Tokyo is one of the most popular destinations in the world, and most would likely associate high rise buildings and amazing cityscape with it. However, did you know that you can also enjoy one of the most pristine and beautiful natural landscapes in Tokyo too? Here are 12 amazing photogenic spots you can visit on a day-trip from Tokyo!
1. A sea of Nemophila flowers at Hitachi Seaside Park
Hitachi Seaside Park is one of the most popular and convenient getaways for a great photographic adventure. Located near Ajigaura Station, Hitachi Seaside Park is best known for its fantastic flower garden. A carpet of 4.5 million Nemophila flowers blooming with bright blue colors will welcome you when you visit the park during its peak season (end of April to mid May and weekends in July and August) and this will definitely spice up your Instagram feed!
Hitachi Seaside Park
Address: 605-4 Onuma Mawatari, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture
Opening Hours: 9:30am - 5:00pm
Access: 20 minute walk from Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Minato Line Ajigaura Station
Distance from Tokyo station: 2 hours by local train
Website: Hitachi Seaside Park
2. Visit the secret waterfall at Yamanoeki Takahara
Yamanoeki Takahara is the perfect place to go for a relaxing hike for a day trip. In a region saturated with greenery, it will wash away all your stress from the daily hectic life. One of the recommended places to go at Yamanoeki Takahara is the Oshiraji Waterfall. It is only 12 minutes away from Yamanoeki Takahara and the amazing emerald green waters are simply stunning! This waterfall, in fact, is not listed on the map, so it is recommended that you ask the staffs at Yamanoeki Takahara for the exact directions there. It is not a difficult route so have no worries.
Oshiraji Waterfall
Address: 991-3 Shimoisano, Yaita, Tochigi
Opening Hours: Please refer to official website
Access: 12 minute walk from Yamanoeki Takahara
Website: Yamanoeki Takahara
3. Stunning flower illumination at Ashikaga Flower Park, Tochigi
Ashikaga Flower Park is a well-known destination worldwide and was in fact selected by CNN as one of the “Dream Destinations for 2014”. A wide array of flowers of different shades of color will welcome you when you visit the park. Not only that, the flower park will be illuminated at night, creating a marvelous harmony of shades and colors. The reflection of the illuminated flowers on the pond there is also perfect for photography.
Ashikaga Flower Park
Address: 607 Hasamacho, Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture
Opening Hours: Please refer to official website
Access: 13 minute walk from Ryomo Line Tomita Station
Distance from Tokyo Station: 2.5 hours by local train
Website: Ashikaga Flower Park
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4. Explore the uniqueness of Asia at Asian Old Bazaar
The Asian Old Bazaar is located in Nasu and is a theme park based upon the uniqueness of Asia. Here, you can explore the cultures, lifestyle and traditions of various countries in South East Asia and South Asia such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal and India. Restaurants, galleries and shops in the Asian Old Bazaar will bring you to the unique world of Asian culture - it’s almost like you’re not in Japan anymore!
Asian Old Bazaar
Address: 506-20, Tsumujigadaira, Yumoto, Nasu town, Nasu Region, Tochigi Prefecture
Opening Hours: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Access: 30 minute bus from Nasushiobara Station
Website: Asian Old Bazaar
5. An unbelievable shade of blue - Dogashima
Dogashima is located at Shizuoka prefecture and is a place famous for having an extremely beautiful seascape. One of the recommended ways to explore Dogashima is through the “Dokutsu Meguri Yuransen” boat cruise. This cruise will bring you through various landscapes through around the Izu region including cliffs and other rock formations such as natural caves.
Dogashima
Address: Dogashima Nishina, Nishiizu, Kamo City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Access: 50 minute bus from Izu Kyoko Line Izukyu-Shimoda Station
Distance from Tokyo: 3.5 hours by local train
6. Walk above a lake at Yumo no Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge
The Sumatakyo region in Shizuoka is another perfect hiking spot you can visit from Tokyo through a day trip. There are various ways to get to Sumatakyo and one of the recommended ways is to take the Steam Locomotive Oigawa Railway. Once you reach the Sumatakyo region, you should walk along the Sumatakyo Promenade hiking course, which will only take about 90 minutes to complete. Along the way, you will reach this amazing suspension bridge called the Yumo no Tsuribashi, which literally means the bridge of dreams. You will walk above a marvelous blue lake, and this location, surrounded by lush greenery, is perfect for an Instagram worthy photo too!
