When you first hear the word Japan, theres little doubt one of the first visions to spring to mind is an incredible image of Mt Fuji and her mirrored reflection on the calm lake below, framed by pink hues of delicate cherry blossoms or fiery red autumn foliage. If you havent had the chance to see some beautiful traditional temples and shrines dont worry, youll definitely be surprised to stumble on beautiful sights too on your path! The onsen town is compact with many Edo-style shops and vendors selling local goods and traditional items. Order your Round-trip Seibu Kawagoe Pass here. It also gives you several chances to experience the fun and intrigue of, The best part is some of these hidden gems feature alternatives to popular spots (like Kodai-ji Temple has its own uncrowded bamboo grove to rival the emerald hues at Arashiyama). Local campgrounds are on hand to serve hot refreshments and cups of hot sake to visitors. Youll be able to do it in a few hours at Tobu World Square. othree, (CC BY 2.0), via flickr. The quaint town of Nagano developed around the temple over time and is now one of the few remaining pilgrim sites in Japan. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It even comes in the shape of a traditional Japanese omamori (lucky charm)! These clay buildings with decorative tiles were created to store trade goods and protect them from fire. 3. Towards the end of isolationist Edo Period (1603 1868), Yokohamas port was the first open to foreign trade, allowing it to grow into a thriving city. -Walk around Tokyo Imperial Palace Gardens. Please check ourdisclosurepagefor more information. With an average temperature of about 5C in January, winter weather in Tokyo can be chilly but, thanks to the vast majority of sunny days, it's quite enjoyable. pre-purchasing a reloadable Suica (IC) card, Click here to order a 24, 48 or 72-hour Tokyo Subway pass, things to do in Yokohama during the day & night, Order your1-Day Yokohama Enjoy Pass here, Order your 2-Day Yokohama and Kamakura Enjoy Pass here, Order your Hakone-Kamakura 3 Day Pass here , Order your 2-Day Yokohama and Kamakura Enjoy Pass here , Click here for Hitachi Seaside Park & Mito Kairakuen Day Trip from Tokyo, Click here to purchase your Nikko All Area Pass , visiting and what to expect at Tobu World Square, Make the most of your Nikko day trip from Tokyo and visit. Must-See Tokyo 1-Day Full Itinerary. Day Trip Ski Resorts Accessible from Tokyo - Japan Wonder Travel Blog Just an hour and a half from Tokyo by train, Chichibu is a great day trip destination to immerse yourself in nature. Get unlimited travel on Odakyu and Enoden transport (which are not covered by the, (Great Buddha) of Kamakura, a designated National Treasure (you can even go inside!). 97 Reviews Shinjuku City, Japan Save to Wishlist Likely to Sell Out From $103.40 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Reserve Now & Pay Later Secure your spot while staying flexible Free cancellation Up to 24 hours in advance. Star-gazing in Tokyo may be difficult with all the bright lights, but it isn't impossible. The main reason Tokyoites head to the Yuzawa area is for a spot of skiing or snowboarding, the season starts from mid-December and finishes around early May. It's "hontoni-oishi" (no-lie super delish) food, the nightlife and its quirky experience are aplenty. Why not combine your visit to Gotemba with exploring some nearby cultural treasures & scenery? If you arent satisfied enough with what you have seen so far (impossible!) I may earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase and if you do, thanks for your support! Its also an excellent destination to enjoy an onsen experience (or two)! It passes many tourist attractions, great nature spots . 1 hour from Tokyo on Tokyo Metro & Keio railway line When most people think of Japan and snow probably the first image that will come to mind is that of Mt. As you visit each temple or shrine you are left with a deep impression of silence only broken by the sound of your footsteps sinking into the deep snow. Despite this, Nagano transforms into a gorgeous emerald beauty in the off-season and is the ideal base for treks and activities and the snow monkeys! What to Do in Tokyo in Winter | Japan Guide 2023 | Kyuhoshi If youre from a country that doesnt experience snow during the colder months, you may wish to add Gala Yuzawa to your itinerary! 