Bookmark these best weekend getaways from Tokyo

The East’s “City That Never Sleeps” is full of bright lights, crowds, and hustle and bustle. But amid all its neon skyscrapers and billboards, sometimes you just need an escape. That’s where these best weekend getaways from Tokyo come in.

Explore the coastal charm of Enoshima, the hot springs of Atami, or the Edo period history of Kawagoe. Whatever your tastes, these mini-adventures are only a hop, skip, and jump from Japan’s capital. With diverse destinations just a convenient transportation link away, you’ll soon be off on one of the best weekend trips from Tokyo to rejuvenate and recharge.

Best weekend getaway from Tokyo, according to your interests

Best weekend destination for food: Osaka

Best weekend trip for outdoor adventure: Mount Fuji

Best weekend away for families: Kawagoe

Best place for a romantic weekend: Atami

1. Mount Fuji

Recommended for

Hikers and nature lovers

Top things to do in Mount Fuji over a weekend

Climb it, of course! Disembarking at Subaru Line 5th station, experienced climbers will be able to summit the famous mountain in 5–6 hours. If you’re not a climber, you can also soak in Mount Fuji’s natural hot springs, take a scenic boat trip on Lake Kawaguchi, or visit Gotemba Distillery, where you can sample Japanese whiskey produced using snowmelt from Fuji itself.

Best way to travel from Tokyo to Mount Fuji?

A train-and-bus combo from Tokyo center takes about 2–3 hours with at least one transfer. Driving the 78 miles (126 km) by car takes around 2.5 hours.

2. Kamakura

Recommended for

Japanese culture enthusiasts

Top things to do in Kamakura over a weekend

Known as the “Kyoto of eastern Japan,” this former political center is a Buddhist- and samurai-lover’s dream. With more than 100 temples dotting Kamakura, the mountains and sea surrounding this city are the perfect setting for peace and serenity. If you plan to temple-hop, check out Kencho-ji Temple, the city’s oldest temple dating back to the 13th century, the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, beset with lotus flowers and cherry blossoms, and Meigetsu-in Temple, known as the hydrangea temple, where some 2,500 hydrangeas color the grounds in a vast blue blanket.

Best way to travel from Tokyo to Kamakura?

The train has an easy link from Tokyo and takes approximately 1.5 hours. Or drive the 32 mi (52 km) by car, which takes around the same time.

3. Kawagoe

Recommended for

History and architecture lovers

Top things to do in Kawagoe over a weekend

Known as “Little Edo,” Kawagoe will take you back in time to the Edo period in Japan (1603–1868) — a time of stability, peace, and cultural and artistic development. Explore its storehouse-style buildings and playful Taisho Romance Dream Street. You can rent a kimono to feel like part of the local fabric and grab a sweet treat from the endlessly colorful Candy Alley. You might also hear the Bell of Time — a 400-year-old wooden bell tower — or visit the 1,500-year-old Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The shrine is home to the Ema tunnel, filled with 30,000 plaques describing heartfelt wishes and gratitude for wishes granted.

Best way to travel from Tokyo to Kawagoe?

Drive 24 mi (39 km) by car in just over one hour. The train and bus combo takes at least 1.5 hours.

4. Enoshima

Recommended for

Beach lovers and island hoppers

Top things to do in Enoshima over a weekend

Full of delectable eateries, beautiful beaches, and fun activities, Enoshima is a tiny island that packs a punch. Visit Enoshima Shrine — one of three major Benten shrines in Japan — and discover tropical plants in the Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden, a short walk from the shrine. This botanical garden’s Japanese-Western blend features South Sea flowers and camellia trees, roses, and hibiscus. Nearby Enoshima Sea Candle, an observation tower and lighthouse, offers incredible views.

Best way to travel from Tokyo to Enoshima?

Kamakura is only 25 minutes away from Enoshima, so you could make this weekend getaway a double-feature. Travel in style on the Enoden — a retro-fitted railway car with incredible sea views. The train takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Or drive 32 miles (52 km) by car in 1.5 hours.

5. Atami

Recommended for

Relaxation seekers and seafood lovers

Top things to do in Atami over a weekend

This classy seaside city with Showa-era charm is one of the best weekend getaways from Tokyo for a relaxing beach escape. Perched on the sea, Atami is full of hot springs and communal pools, where you can unwind from the busyness of Tokyo. Feast on delightful locally-caught seafood, from sea bream and white bait to scorpion fish and crab. Stand-out features in the region include Atami Castle, a nine-story tourist attraction-turned-museum with a fantastic 360-degree view, the white sand Atami Sun Beach lined with palm trees, and Kinomiya Shrine, home to a 2,000-year-old sacred camphor tree.

Best way to travel from Tokyo to Atami?

The bullet train, Japan Railways Shinkansen, is the fastest option, taking less than 45 minutes from Tokyo station. You can also drive 63 miles (101 km) by car in 2.5 hours, or take a train-bus combo in the same amount of time.

6. Takaragawa Onsen Hot Spring Baths

Recommended for

Relaxation seekers and culture lovers

Top things to do in Takaragawa Onsen over a weekend

While Japan is full of hot springs, Takaragawa Onsen is particularly special. Imagine soaking your sore muscles in warm natural waters, surrounded by a trickling mountain stream and a peaceful forest, with views of Mount Tanigawa in the background. If you’re visiting Tokyo in winter, you may even get to experience powdery white snow falling around you, turning the springs into a magical winter wonderland. After soaking to your heart’s content, take part in a tranquil tea ceremony at a traditional Japanese tea house.

Best way to travel from Tokyo to Takaragawa Onsen?

Drive 107 miles (172 km) by car in around 2.5 hours. You can also take the train and bus, but this requires multiple changes and can take around four hours in total.

7. Osaka

Recommended for

Foodies

Top things to do in Osaka over a weekend

Also known as the “kitchen of the nation,” Osaka is a main gourmand hub in Japan. Trying the city’s many delicious local dishes, like crispy kushikatsu (fried skewers) and okonomiyaki (savory pancake), is a must for foodies. You can also wander around the city’s sprawling waterways, catch a Japanese puppet theater play, and visit the majestic Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s most famous historic landmarks.

Best way to travel from Tokyo to Osaka?

Save time with the bullet train, which can get you to Osaka in as little as 2.5 hours. You can also drive the 310 miles (499 km) by car in around 6–7 hours, depending on traffic.

FAQs

What is the best town to visit outside Tokyo?

Kamakura frequently tops the list of best weekend trips from Tokyo because of its samurai culture, hundreds of stunning temples, and fascinating history as a former political capital of Japan.

What cities are two hours away from Tokyo?

Kamakura, Kawagoe, Enoshima, and Mount Fuji are all located within two hours of the city, making them ideal weekend getaways from Tokyo.

Can you do Kyoto in a day from Tokyo?

The bullet train can take you between Tokyo and Kyoto in around 2.5 hours. However, the ticket is expensive, so you may want to give yourself more than a day to enjoy the city.

What is the easiest island to get to from Tokyo?

The tiny tourist island of Enoshima is very easy to get to from Tokyo by car or train.

What are the best day trips from Tokyo?

When you’ve run out of fun things to do in Tokyo (although, that’s highly unlikely), there are plenty of fantastic day trips you can take from the capital too. Kamakura, Enoshima, and Lake Kawaguchi are three of the best day trips from Tokyo; Kamakura for its samurai culture, Enoshima for its beaches, and Lake Kawaguchi for its breathtaking view of Mount Fuji.