Written by Lily Crossley-Baxter
Summer in Tokyo is a trial, even for the most sun-loving of us. With humidity, city heat, and long days, it’s no wonder people plan escapes well ahead of time.
But where do you go? With options from beaches to hikes and city escapes, you’re spoilt for choice. Here are our recommendations for Tokyo summer day trips that prove you don’t need to go too far to forget about the sticky city streets. And while we say they’re day trips, they can easily be extended into a weekend getaway.
If none of these tickle your fancy, check out our year-round Tokyo day trips guide for more ideas.
1. Enoshima: An island escape
Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station, transfer to Enoshima Electric Railway at Fujisawa Station (or pay extra and take the Romance Car all the way)Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
¥650 (one-way)
With stunning stretches of beach and plenty to explore, Enoshima is the place to be come summer.
At Enospa, enjoy mixed pools, separated baths, and even views of Mt. Fuji on a good day. Meanwhile, Enoshima Shrine houses a statue of Benten, where you can wash your money to make it multiply (she is the goddess of wealth after all as well as a dragon defeater). Note that some parts of the shrine complex require entry fees.
For a relaxing walk, explore the botanical gardens of the Samuel Cocking Garden, along with a small lighthouse known as the Sea Candle. The island is also home to two easily accessible caves, one dedicated to the dragon which apparently used to terrorize the area.
See our Enoshima guide. And for other beach options, try our Cheapo beach guide. We have Tokyo day-trip ideas for divers too.
2. Okutama: Back to nature
Chūō Line from Shinjuku Station, transfer to the Ōme Line at Tachikawa or Ōme Station.Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes from Shinjuku Station
¥1,110 (one-way)
Okutama is a wealth of valleys, forests, and mountains. Choose from the many hiking trails (we recommend Mt. Kumotori), hot springs, as well as river activities like stand up paddleboarding and lighter strolls. You can camp and have a BBQ by the river, enjoy some fishing with rental gear available at Hikawa Kokusai Masu Tsuriba, and even take to the water yourself. Why not try some white water rafting?
Nippara Limestone Cave is also in Okutama. It’s the longest cave in the Kantō region and a refreshing 11 degrees all year round. The cave is naturally formed and has some impressive rock formations with tactical lighting, giving it quite a mystical feel.
See our Okutama day-trip itinerary for more ideas.
3. Miura Peninsula: Tuna town
Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Yokohama, then switch to the Keikyu Main Line and alight at Miurakaigan StationApproximately 1.5 hours
¥1,137 (one-way)
For a breezy summer escape that feels worlds away from Tokyo, hop on a train to the Miura Peninsula. Just over an hour south, this pocket of Kanagawa serves up fresh tuna, coastal trails, and that salty sea air you didn’t know you needed — made even more appealing by Keikyu’s value-packed day-trip ticket, which includes roundtrip travel, a seafood lunch, and discounts on local attractions.
Start in the port town of Miura with a maguro donburi or tuna ricebowl — simple and satisfying, and cheaper than its central Tokyo counterpart. Then wander through the local fish market or stop by Miura Brewery for a pint of crisp, small-batch beer. Jogashima Island is a short bus ride away, with wind-beaten cliffs, a French-designed lighthouse, and plenty of quiet spots for a snack with a view (just watch out for the birds).
4. Nokogiriyama: Mountain with a view to hell
Sōbu Line from Tokyo Station to Hama-Kanaya Station. May need to transfer to the Uchibo Line at Chiba Station.Just over 2 hours (or under 2 hours via the Sazanami Line for ¥3,460)
¥1,980 (one-way)
A 330m-tall mountain on the Bōsō Peninsula, Nokogiriyama has stunning views of Tokyo Bay, a beautiful temple complex, and a chance to look into hell. Well, you know sort of. There fastest trail going up Nokogiriyama takes about an hour. If you’re not in the mood to hike, there’s also a ropeway.
Along any walk on this mountain, you will find yourself surrounded by stone statues big and small, carved into and out of rock. The largest is the 30m-high relief statue of Hyaku Shaku Kannon, housed within the sprawling temple complex of Nihonji Temple, who was carved into the walls of the mountain between 1780 and 1783.