10 Best Things to Do in Tokyo in Winter - Japan Wonder Travel Blog The Suica Card can also be used in cities outside Tokyo, too. The streets of Tokyo can feel like mini day trips in themselves! By the end of this guide lets see if I manage to convince you, too. This helps with the costs of running my blog so I can keep my content free for you. Utilize the time saved by exploring the traditional, Japanese style garden of Sankeien that resonates with the essence of Japan and go shopping, Yokohama is the best place to shop in Japan. As well as nostalgic games, youre also able enjoy the historical accuracy of traditional architecture and taste delicacies popular during the Edo era at the specialty restaurants throughout the village. First-timers are welcome too, with many resorts offering beginners classes in English. Gala Yuzawa is not just about snow though, you can go on a snowmobile sleigh tour for 500, experience a guide tour wearing traditional Japanese snow shoes for 2,000, or go on a snow trekking adventure for 3,000. Miharashi Hill is perhaps the most picturesque spot, and for good reason. Hoto, a local delicacy found in Yamanashi Prefecture, is a special variation on a typical Japanese hotpot. This guide to day trips from Tokyo forms part of my detailed 6 days in Tokyo itinerary, which is also part of my larger 2 weeks in Japan itinerary with focus on destinations along Japans Golden Route. But were you aware of the number of privately owned railways in the country and that the JR Pass will only cover journeys on their own lines (with some exceptions)? If youre fortunate enough to visit during a time when Mt Fuji decides to peep out from her usual cloudy blanket, youll be rewarded with spectacular views from many vantage points around Hakone. Once you arrive at Hakone, navigating around the area is a very simple loop with clear signage. Fuji. It has a few natural attractions and a few shrines to relax after the hustle and bustle in Tokyo. Have unlimited use of the hop-on-hop-of sightseeing bus with the Matsumoto bus pass. While there are obvious year-round day trips from Tokyo, the surrounding areas do have a few ace cards up their sleeves for curious travellers wishing to experience magic by exploring off the beaten path in Japan. Hakone-Yumoto is the gateway to Hakone, and with good reason! Alternatively, if you prefer to take a guided tour to Hitachi Seaside park and Kairaku-en, the below tour may be an option for you. Get yourself and your kids involved in the activities and transform into a ninja, samurai and try to escape the Ninja Trick Maze! From Kawaguchiko Station take a bus bound for Saiko or Aokigahara, and get off at Saikoyachounomori Park. Instead, I highly recommend being invisible here and doing a self-guided tour to avoid contributing to, Planning to visit Kamakura and Hakone during your trip to Japan? The. If you want to make the most of your next travel experience, learn how you can be invisible here! Witness monks morning prayers at Zenko-ji. Your email address will not be published. -Head to Airport ( Plane Departs at 22:30) We are looking into food places to consider reserving soon aswell so any ideas there would be helpful. 2 hours from Tokyo on Tobu Kinugawa line The Shinkyo Bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the red color of the bridge really stands out against the surrounding white of the snow. This guide to the must do day trips from Tokyo contains some affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. I honestly cant stress this enough there is SO much more to Kyoto than Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The Japanese consider the mountain to be its most sacred volcano. Reprinting, republishing or copying of any content on this site, whether whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Cable cars to the top of the mountains allow punters to appreciate the spectacular snowy views while sipping on hot amazake. If you can, try some gyoza in Utsunomiya it is really famous for it! Mount Fuji is the unrivalled symbol of Japan and a stunning natural landmark. Keep in mind that the Japanese are usually extremely nice and helpful and will do their best to help you. We're Alice and Simone, a married couple from Paris & Rome traveling the world since summer 2016. -Check out Tsukiji stalls in the morning. If travelling onward to Fuji Subaru 5th Station (the base of Mt.Fuji) you will need to take a local bus which will get you there in about 50 minutes for 1,500 one way. 9:00am: Travel up to Asakusa. Wrapping up and trying some delicious warm sake is a pretty perfect way to imagine a wintery trip to Japan. Get unlimited travel on Odakyu and Enoden transport (which are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass) and receive discounts to 70 different attractions in these areas. For Tokyoites looking to make the most of the snow, head to Karuizawa for a quick jaunt. 8 Day Tokyo Itinerary for First-Timer - Day Trips? - Tripadvisor With just one app, TRAVEL JAPAN Wi-Fi which provides you with auto-connectable 200,000+ Wi-Fi hotspots across Japan makes your stay much happier and smarter ! Even those who dont partake in the sporty side of things can enjoy the parks and resorts. As a rare occurrence in Japan, its actually faster to take this day trip from Tokyo by bus rather than train! 