Hakone

Tokyo could fill your whole trip — but spending one or two days exploring nearby towns gives you temples, hot springs, nature, and Mt. Fuji views without changing hotels. Here are the best day trips from Tokyo for first-time visitors, all reachable by train. Hakone — Hot Springs & Mt. Fuji Views About 1.5 hours from Tokyo, Hakone is the classic onsen (hot spring) escape. Soak in an onsen with mountain views Ride the Hakone Ropeway over volcanic valleys On clear days, see Mt. Fuji across Lake Ashi Tip: the Hakone Free Pass covers most local transport Kamakura — Temples & the Great Buddha About 1 hour away, Kamakura is a seaside town full of history. ...

What is Onsen? Onsen (温泉, literally “hot spring”) refers to naturally occurring geothermal water heated by volcanic activity underground. Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has over 3,000 onsen towns across the country, making it the world’s preeminent hot spring culture. But onsen is far more than just a bath. It’s a cultural ritual, a social institution, and for many Japanese people, an essential part of life. Bathing in natural mineral waters together — in its traditional form, without swimwear — represents a moment of pure equality and communal relaxation that has no real equivalent in Western culture. ...