Finally, the most famous part of the mountain is the Jigoku Nozoki, also known as the “view of hell”. It has a precipice so extended it can give the bravest of souls vertigo. After a little adrenaline, make your way back down the mountain, enjoying the myriad expressions of the carved Buddhist worshippers on the “1500 Arhat Approach”– although only around 500 are left standing today.
Check out our Nokogiriyama hiking guide for more details.
5. Nagatoro: Tall trees and rushing rivers
Laview express to Seibu-Chichibu, transfer to the Chichibu Rail Line at Ohanabatake, and head to Nagatoro StationApproximately 2 hours
Around ¥2,100 (one-way, depending on the route)
Nagatoro is tucked between the forested slopes of Mount Hodo and the clear rush of the Arakawa River. From the scent of cedar along shrine paths to the splash of rapids beneath a wooden boat, this day trip stirs the senses — especially in summer. Drift up the mountain on the Mt. Hodosan Ropeway for panoramic views and cool, pine-scented breezes, or duck into the quiet stone cellar of Nagatoro Sake Brewery to sip local sake.
Seasonal blooms brighten the area throughout the year, but you’ll want to look out for hydrangeas, especially beautiful with fresh rain. Local specialties like handmade tofu and charcoal-grilled ayu or sweetfish make for a satisfying lunch. Don’t miss the Iwadatami, a stretch of weathered rock formations that resemble tatami mats, rippling along the river’s edge. It’s a favourite spot for photos, picnics, and simply shooting the breeze.
For all the details, check out our complete day trip guide to Nagatoro.
6. Jōgasaki Coast: Sights for sore eyes
Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station, then transfer at Odawara for the JR and Izu Kyūkō lines to Jōgasaki-Kaigan or Izu-Kōgen StationApproximately 3 hours
¥3,180 (one-way)
Looking for a coastal escape that’s equal parts rugged and relaxing? Just a few hours from Tokyo, Jōgasaki Coast on the Izu Peninsula offers dramatic cliff walks, suspension bridges, and ocean views that more than reward the journey. With a mix of seaside trails, fresh seafood, and hidden photo ops, it’s the kind of day trip that feels like a real break from the city. If you can spare time to stay longer, we highly recommend making this an overight trip — or longer.
Along the way, you’ll stumble upon some delightfully oddball museums: a lamp-filled ode to Art Nouveau, and a teddy bear haven complete with a Totoro-themed workshop.
Intrigued? Click through for the full guide and itinerary.
7. Matsumoto: Slow city break
Highway bus from Shinjuku Station to Matsumoto Station.Approximately 3 hours
¥3,600 (one-way)
Nestled in Nagano Prefecture, Matsumoto is a beautiful city filled with art galleries, spectacular castles, and plenty of cute little cafés. Handily, it is the perfect city for exploring with minimal effort (ideal for summer heat) as you can rent bicycles and cycle around the flat city to your heart’s content. While there are plenty of shrines and temples to explore, there is also Crow Castle.
Visual artist Yayoi Kusama was born here. Head to the Matsumoto City Museum of Art for a brilliant permanent exhibition of her paintings and installations — even if you’re not a big art fan.
The city has numerous quaint museums including an old school house and a timepiece museum, as well as a lovely traditional shopping street with sweet treats and antique stalls. The surrounding area offers onsen (hot springs) and country walks as well as wasabi farms if you are looking to spice things up a bit.
Read more about planning your Matsumoto getaway.
8. Ushiku Daibutsu: An unusual adventure
Ueno-Tokyo Line from Tokyo Station to Ushiku Station. Then catch a local bus to the statue (infrequent).Approximately 1.5 hours
¥1,690 (incl. bus) (one-way)
Towering high at 120m and weighing in at 4000 tons, the Ushiku Daibutsu is a sight to behold.
Unlike most Buddha statues, you can venture inside this one to see rooms filled with statues, eerie music, and amazing views. With spaces including the “World of Infinite Light and Life” and the “World of the Lotus Sanctuary”, you can practice your calligraphy skills and admire hundreds of golden statues, as well as having your trusty shrine book signed.
The gargantuan Buddha is located in a small park with a (sad) petting zoo, flower fields, and a koi pond — with lots of great spots for a picnic. This is ideal if you want an easy day out, no hiking, no trekking, more of a nice-day-in-the-park kind of vibe — with a touch of the unusual, of course.
While we do our best to ensure accuracy, details may vary. Post first published in 2017. Last updated in May 2025.
