This coastal town less than an hour away from Tokyo is popular for its temples, historical monuments and beaches. It’s home to the famed Kamakura Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Kamakura), a statue of Amiga Buddha. Designated a National Treasure by the Japanese government, this statue is located in Kotoku-in Temple and stands at 11.3 metres tall. It’s also the second largest seated Buddha in Japan.

Take a day trip to Nikko for a historic and scenic retreat. Explore the Nikko National Park, a lavish park that spans over 1100 square kilometres.

On top of mountain vistas and stunning waterfalls, this park is also home to Toshogu shrine, a Unesco World Heritage Site and Ramsar Site Senjogahara Marshland. The former dates back to the 17th century and is decorated with complex wood carvings, gold leaf and sculptures. While you’re here, keep your eye out for the original Three Wise Monkeys, better known as the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” monkeys.

About a hundred kilometres and a 90 minute train ride away from Tokyo lies Hakone. The town is famous for its hot springs and picturesque view of Lake Ashinoko.

The lake boasts a magnificent view of the nearby Mount Fuji. One of the top attractions of the city is The Hakone Open-Air Museum (Japan’s first outdoor museum), which houses works by the legendary Cubist Pablo Picasso. You’ll also get to appreciate sculptures on display, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

This stunning city will provide visitors a glimpse into rural, traditional Japan. Hop on a four-hour train ride from Tokyo, and travel through Shirakami Sanchi, the longest mountain range in Japan.

This impressive mountain range straddles the border between the Aomori and Akita prefectures, and is home to the largest remaining virgin beech forest in East Asia. The vast forest is home to a number of rare flora and fauna, and was named a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1993. Travellers often embark on various hiking trails that boast scenic views of the nearby mountains and waterfalls. While hiking, check out Aoike lake, which holds bewitching blue water. 

Besides being the second largest metropolitan city, Osaka is also arguably the street food capital of the Land of the Rising Sun. Tourists seeking a more carefree and laidback environment will get there in under three hours via bullet train from Tokyo.

Visit the bustling Dotonbori district for aesthetically pleasing neon street lights and signboards. The 580-meter stretch of shopping street is lined with stalls offering hearty snacks unique to the prefecture. History enthusiasts can’t miss a visit to Osaka Castle. The architectural wonder scored in green and gold is nestled in the heart of the Osaka Castle Park, which is often teeming with lively street performers and free concerts.

Embark on a day trip to Kawagoe, an Edo period castle town just 90 minutes away from Tokyo. The quaint city known for its merchant homes and old clay warehouses.

It’s also home to the Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower), a 400 year old tower that chimes four times a day. The current tower is a reconstruction of the original, which was destroyed in the Great Kawagoe Fire of 1893. Another popular attraction is the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, believed to be over 1,500 years old. The sanctuary enshrines five deities worshipped by locals who seek good fortune in love and marriage.

Just under four hours from Tokyo is the port city famed for its signature marbled beef, attracting gourmands far and wide. But Kobe has more to offer.

Take the ancient Shakubuji Temple, a three-storey pagoda commissioned by the Emperor and completed in 651. Standing at approximately 25 meters, it’s one of the tallest pagodas designated by Important Cultural Properties in Japan. Travel during the autumn period to enjoy the beautiful foliage around this alluring temple. 

Once the capital of Japan, this popular tourist destination is a quick two-hour and 20-minute train ride from Tokyo aboard the Nozomi (the fastest bullet train). A particularly culture-rich city, Kyoto is home to a collective of Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and palaces—a few Unesco World Heritage Sites among them.

Be sure to visit Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion), a resplendent structure sitting atop a large pond. The building was once a retirement villa of a powerful shogun, before becoming a temple after his death in 1408.

A two hour train ride from Tokyo brings you to the city of Odawara. A key stronghold and post town during the 15th and 16th centuries, it is now a popular tourist destination in the Kanagawa prefecture. 

It is best known for the beautiful Odawara Castle. During the Sengoku period, the castle served as a major stronghold due to its many defensive attributes including a moat, banks and cliff walls which advantageously surround it. In the modern era, the castle was proclaimed a National Historic Site in 1938. Stroll through the expansive grounds and soak in its wondrous history.

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