30 Things To Do Near Tokyo: Best Day-Trips & Overnight Getaways - SNOW I have therefore planned a quick organised day trip of Kyoto in a day from Tokyo. Yomiuri Land theme park in Kanagawa Prefecture is famed for its annual illuminations that turn the park into a sparkling world every winter. Here are five adventure-packed itineraries for a Winter Day Trip from Tokyo. The 1-Day Yokohama Enjoy Pass offers discounts to four of seven major attractions. However, this is my first trip to Japan and Kyoto and Tokyo were two destinations on top of my list the moment I started planning for the journey. Weekend Relaxation: 7 Easy Trips from Tokyo to See Snow This Winter 5 Best Day Trips from Tokyo | Cond Nast Traveler Gala Yuzawa is actually just one out of about 20 ski resorts in this area, and most of them even have onsen hot springs! Have you always wanted to visit the Seven Wonders of the World? 5. Lake Kawaguchiko from Tokyo is the easiest to access of the five. The best known is the Misotsuchi icicle formation, the only formation that was formed completely naturally. How many of these have you heard of? Nikko - Traditional Japanese Temples and Shrines Amongst Snowy Mountains 1. This makes for a surprisingly thrilling spectacle. Heres one for the little and not-so-little ones! Catch your fortune in a wooden fish at ancient, Ride a Sakura Ship along cherry blossom-lined, Often overlooked by first-time tourists to Japan, hugging Tokyo Bays southern shores lies the port city of. ~, What to Do in Tokyo in June 2023: Roundup of Tokyo Area Events and Festivals, Incredible Trip! This is up from an average . During the Otaki Ice Festival, the icicles are lit up into magical frozen falls. Teppanyaki Japanese wagyu beed, American-style grilled dishes and Italian cuisine can be sampled on site. Fuji from early October you may come across a yeti not an actual yeti mind you! Must-See Tokyo 1-Day Itinerary - Truly Tokyo The water in this area is known for its high quality, so you can really enjoy a great bath. Order your1-Day Yokohama Enjoy Pass here 4 Fun Winter Day Trips From Tokyo: Onsen, Snow & More! (2022 Special) And once youre ready to recenter yourself in a traditional garden, spend some time in the gorgeous gardens of the Tsurugaoka Hachimangushrine. For easy access savings the average rate is 2.36% - this is the same average rate as the previous working day; The average one-year fixed Cash ISA rate today is 4.32%. 1.5 hours from Tokyo by bus My 4 day Kyoto itinerary allows plenty of time to see the popular spots before and after the hordes of day-trippers flock to them. Recommended Route from Tokyo: Take the Hokuriku-Shinkansen from either the Tokyo, Ueno or Omiya Stations to Nagano Station (1 hr 23 min, 8,340). It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Live piano performance can also be enjoyed at an on-site cafe lounge in the day time. recommend Kyoto as a side trip from Tokyo. Highly recommended isKoshu Hoto Kosaku. Learn more about skiing at Nozawa Onsen. One of the icicles is 200 meters tall and 30 meters wide. Alternatively you can take the Tokaido Line to Odawara Station and then the Hakone Tozan Line, this takes an hour and 47 minutes and costs 1,800 one way. While it smells like eggs, it will also have your skin glowing. Contrasting characteristics of modern, bustling cities and peaceful natural scenery can easily be interwoven into a 2 week or 3 week Japan itineraryto ensure you make the most of your precious travel time. Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma is known for its sulfuric hot spring water. This cable car not only offers beautiful views of Mt.Fuji and the lake, but also passes by Owakudani, a hot steaming volcano. TIP: Keep your eye out for the most Japanese thing youll see in Nagano: A temple-shaped vending machine dispensing omamori (Japanese lucky charms) at Zenko-ji. He is entombed at the ornate Toshogu Shrine in Nikko (near Edo Wonderland andTobu World Square, mentioned above). (except Mt Fuji) so its no surprise the area is known for snowy adventures. Sitting in the shadows of Mt Fuji, Gotemba can often be overlooked by first time visitors to Japan in favour of main shopping metropolises Tokyo and Osaka. Its the real deal. TIP: Do you really want to rush around and contribute to the problem when there are smarter options to see the city? That is SO exciting, Peter! If you absolutely feel as though you need to go in one day, then of course that decision is up to you but I kindly urge you to reconsider. Ruled by the Tokugawa Shogunate from 1603 1868, the Edo Period marked the end of isolationist policy and Tokugawa is credited as one of the three unifiers of Japan. One of the ponds is crystal clear 8 metres deep! Planning to visit Kamakura and Hakone during your trip to Japan? [Video] Beautiful Nikko! Embrace being a foreigner and soak up Japanese culture by stepping back in time at Edo Wonderland. 30 mins from Tokyo on Seibu Railway The 5 best day trips from Tokyo - Lonely Planet - Lonely Planet