5 great day trips from Tokyo using the Japan Rail Pass

Published on : 25/02/2025
by : Joshua

Bridge in Nikko, Tochigi
@Pixabay/ MalditoBarbon

A majority of travelers to Japan will find themselves in Tokyo, and as the most populous city in the world, a whole trip can be made out of a stay here! However, some of the best destinations in all of Japan are easily accessible from Tokyo and make great day trips, and what's better, these trips are made easy with the Japan Rail Pass!

Tokyo is the most populous city in the world, with over 14 million residents calling it home. This makes it a hub for culture and amusement, with countless neighborhoods with a distinct culture and appeal. This is Tokyo’s main draw, and it attracts millions of tourists every year, but the true essence of Japan can be found in many places within the country, and fortunately, there are amazing destinations to check out just a stones throw away from the nation’s capital.

To get there (and anywhere in Japan, really), the Japan Rail Pass is a popular choice for many travelers. This pass is distributed by Japan Railways and gives access to their large network of public transportation throughout the country, including the famous Shinkansen bullet train! Providing great flexibility, convenience, and cost-savings for wide-ranging itineraries, the Japan Rail Pass is a valuable tool for those exploring Japan.

Read more about the Japan Rail Pass here.

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Kamakura, Kanagawa

At Kamakura, visitors can explore famous locations, including the lively Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, the tranquil bamboo grove at Hokokuji Temple, and the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) at Kōtoku-in. Visitors can try local specialties like matcha-flavored snacks and sweet potato soft serve by taking a walk down Komachi Street. Kamakura was one of Japan’s earliest capitals, the center of culture and power from the year 1180.

On the picturesque Enoden railway, Enoshima Island is only a short ride away for a seaside getaway. A bit further from the town’s center, Raitei is a soba restaurant located within a mountainside Japanese garden. During certain seasons, produce cultivated from the garden, such as bamboo shorts, is featured on the restaurant’s menu.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura
@Pixabay/ @darkness_s

The bamboo forest of Hokukuji
@Wikimedia

With its combination of historic temples, vistas of the sea, and a relaxed vibe, Kamakura is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle and is conveniently located near Tokyo thanks to the Japan Rail Pass. The JR Yokosuka Line runs directly from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station, a trip that takes around an hour and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Yokohama, Kanagawa

Many may be surprised to learn that Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture is actually the second most populated city in all of Japan, with a population of around 4 million people. Many may also be surprised to know that Yokohama is very easily accessible from Tokyo, often needing just one train from major departure points like Shinjuku Station and Tokyo Station and covered with the Japan Rail Pass! The journey takes only around 30 minutes via lines like the JR Tokaido Line or JR Yokosuka Line.

But despite the close proximity, Yokohama has a distinct identity from Tokyo, still with an urban environment but with a more laidback atmosphere. Much of Yokohama is located around a port, which is a defining feature of the city.

Akarenga Warehouse in Yokohama, Japan
@Wikimedia

Chinatown in Yokohama, Japan
@Pixabay/ meguraw645

Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
@Pixabay/ ulissescs

It was here that Commodore Perry of the United States Navy came to Japan in the 19th century in order to open the island nation up to trade, and all around there are remnants of that event and influence. The area on the water is called the Minato Mirai, and nearby, the Akarenga (red brick) warehouse is a great place to shop and leisurely spend some time!

Yokohama is also largely notable for its illustrious Chinatown that is packed to the brim with delicious and authentic food. Dumplings and barbeque can be found in abundance, and the architecture is well worth a walk around the area. In downtown Yokohama, the Cup Noodle Museum is a favorite for visitors, providing information on the history of cup noodles along with the chance to customize a cup of noodles to bring home!

Karuizawa, Nagano

Going towards the Japan Sea Coast from Tokyo, travelers will go across the island of Honshu and enter a region of Japan that is largely characterized by rolling mountains. The Japanese Alps, more than just a defining geographical landmark, play an important role in the culture and environment of the prefectures that house them, and Nagano is one of the prefectures that the mountains are most heavily associated with. Within Nagano, Karuizawa is a beloved, tranquil, and nature-rich retreat from Tokyo, just 1 hour away via the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train departing from Tokyo or Ueno Station that is included with the Japan Rail Pass!