Yumo no Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge
Address: Haibara District, Shizuoka Prefecture
Access: 40 minute bus from Oigawa Main Line Senzu Station, followed by 20 minute walk
Distance from Tokyo Station: 3.5 hours from Tokyo Station to Senzu Station by local train
7. The waterfall of fantasies - Nomizo Waterwall
Chiba prefecture has over 170 waterfalls in total and one of the most popular ones is the Nomizo Waterwall. This is a place that can be visited all year round. The rich nature of the destination changes according to seasons, allowing visitors to enjoy a different kind of landscape during each visit. The Nomizo Waterwalll is located within Shimizu Keiryu Park, and only takes a short 15 minute walk from the entrance to the waterfall. It is recommended that you rent a car or take a taxi to this place as it is slightly inconvenient.
Nomizo Waterwall (Shimizu Keiryu Park)
Address: Sasa, Kimitsu, Chiba
Access: 1 hour 20 minute drive from Chiba Station
8. The cityscape of Italy at La Vita Jiyugaoka area in Tokyo
La Vita Jiyugaoka is a small commercial complex and located just 5 minutes from Jiyugaoka Station, and is the most convenient location to visit amongst the 12 places introduced in this article. Here, while there isn’t must natural landscapes to photograph, you can explore the wonderful atmosphere of Italy without even leaving Japan! Apart from photography, you can also savor fantastic Italian cuisine at the restaurants there.
La Vita Jiyugaoka
Address: 2-8-3 Jiyugaoka, Meguro Ward, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Access: 5 minute walk from Jiyugaoka Station
9. The American Town - Johnson Town in Saitama
Johnson Town is located in Saitama prefecture which is right beside Tokyo prefecture. Located at Iruma City is Johnson Town. This is a place where American soldiers used to stay in the past, and while they have moved out today, the cityscape and atmosphere of an American town still remains. Today, Johnson Town is a destination where you can take interesting photographs of Japanese-American cities, as well as savor in delicious American food at the local restaurants there.
Johnson Town
Address: Azumacho, Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture
Access: 15 minute walk from Seibu Ikebukuro Line Irumashi Station
Distance from Tokyo: 1.5 hour local train ride
Website: Johnson Town
10. The illuminations of Riviera Zushi Marina
Riviera Zushi Marina is located at Zushi, Kanagawa. While this place is mainly a marina for yachts and private boats, it also serves as a great spot for photography. The palm trees there create an interesting tropical mood in the region, and great photographs can be taken, especially during the sunset. Even at night, the palm trees there will be beautifully illuminated. During Christmas, this serves as a great dating spot too!
Riviera Zushi Marina
Address: 5-23 Kotsubo, Zushi, Kanagawa
Access: 10 minute bus ride from Yokosuka Line Zushi Station (free shuttle buses available on weekends and holidays, please refer to official website)
Website: Riviera Zushi Marina
11. Industrial photography at Shiei Futo Area
The Shiei Futo Area is not a place where most will ever expect to visit. However, this is perhaps one of the most unique places that those who love photography will ever go to. Shiei Futo is mainly an industrial area and is filled with factories. In the day, it is buzzing with life and nothing much can be expected there – but things are different at night. The factories will be lit up, creating a powerful and almost mysterious atmosphere to the place. The quiet Shiei Futo area will allow you to creatively photograph the metallic factories and it surely will spice up your Instagram feed!
Shiei Futo Area
Address: 14 Chidorichō, Kawasaki Ward, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Access: 3 minute walk from Nihonshokubaizen Bus Stop (bus from JR Kawasaki Station)
Distance from Tokyo: 20 minute local train ride
12. Amazing emerald green at Yushin Ravines
The Yushin Ravines is located in Kanagawa prefecture and is another place great for a hiking trip that can be visited in a day trip from Tokyo. The hiking course here will take about 2 hours to reach the main spot of the ravines – the intersection of the Kurokura Dam and Kurokura River. Here, you can admire the amazing shade of emerald green that the dam offers. The Yushin Ravines is definitely a must-visit if you love to enjoy the nature in Japan! It is highly recommended that you rent a car or take a taxi to Yushin Ravines as this is a slightly inconvenient location.
Yushin Ravines
Address: Korokura, Yamakita, Ashigarakami, Kanagawa
Access: 1 hour 20 minute drive from Kanagawa Station
Spice up your Instagram feed!
These 12 spots will definitely gain you attention on your social media profiles! Perfect for creating memories, photos, and of course a great time away from the hectic city life. Some locations are slightly less accessible (they are unique destinations away from the city after all) so it’s worth considering renting a vehicle as well.
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