Escape the city with these Top Recommended Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo. Do you have a day trip to recommend? Leave in the comments section below.
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Little Edo Kawagoe
(30 minutes by train from Ikebukuro)
The people of Kawagoe have preserved their city for all to experience the old castle town of the Edo period (17th to the 19th centuries). Kawagoe is a curious and creative day trip any time of the year, but to be noted is the 28th of each month when the large Kawagoe Antique Market takes place. You can easily walk around the town, however, biking around is also a great option. The city of Kawagoe operates a bicycle sharing scheme in the city center, with eight pickup/parking locations. Top highlights are; The main street of Kurazukuri, The Bell of Time, Candy Street, The Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum, Kita-in Buddist Temple and the Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin Temple. Read our Kawagoe Guide for more.
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Kamakura
60 minutes by train from Ebisu Station
The impressive Daibutsu sits at 11.4M tall and solid bronze. There are also temples, stores, restaurants and also the beach to enjoy. Each season offers a different experience. Visit the Hasedera Temple which has a beautiful garden, stately Kannon and panoramic view of Kamakura bay; the Hokokuji Temple or “Bamboo Temple” for to the magnificent bamboo, and the famous Sabure cookie store. Visit our Kamakura Guide for more.
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Hakone
(90 minutes from Shinjuku Station)
Hakone is a beautiful, mountainous area popular for it`s natural onsens, hiking and views. Great for a day trip or a long weekend getaway with the family. Our favorites are the Hakone Open Air Museum, riding the the Hakone Ropeway, Hakone Tozan railway and the Hakone Sight Seeing Cruise Ship/Pirate Ship and exploring nature trails. Read about our visit.
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Mt. Takao Hiking
(One hour from Shinjuku station on the Keio Line)
Mt. Takao has been a location of worship for more than 1,000 years. The main temple Yakuoin is located near the summit and is a popular place for visitors to pray for Shinto-Buddist mountain gods (tengu). There are two statues of these Tengu gods at the temple; one with a very long nose and one with a crow beak. You will see many statues and references to the Tengu all over the mountain and in the omiyage (gifts to take home). A great location for a nature hike with the family.
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Karuizawa
(One hour Shinkansen ride from Tokyo)
Karuizawa, Nagano is a beautiful mountain resort a 1 hr Shinkansen ride from Tokyo. Step off the train, take in the gorgeous mountain views, and enjoy the numerous activities Karuizawa has to offer from outdoor sports, onsens, shopping, play areas, food and more. More details –>
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Nagatoro River Line
(2 hours from Tokyo)
Take a 30 min or 60 minute boat ride down the Nagatoro River and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful mountain and river scenery. In addition take a ride on the scenic Hodosan Ropeway or visit the quaint Chichibu Hodosan Zoo where you can feed some animals and hang out with deer. More about our Nagatoro River experience.
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Blueberry Picking
Late June to early September is blueberry picking season in Japan – so you still have time! We`ve listed six gardens for great half-day or one-day trips. Here are our recommended Tokyo Area Blueberry Picking Locations.
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Sweet Potato Digging
Sweet potato digging is an autumn tradition that all Japanese kindergarten and early elementary kids partake in October through December. In Japanese sweet potatoes are called “satsumaimo”. Enjoy a nice autumn day outside central Tokyo and go sweet potato digging. We have five recommended locations to go Japanese sweet potato digging. Also don’t forget to take boots and light weight gloves for digging. It`s fun, but messy. More details –>
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Sanrio Puroland
(50 minutes by train from Shinjuku station)
s an adorable indoor amusement park for Sanrio character fans, young children and adults who are kids at heart. Only be surrounded by 4 floors of cute food and attractions, dynamic, well-produced shows, meet and greet with Hello Kitty and numerous photo ops with all her friends. A lovely theme park surrounded by all things cute and lovable. Read more for visiting Tips and Discounts.
Thomas Land
(1.5 hours by car from downtown Tokyo)
Thomas Land is one of our favorite theme parks for young kids on our list of TOP Theme Parks in Japan. Thomas Land, in Yamanashi, Japan, is the world’s first Thomas & Friends Theme Park. Located a 1.5 hour drive from central Tokyo, and within the Fuji-Q Highland Theme Park, it`s a great day trip with your Thomas the Train loving kids. For Details –>
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Tokyo Disney Land & Disney Sea
(Less than 30 minutes from Shinagawa Station)
Tokyo Disneyland is the most visited theme park on our list of TOP Theme Parks in Japan. It`s filled with attractions, shows, dining and more! To make your planning and trip to Tokyo Disneyland easier and more FUN here are our Tokyo Disneyland Visiting Tips.
