The bustling metropolis of Tokyo stretches from Tokyo Bay in the east to the Okutama Mountains in the west. Beyond these mountains lies Yamanashi Prefecture. You’ll find Kanagawa Prefecture in the south, Saitama Prefecture in the north and Chiba Prefecture in the East. You can even find tropical islands in Tokyo! Therefore, you don’t have to go far if you want to do some exploring outside the concrete jungle of central Tokyo.

Here a few rustic destinations within reach from Tokyo:
For hiking aficionados, the sacred mountain of Mount Mitake within Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park has numerous trails leading to Musashi Mitake Shrine.

Adventure seekers will love Nokogiriyama in Chiba Prefecture. Directly translated as “Saw Mountain,” Nokogiriyama is home to Japan’s largest Buddha and offers a spectacular look into hell at a jagged overhang known as “Jigoku-Nozoki.”

For spectacular views of the ever majestic Mount Fuji, breathtaking views of nature, and hot springs relaxation, head to Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Nikko, in Tochigi Prefecture, is famous for the beautifully crafted Toshogu Shrine dedicated to the first Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu. You might also recognize this shrine as the one with the “Three Wise Monkeys!

When planning a day trip within the Kanto region, you will likely find the same comforts and convenience of central Tokyo. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to be prepared.

Familiarize yourself with how to buy a bus or train ticket. You’ll definitely want a map to navigate your way, so grab one at the train station or use an app like Google Maps or Hyperdia for making your way to your destination.

Make sure you have a fully charged portable battery for charging your electronic devices as well as your pocket Wi-Fi router. Japan is making great strides in its efforts to keep travelers connected with reliable Wi-Fi during their stay, however bear in mind that if you’re out in the countryside you’ll likely find public Wi-Fi hard to come by.

There’s no need to fumble with loose change when boarding a bus if you’ve precharged your electronic Pasmo or Suica IC card. However, small independently run shops and food stalls may not accept electronic money or credit cards.

Therefore, it’s best to have loose change or a few bills on hand. We suggest bringing around 30,000 yen to purchase snacks, souvenirs. It may seem excessive but it’s best to have spare cash on hand to cover unexpected things like taxi fare, staying overnight or even a hospital visit.

Also, depending on the season, consider bringing the following, which can be found at most convenience stores or drugstores:

・ Compact umbrella (oritatami kasa / 折りたたみ傘)
・ Sunscreen (hiyakedome / 日焼け止め)
・ Insect repellent (mushi yoke / 虫除け)
・ Hand warmers (kairo / カイロ)


On your way to the station, head to the convenience store for drinks and snacks to munch on during your train or bus ride!

When you arrive at your destination, you may be eager to start exploring, but following these tips can prevent your day trip from turning into a disaster.

Some train stations do not have a station master or staff. While unmanned stations may be a novel concept to you, do know what you are expected to pay for your fare just as you would at a standard train station.

If there are staff present at your station, use the opportunity to ask them for directions on getting to your destination! Just say, maigo ni narashita. Annai shite moraemasen ka? (I’m lost. Could you help me?)

There may also be a tourist center or kiosk nearby where you can ask for directions and grab a few maps and brochures.

Be sure to take photos of the kanji for your station or bus stop. This is particularly helpful with bus stops, as not all signs feature English, let alone text to assist in reading Japanese characters.

It is also a good idea to take a photo of the train or bus schedule so that you will know when you’ll need to return to the train station or bus stop. In certain areas, the amount of buses or trains may not come as frequently as they do in Tokyo.

You should also note that bus and trains in Japan typically operate on two different schedules, a weekday (平日) schedule and a weekend/holiday (土日休) schedule. You may also find a schedules featuring three time tables: weekday (平日), Saturday (土曜), and Sunday/holiday (日曜・休日).

Set an alarm on your phone or portable device as reminder to let you know when it’s time to head back to the train station or bus stop. This tip will especially come in handy if you plan to return to Tokyo on the last train or bus.

Be sure to go to the bathroom when arriving at a train station or when you see a convenience store. Public toilets may be few and far in between en route to your final destination.

Likewise, you are sure to encounter Japanese-style squat toilets. Rather than be alarmed or inconvenienced, see it as an opportunity to experience Japanese culture!

Lastly, be sure to dispose of your trash (empty bottles, snack wrappers, bento boxes) when you arrive at your train station so that you will not have to carry it. There’s sure to be a vending machine at your station so buy a few drinks

Note that some restaurants and cafes and shops, may close for a few hours midday. Familiarize yourself with these kanji: 営業中 (eigyouchuu) means “we’re open” while 準備中(junbichuu) means “in preparation (for lunch/dinner) service.”

Don’t let menus written only in Japanese intimate you! Many times these restaurants will give you an authentic Japanese experience that you can’t find in Tokyo!

To get the chef’s recommendations, ask Osusume wa nan desu ka? (What do you recommend?). If you’re feeling adventurous, say Ninki no ryori o onegai shimasu which means “I’ll have what’s popular here.”

Use this opportunity to chat with locals or even ask for directions.

Enjoy your day trip from Tokyo!