6 best day trips from Tokyo

Tokyo's Shinkansen network makes Kyoto, Hakone, and Nikko comfortable day trips. The Hakone Free Pass and Nikko All-Area Pass are great value.

How: 90 min Romance Car from Shinjuku Travel time: 1h 30m When to go: Year-round; clearest Fuji views Nov-Feb

Onsen + Mt. Fuji views + ropeway + boat ride on Lake Ashi

How: 2h Tobu Liberty train from Asakusa Travel time: 2h When to go: Year-round; fall foliage Oct-Nov peak

Toshogu Shrine + waterfalls + Edo-period architecture in cedar forest

How: 1h JR train from Shinjuku Travel time: 1h When to go: Year-round; hydrangeas in June

Giant Buddha + Zen temples + beach town vibes

How: 30 min train Travel time: 30 min When to go: Year-round

Japan's biggest Chinatown + harbor + Cup Noodle Museum

How: 2h bus from Shinjuku in season Travel time: 2h When to go: Jul-mid-Sep climbing season; Mar-Nov bus access

Get to 2,300m elevation on Fuji without climbing

How: 2h 15m Nozomi Shinkansen Travel time: 2h 15m When to go: Spring + fall; book hotels for overnight if possible

Long but doable for one focused area (Arashiyama or Higashiyama)

Best day trips from Tokyo