I’m visiting Japan for almost two weeks at the start of November! Unfortunately I will only have one day free for a Tokyo area day trip. I’m finding it rather hard to choose between the three options below. Which option would you pick? Do you have any other suggestions that might be even better?
1) Jigoku Nozoki
Great hiking and nature, temple complex, giant Buddha statue
2) Nikkō Tōshō-gū
17th century Shinto shrine, presumably surrounded by nature
3) Hakone & Kamakura
Hiking, views of Mt. Fuji, onsens, temples, shrines, Enoshima island
24 comments
Kamakura AS a daytrip is probably the best option. You get a mix of beach, temples, gardens, and the history that comes with it. You won’t really be able to do Hakone the same day though, unless you go there the night before and head to Kamakura the next day, or go to Hakone right after Kamakura to stay the night. It’s not super feasible.
1. Nokogiriyama is ok hiking, nothing super special. Yes there is a big stone buddha at Nihon-ji, but would not be my first choice. If you want to do a hike, maybe check out Mount Takao or Mout Oyama, they seems to be easier to access and maybe a bit more to do around these area.
2. Nikko is great for nature and would be even better with a second day as you could go for onsen, hiking and see the waterfall, in one day, I would focus on the temple/shine area, but it is quite nice. Solid choice. I think there is ryokan with onsen closer to Nikko station so might be worth checking if some offer day use of their onsen.
3. Hakone in itself it easily 1-2 days and Kamakura/Enoshima is also easily 1-2 days. So chose one or the other. Both do have some hiking options, but there is also enough to see to not even go hiking. While there is not as many choice and likely not as much of a reputation for it, there is a onsen on Enoshima too, and possible view on Mount Fuji. Hakone would hone less temple/shrines, but usually people are looking to do the boat ride on the lake, check out owakudani and maybe some one of the art museum.
Karuizawa. It’s brilliant
Kamakura/Enoshima
My guests who are into history enjoyed day trips to Kamakura, Narita, Kawagoe, Sawara.
Nokogiriyama has great scenery and some huge statuary, but not world-heritage worthy like the other destinations.
Mt Nokogiri via the ferry is a wonderful day trip nobody knows about
Nokogiryama is ok but I think there are better options for what you want. If you really want a mountain I’d look at Mt Takao or Mt Mitake or Mt Jinba.
I personally love Nikko, the shrines are amazing. However you seem to mostly be after nature and while there is some around the shrines, the best nature stuff in the area is the waterfall and hiking area around. I don’t think you could do both of these in one day. If you could add overnight it’s definitely possible though and you could look at staying in ryokan with onsen if that’s of interest.
Hakone and Kamakura is too much for a daytrip. You could technically do Hakone alone as a daytrip but it’s better as an overnight imo as there’s a lot to see and do there. I’d suggest Kamakura and Enoshima are your best options overall for a daytrip. Easy to get to, nice shrines and temples and there’s some hiking options and nature too. It would be my pick.
Enoshima and Kamakura from that list, but you may also want to consider Jigukodani Snow Monkey Park near Nagono. My friend and I did it as a day trip from Tokyo. https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/snow-monkeys-tokyo-to-jigokudani/
My vote will be Kamakura but that’s because I love small towns with a good variety of things to see. It also had some interesting food selections. It’s not too far from Tokyo and easy to get around so you can get through a lot in one day.
Hakone and Nikko are doable as day trips but they are probably better suited to an overnight stay.
I haven’t been to Hakone yet. But from the other 3 choices they are all pretty similar but Kamakura probably being the easiest to get to. You just need to specify exactly what you enjoy; hiking, sightseeing, Buddha temples, Shinto shrines, waterfalls, beaches, shopping, theme parks, the tv show Top Gear, restaurants or other things??.
I’d hella do #3. Do Kamakura, then Enoshima — totally do this ride from Kamakura forward: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Dt3sAdK2s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Dt3sAdK2s)
I agree with others that it’d be a bit much to squeeze Hakone into the mix.
3. that one sounds the most peaceful to me
Hakone/Gora are pretty sick, spent a day and night up there
I love Nikki myself- it’s just so beautiful. And the architecture is quite unique in Japan. Not much else is quite that heavily decorated.
As others have mentioned- Hakone and Kamakura is not feasible as a day trip. Too much for a single day. I don’t even recommend Hakone alone as a day trip. That said, Kamakura and Enoshika are superb. Nikko is my personal choice, but you won’t regret Kamakura if you are feeling beach over mountains.
Kamakura.
Ride the train in AM. Temples and tourist stuff during the day. Wind down with a drink and sunset on the beach in the PM. Roam the city again at magic hour at the lights come on. Catch the train back to Tokyo… but jump off in Yokohama for Chinatown for dinner and a harbor walk. Then jump back on the train to Tokyo….ride it the rest of the way in for late night drinks 😉
Of those, Nikko temples and shrines plus the lake if you have time or Kamakura (temples plus beach/Enoshima). Hakone is also nice but it’s separate from Kamakura.
Nokogiriyama is fine but it’s not worth it compared to the others for me. There’s literally nothing else to do around there, whereas the other places there’s plenty to do.
Definitely Kamakura & Enoshima.
Hakone as 2nd choice. If you prioritize what you want to see, it’s doable as a day trip.
Kamakura & Hakone in 1 day = not possible unless you just want to see the area around the stations.
Do not assume Fuji San will be visible. We have been twice and seen once. Paid for a Fuji view saw fog.
I suggest full day at Hakone using the Hakone Freepass!
I adore Nikko and will be beautiful in November but for a day trip I think you want Kamakura
We did the Hakun and, kamalra and loved it but we did it during nice weather I think it’ll be pretty cold when you get there though they may have Hot Springs
I visited Hakone on a day trip and it was incredible, so I’m always gonna vouch for Mt. Fuji. Especially if you’re interested in being somewhere in nature/exploring a shrine. The only downside is obviously it can get pretty busy/crowded, especially if you want to take pictures in specific (tourist-y?) spots. But early mornings are peaceful and crowd-free, and even with a crowd I found it a wonderfully positive experience.
Hakone and Kamakura 110%. Amazing nature and lots to do tourist-wise. Also, Enoshima island is awesome and super peaceful.
I recommend Hakone alone as an excellent day trip. Get an early start, leaving Tokyo by 8am, take the old fashioned train up the mountain, then the cable car to the sulfer springs at the top of the mountain, then back down the other side, cross the lake via pirate ship, walk through town to the outdoor historical museum, then bus back to the train station.
Moving at a decent rate, you should be back on the train to Tokyo around sunset, and can eat dinner back in the city. If it’s a clear day, you’ll get great views of Fuji, too.
My very close second pick is Kamakura/Enoshima. Enoshima is great, but Hakone tops Kamakura in terms of uniqueness.
Nikko is very popular, but I don’t think it quite lives up to the hype, unless you’re very interested in temples.