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Anpanman Museum, Yokohama
(55 minutes by train from downtown Tokyo)
The Anpanman Museum is a great place for Anpanman crazed preschoolers. It`s three floors of high energy, fast paced, child-friendly activities. The museum houses plastic characters sculptures of the Anpanman gang and has play areas. There is also a stage with 2-3 performances a day. For more details –>
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
CupNoodles Museum, Yokohama, Kanagawa-ken
(55 minutes by train from downtown Tokyo)
We loved our visit to the CupNoodles Museum. I have to admit I was quite surprised how entertaining and educational the entire museum was. Not only do you learn the history of the world famous Cup Noodles, but you can make your personalised cup and enjoy lunch as well. A great spot for all ages. For details –>
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Enoshima Island and Caves
(1 hour from Tokyo by car)
Ride the waves, smell the sea air and explore the Enoshima island and caves (江の島). A great day trip which can be combined with a trip to the Enoshima Aquarium. If you leave Tokyo early in the morning, you may be able to stop in Kamakura on the way back. The island is connected by a bridge to the mainland and can be reached by walking about 15 mins from the train station, or you can take a small boat that leaves mid bridge (adults 400 yen, kids 200 yen) to the cave side of the Island, and walk back over to the bridge side. More details –>
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Enoshima Aquarium, Kanagawa-ken
(An hour by car from downtown Tokyo)
The Enoshima Aquarium (新江ノ島水族館) is a great aquarium located right on the beach with many indigenous fish from the Sagami Bay and the Pacific Ocean, great educational exhibitions, and touch pool. The aquarium is split into 12 zones and takes between 2-4 hours to see and enjoy. Highly recommend. More details –>
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Mother Farm
(About a 60-90 min drive from central Tokyo via the Aqua Line)
Mother Farm in Chiba is a great day trip from Tokyo if you are looking for open space, farm animals, fruit and veggie picking and small amusement rides. It is also dog-friendly so bring pooch along. You can also take a train and then bus to the farm which takes about 90 mins. Mother Farm is located on the top of rolling mountains from which you can see beautiful vistas of the countryside. More details –>
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Tama Zoo, Tama
(about an hour from downtown Tokyo by train or car)
Tama Zoo is 129 acres (52H) which is about four times the size of Ueno Zoo. If you were to see everything, you would have walked over 8K in one day. The goal of Tama Zoo is to display the animals in as natural habitats as possible. The Tama Zoo has three main areas the Asiatic, African and Australian, as well as an impressive Insectarium. Another cool part of the Tama Zoo is the group of very passionate senior volunteers who explain the animals and have side exhibits like animal hair to touch and panels that show you what the animals eat. More details –>
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Zoorasia Japan, Yokohama
(40 minutes by car from downtown Tokyo)
Zoorasia Japan is a beautiful zoo in Yokohama. It`s more like a walking safari than a zoo. It`s spacious and beautifully maintained with a variety of animals from around the world. For 800 yen per adult, less than 500 yen for kids aged 18 yrs and under; and free for 6 yrs and under you can get near the animals in close to their natural habitats; pet pygmy goats, guinea pigs, mice and other small animals; watch animal feedings and a bird show; and for a small fee ride a camel; or take an animal learning class. More details –>
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Fuji Safari Park
(90 min by car from downtown Tokyo)
Fuji Safari Park is a lovely place to see and experience animals from around the world living freely. Fuji Safari Park offers visitors 4 options to experience their safari park 1) Self-drive option where visitors can progress through the park in their own car at their own pace, 2) Jungle Bus where you can see wild animals up close and feed them through the wire-netted windows of the bus for 1,300 yen/pp, 3) Super Jungle Bus where the tops and sides of the bus are netted so visitors can see animals from below for 2,000 yen/pp (Note children under elementary age are unable to ride), and the 4) Safari Navigation Carwhere you can take one of the Fuji Safari Park ranger’s 4WD vehicles and enjoy off-road driving and feed some animals for 5,000 yen/pp (5 people / 7 people Max). More details –>
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Kodomo no Kuni – Yokohama, Kanagawa-ken
(40 minutes by car from downtown Tokyo)
Kodomo no Kuni is one of our favorite parks for young kids on our list of TOP Theme Parks in Japan. Kodomo no Kuni is a kids` paradise. It`s a 250 acre park with numerous activities and facilities that any child will enjoy. The popular attractions are a 110m rolling slide, riding and cycling center, children`s zoo, pony rides, river and splash pond and a mini steam locomotive. There are numerous playgrounds, a large outdoor pool, indoor ice skating rink, boating pond, sports fields, garden, BBQ area (by reservation only) and much more! More details –>
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
The Railway Museum, Omiya
(40 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station)
The Railway Museum (鉄道博物館ミュージアム) is a great place to visit for families and railway enthusiasts rain or shine. The museum features railway cars, train car simulators for would-be-train drivers, model dioramas, miniature trains, train rides, an outdoor playground and indoor playrail area, cafeteria, museum shop, train library, and more. For details –>
*** Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo ***
Nokogiriyama, Chiba – Hike to View Tokyo Bay and Mt. Fuji
(1 – 2 hours by car from central Tokyo)
If you want to take a 1-2 hour hike while adventuring to find Buddhas, Arafat, and views of Tokyo Bay and Mt. Fuji I recommend Nokogiryama, Chiba (Mt. Sawtooth). Read about our visit and recommended itinerary. For details –>
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20+ Top Family Friendly Day Trips from Tokyo
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