10 Places Worth A Day Trip From Tokyo!

1. Cross the Tokyo Bay from via the Tokyo Bay Ferry!

The Tokyo Bay Ferry is a ferry service that connects the entrance of Tokyo Bay from Kurihama Ferry Terminal in Kanagawa prefecture, to Hamakanaya in Chiba prefecture. This 40 minute ferry trip is almost cruise like, allowing passengers to enjoy the scenery of the region. Bicycles, bikes and cars are allowed on the ferry, making this a fantastic mode of transport for driving trips as well! The Showa-esque (1960s) design of the ferry creates a unique and relaxing atmosphere on the ship.

As the comfortable breeze blows through the deck of the ferry, you can even enjoy a view of the most iconic mountain in Japan, Mount Fuji, if the weather is good!

Kurihama Ferry Terminal

Address: 8-17-20, Kurihama, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Access: 9 minute bus ride from Kurihama Station

2. The amazing flowers of Hitachi Seaside Park

Hitachi Seaside Park is conveniently just 10 minutes from Ajigaura Station by bus, and is an extremely popular location amongst tourists and locals alike. The most iconic characteristic of Hitachi Seaside Park is the flower garden there, especially the Nemophila flowers that can be enjoyed from April to May. Over 4,500,000 bright blue Nemophila flowers will decorate the garden there during the season, allowing visitors to take an amazing photograph with the blue sky and flowers!

If you visit Hitachi Seaside Park in autumn, you will instead be welcomed by deep orange burning bushes instead, which create a completely different atmosphere from the summer season!

Hitachi Seaside Park

Address: 605-4 Mawatari, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture

Access: 10 minute bus from Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Minato Line, Ajigaura Station

3. Fuji Shibazakura Festival - The pink flowers and Mount Fuji

The Fuji Shibazakura Festival is held annually at Minamitsuru in Yamanashi prefecture. Shibazakura refers to a type of Sakura-like flowers which bloom during April to May. During season, the bright pink flowers will bloom and the Fuji Shibazakura Festival will be held from 15 April to 28 May in 2017. Over 50 choices of local food will be available, as well as various pop-culture cafes.

Located just to the west of the Fuji Shibazakura Festival hall is a lake called Ryujinike, which will provide a beautiful reflection of the Shibazakuras and mountains around when the water is calm. The biggest highlight of the place, however, will be the amazing view of the bright pink Shibazakura together with Japan’s famous Mount Fuji!

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Address: 212, Motosu, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture

Access: 35 minute drive from Kawaguchiko Station

4. Experience tea leaf picking at Kuraya Narusawa

Tea is one of the integral parts of Japanese culture, and over at Kuraya Narusawa located in Shizuoka prefecture, you can experience tea leaf picking from April to June. Shizuoka is one of the famous prefectures for green tea in Japan, and at Kuraya Narusawa, visitors will be able to dress up in the traditional tea picking costume to pick the tea leaves.

Right after picking them, the freshly picked tea leaves will be prepared on the spot, allowing visitors to enjoy the best green tea available in the country. There are also other tea products such as ice cream available.

Kuraya Narusawa

Address: 272-1 Naka, Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Access: 20 minute walk from Izu-Nagaoka Station

5. The delicious strawberries of Chumakita Tomitano Orchards

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Chumakita Tomitano Orchards is located in Saitama prefecture and is an orchard with over 50 years of history. Over here, various species of strawberries are cultivated and it is most famous for the strawberry picking session that visitors can take part in. There are a total of about 7 strawberry species available in Chumakita Tomitano Orchards that can be enjoyed from November all the way to May – almost half of the year, making this a fantastic place to visit even if your schedule is very packed.

Not only can you enjoy strawberry picking at Chumakita Tomitano Orchards, there are also various fresh home made products such as strawberry creams and snacks available that will serve as fantastic souvenirs!

Chumakita Tomitano Orchards

Address: 1666 Maita, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture

Access: 20 minute bus from Chichibu Railway Onohara Station

6. Sunrise, Mount Fuji and great open air onsen

Hottarakashi Onsen is located in Yamanashi prefecture and is the perfect place for those who love nature and onsen. The open air onsen there provides a panoramic view of the splendid forests and mountains around it, including Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji. At night, the sky will be filled with stars, and the breathtaking sight of sunset and sunrise can be enjoyed from the onsen as well. The alkaline onsen there is filled with minerals and is said to make one’s skin smooth too!