Shiraito Falls in Autumn, Karuizawa, Nagano
@flickr/ reggiepen

Mount Hanare in Karuizawa, Nagano
@Wikimedia

Hiroshi Senju Museum, Karuizawa Nagano
@Wikimedia

Karuizawa Picture Book Museum
@Wikipedia

Nagano is one of the very few prefectures in Japan that is fully landlocked with no coast, but it makes up for this with picturesque mountains and lush forests that span over rolling valleys and rivers. Karuizawa is a great representation of Nagano’s rich nature, and during fall especially, the surrounding forests become a sea of burgundy and patina-tinged gold. A great location for a hike, Shiraito Falls are a must when in the area. These falls are distinct not because of their height but because of their width, cascading down a steep angle almost appearing like a manmade structure. A bus out to the falls from Karuizawa Station costs 720 yen and takes around 25 minutes.

Karuizawa is also a location that seamlessly intertwines contemporary artistry with gorgeous nature. Throughout the town are stylish yet modern museums that often have outdoor sections. The Karuizawa Picturebook Museum is a whimsical attraction, great for all ages. The Hiroshi Senju Museum is a great contemporary art museum with sleak architecture that is just as much an attraction as the featured art pieces. The museum’s eponymous founder is a legend of Japan’s art scene, former president of the Kyoto University of Art & Design.

Atami, Shizuoka

Shizuoka is a prefecture famous for being one of the homes of the famous Mount Fuji. However, by its border to Kanagawa on the east, near Hakone, is Atami, a coastal city with pristine ocean waters on one side and then warm Onsen hot springs inland. Atami is a testament to Japan’s geographic diversity and only takes less than an hour with the Tokaido Shinkansen that is included with the Japan Rail Pass!

As a coastal city, Atami’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in the country, and the scenery of Atami Sun Beach is some of the most standout in the area. Lined with palm trees and resorts, this is a spot reminiscent of some of the most beloved tropical destinations.

MOA Museum of Art in Atami, Shizuoka
@Wikimedia

Great for both a swim and a sandy stroll, admiring the gorgeous waters of the Sagami Bay is one of the best ways to spend your time in Atami!

From sea level to atop the hills that surround the area, Atami is also home to one of Japan’s most lauded museums: the MOA Museum of Art! Here, traditional and contemporary aesthetics blend with some of the most unique scenery in the country. The complex consists of multiple buildings built upon the high hilltops of the area, with bold architecture and a Japanese garden area with a few restaurants and cafes, walking through the grounds of the museum is just as much of a treat as the exhibitions. The collections themselves cover a pretty wide range of mediums, from paintings to lacquerware and pottery, but for the most part, featured works will have Japanese origins. Within the museum as well, a reconstruction of the 16th-century Golden Tea Room can be found, a famous artifact from Japanese history that was a portable chashitsu (tea room).

Nikko, Tochigi

Nikko is one of the most recognizable destinations when talking about day trips from Tokyo. A bastion for natural scenery and history, Nikko is a great representation of some of the most indicative elements of Japanese culture. With rich valleys and religious sites sprinkled throughout, a trip to Nikko is like journeying into the Japan many see in film and other media. Like many of the other destinations on this list, Nikko is accessible with the Shinkansen bullet train, specifically the Tohoku Shinkansen that departs from Tokyo Station and passes Ueno Station.

For nature, Nikko National Park is, of course, going to be a premier location to go check out.

Toshogu Shrine, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture
@Pixabay/ icenordic

Lake Chuzenji, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture
@Wikimedia

Beautiful lakes, forests, waterfalls, and wildlife call the park home, and also within it is Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to the famous Ieyasu Tokugawa from the Edo Period. This shrine was built after his passing and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors to the shrine will immediately notice the structure’s intricacy and ornate detailing, with golden accents and complex formations accentuating the complex’s architecture. It stands out against the backdrop of Nikko’s rich natural scenery.

Another key part of Nikko’s geography is the picturesque Lake Chuzenji. This lake was formed around 20,000 years ago as a result of the eruption of Mount Nantai. This is the highest-eleveation lake in all of Japan at 1,269 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by a hiking path that is a popular attraction for nature-loving residents of Tochigi Prefecture as well as the nearby urban centers. Summer and autumn are key times to visit as the blooming flowers of the former and gorgeous leaves during the latter highlight the area’s natural beauty.