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5 Day Trips from Tokyo That Won't Break the Bank
By Jake Hamilton
In Tokyo and need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a day on a student-sized budget?
Well, there are many options for those weary students and travelers who want to get away for the weekend or holiday!
Most of these incredible vacation spots have day passes (or multi-day passes if you want to extend your stay) which can help stretch your budget further. These passes typically allow for travel from a major station in Tokyo to the destination and back, allow for unlimited travel in the area, and offer discounts for attractions, shops, and restaurants while traveling.
A charming town, famous for its hot springs, nestled in the mountains to the south of Mt. Fuji.
History
Given its location on the old Tokaido highway, partway between the ancient capital of Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo), Hakone existed as an important stopping point of travelers on the Tokaido highway, a history that can still be seen today with the preservation of the old Hakone checkpoint which is now a museum that sits on the southern shore of Lake Ashi.
The proximity to Mt. Fuji gives visitors many fantastic views of the mountain, including one from the southern shore of Lake Ashi with Mt. Fuji in the background and the “floating” Torii gate of Hakone shrine in the foreground that became the design for Hakone’s limited edition Coca-Cola bottle. Hakodate receives many tourists every year, being popular in Tokyo as a couples holiday destination, so if you want to avoid the crowds, avoid the long holidays in Japan, such as Golden week or Obon.
Access
Hakodate is easily accessible within 1 hour and 30 minutes from Shinjuku station via the Odakyu line’s “Romancecar” limited express train and has a multi-day pass available.
Located in the mountains northwest of Tokyo, Chichibu is one of the lesser-known destinations for a day trip.
History
Due to the mountainous terrain in western Saitama, the city sits in a valley along the banks of the Arakawa River. Chichibu has an extremely long history, being first populated in the first century BC, and has historically been known for copper mining and later sericulture. Chichibu also boasts several ancient temples and shrines, such as Chichibu Shrine, which is over 2100 years old.
Today, Chichibu is a popular destination to experience the beauty of nature in the Japanese mountains. The mountains surrounding Chichibu provide many choices for hiking, ranging from challenging routes for experienced hikers to easy routes for beginners. While Chichibu is spectacular to visit year round, there are a couple of highlights. The Chichibu Night Festival, which takes place the nights of December 2nd and 3rd, and provides an opportunity to view a fireworks show during the winter, which is uncommon in Japan. In spring, one can see a beautiful field of pink flowers at Hitsujiyama Park, which hosts a festival for the blooming of the flowers starting in mid April and continuing until early May.
Access
Chichibu is accessible in a little over 1 hour and 30 minutes from Ikebukuro Station via the limited express train on the Seibu-Ikebukuro line and has a multi-day pass available.
As the gateway to Mt. Fuji, Fujiyoshida is to the west of Tokyo, right at the base of the famous mountain. Fujiyoshida is one of the major starting points for those who want to scale Mt. Fuji, with climbers able to access the 5th station (about the halfway point) via bus from Fujiyoshida, which is available from July until early September. But aside from climbing the famous mountain, visitors to Fujiyoshida can experience spectacular views of Mt. Fuji from many nearby locations.
History
The area north of Mt. Fuji, which would become Fujiyoshida in modern times, has been inhabited since the 2nd century BC. Since Mt. Fuji has been considered sacred to the Japanese, it has been the location of many temples, shrines, and festivals since ancient times. One of those festivals is still held in Fujiyoshida, the Yoshida Fire Festival, which occurs every year on August 26th and 27th.
In Fujiyoshida, on the mountain opposite Mt. Fuji, Arakurayama Sengen Park offers a phenomenal view of Mt Fuji from the viewing deck of the observatory, which offers a view of the mountain with a vibrant red pagoda in the foreground, and is most popular during the cherry blossom season in late March. Also nearby are the 5 lakes north of Mt. Fuji which each provide a view of the mountain, the most famous of which is the view from the north shore of Lake Motosu which, until recently, was featured on the reverse side of the 1000 yen bill. The other major feature of Fujiyoshida is the nearby FujiQ Highland, an amusement park with four of the largest rollercoasters in Japan.
Access
Fujiyoshida is accessible in 1 hour and 50 minutes from Shinjuku station via the Chuo Line limited express and a transfer to the Fujikyuko Line and there is a multi-day pass available for the 5 lakes area.
The only feature on this list that lies to the north of Tokyo, Nikko sits deep in the mountains of Tochigi prefecture.Nikko and the surrounding areas (which are accessible by bus using the area day pass) are famous for hot springs and the various historical temples, shrines, and other sites.
History
Nikko is popular with both Japanese and foreign tourists primarily for the historic shrines and temples, many of which are also the mausoleums of several members of the Tokugawa shogunate. The first site you will see on your way to the temples of Nikko is the historic Shinkyo bridge, which was constructed in 1636 and can still be used today. The next stop on the route is Rinno-ji temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the resting place of the 3rd Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu Tokugawa, after it was founded in 766. Nearby is the highlight of Nikko’s temple area is Toshogu Shrine, which was constructed in 1617 as the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Other highlights of the area include the picturesque Kegon Falls, and the nearby hot spring town of Yumoto (also accessible on the day pass). Nikko is a popular destination during the New Years holiday, with Rinno-ji hosting large festivities for Hatsumode (the New Year’s Shrine visit).
Access
Nikko is accessible within 2 hours from Asakusa station via the Tobu Railway Express and has two options for multi-day passes available.
A major part of the history of Japan, Kamakura is located on the Pacific coast of Japan to the south of Tokyo.
History
The city was the seat of power of Japan from the 12th to 14th centuries during the Kamakura period. Many of the city’s famous temples were constructed during this period (though the ones that can be seen today went through major renovations after the city was ravaged by the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923).
Kamakura has been a popular tourist destination in Japan since the Edo period, due to the many temples and Kamakura’s beautiful beaches. While there are really too many amazing temples to touch on here, the most famous is definitely the Kamakura Daibutsu, an 11.4 meter tall statue of the Buddha at Kotokuin Temple, which is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan, second only to the statue at Todaiji in Nara. Kamakura’s fantastic beaches are great for swimming and provide a place for Tokyoites to beat the summer heat.
Included in the Kamakura area train pass is the nearby island of Enoshima, which is just off of the coast and connected to the mainland by bridges. The island offers a host of attractions including its own shrine, easily walkable caves, a botanical garden, and an aquarium.
Access
Kamakura and Enoshima are accessible within 1 hour of Shinjuku Station via the Odakyu Line with a day pass option.
Many students come to study in Tokyo and just get caught up in visiting the popular places within the bustling metropolis, but by just taking a short trip away from the city, you can experience way more of what Japan has to offer. Don’t let the daunting prices of the shinkansen or domestic flights keep you from taking an incredible trip on your next holiday!
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About the Writer: Besides being an experienced traveler, Jake Hamilton is an undergraduate at LUJ majoring in Business Administration.
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