Located just 10 minutes from Yamanashishi Station by car, or only 2 hours from Tokyo, this place is perfect for those who want to be immersed in nature and have a quick get-away from the hectic city life.

Hottarakashi Onsen

Address: 1669-18, Yatsubo, Yamanashi City, Yamanashi Prefecture

Access: 10 minute drive from JR Chuo Main Line Yamanashishi Station

7. Feed lions at Fuji Safari Park!

Fuji Safari Park is perhaps one of the most famous Safari Parks in Japan. The safari park is split into 2 zones – the Safari Zone and the Fureai Zone. At the Fureai Zone, which means interactive zone, visitors can interact with various animals such as Capybaras, Wallabies and Kangaroos. Fuji Safari Park is also famous for the Jungle Bus at the Safari Zone, where visitors will get into caged buses and drive through a unique zone filled with animals such as bears and lions! Tongs will be provided to visitors to feed these animals through the cage – this is an experience that cannot be enjoyed in your regular zoos!

A great view of Mount Fuji can be appreciated from Fuji Safari Park too, and this is definitely a place worth considering for families with children!

Fuji Safari Park

Address: 2255-27, Suyama, Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Access: 35 minute bus from Gotenba Station

Official site

8. Craft your own Mashikoyaki at Tsukamoto Togeitaiken School

The Mashikoyaki is a traditional pottery from Mashiko City in Tochigi prefecture. During spring and autumn, there will be pottery festivals held at Mashiko where tourists and locals gather to admire the most beautiful potteries in Japan. At Tsukamoto Togeitaiken School, you will be able to craft your very own Mashikoyaki under the guidance of experienced professionals. You can create your own unique cup, plates and bowls during the 90-minute course and add your own favorite color too. The potteries will then be dried and fired by the staffs and subsequently delivered to your home in about 2 months time.

Tsukamoto Togeitaiken School

Address: 4264 Mashiko, Mashiko, Haga District, Tochigi Prefecture

Access: 4 minutes on the bus, followed by a 15 minute walk, from Moka Railway Line Mashiko Station

9. The power spots in Togakushi Shrine

Togakushi Shrine is a shrine located in Nagano prefecture with various power spots around. Two of the prominent spots in the shrine are the Oshinboku and Sanbonsugi trees. These huge, thick trees are thought to be about 700 and 800 years old respectively. Another prominent spot in the shrine is the Sazare Waterfall, which is thought to have the powers of one of the gods of water.

Finally, the Meotosugi, literally translating to “husband and wife” sugi pine tree, is a uniquely shaped tree that is split into two from the roots. This tree is thought to have powers of the god of marriage – definitely worth visiting if you are with your special person!

Togakushi Shrine

Address: 3506 Togakushi, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture

Access: 1 hour bus ride from JR Nagano Station

10. The amazing scenery from Mount Nokogiri

Mount Nokogiri is located in Chiba prefecture and can be accessed in 3 ways. You can either drive all the way to the summit, hike up from JR Hama-Kanaya station entrance, or take a ropeway up via the Nokogiriyama Ropeway. There are several routes that you can hike up, and while the mountain is only about 330 meters (1,082 feet) high, it is recommended to get proper hiking shoes as the routes can be quite challenging at several sections.

At the summit of the mountain, there is a popular spot called the “Jigoku Nozoki” which literally translate to “the peep of hell”. It is located at an overhang of the mountain where one can look down the cliff. There are railings to hold on to for safety, and while it may be quite scary, the excitement of staring straight down the cliff is definitely worth experiencing! A panoramic view of the mountains and forest around the region is offered from the summit as well.

Furthermore, the entire mountain is actually part of the Nippon-Dera – the oldest temple in Japan, and located at the top of the mountain is the biggest Buddha in the country. Mount Nokogiri is definitely worth visiting if you are one who loves the nature and tradition of Japan!

Nokogiriyama Ropeway

Address: 4052-1 Kanaya, Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture

Access: 9 minute walk from Uchibo Line Hama-Kanaya Station

Don’t worry if your schedule is packed!

These 10 spots introduced are all convenient and fantastic for a day-trip. If your time in Japan is limited because you are there on business, or if your schedule is packed because of having too many places you want to visit, it is surely worth considering these spots as they will allow you to maximize your day fully!