Towns to Visit on the Outskirts of Tokyo

Madeleine Ray

After spending time in Tokyo, it's always nice to get outside of the city and see the surrounding areas. There are a lot of varying landscapes on Tokyo's outskirts, from beaches to mountains, that show different sides of Japan and new activities which you cannot always experience in central Tokyo. I have included in this list suburbs of Tokyo that are perfect for overnight trips, as well as often-overlooked areas in Tokyo around the outskirts to take you a little bit off the beaten path in your Japan travels.

Tags: Day Trip, Roadtripping, Views, Off the beaten path

  • Yokohama, Japan

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      Yokohama is the second-largest city to Tokyo in Japan. Yokohama is home to the biggest Chinatown area in Japan, along with the cup-noodle museum, amazing art museums, an aquarium, as well as a garden you can visit in the sky. Just like Tokyo, you need to spend more than one day realistically to enjoy Yokohama to it's entirity, but the city still makes for an exciting day trip away from Tokyo.

  • Hakone, Japan

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      Hakone is a small neighboring suburb of Tokyo which offers excellent spas and traditional Japanese Ryokan hotels. Hakone is most famous for its beautiful scenery which reflects the various seasons, as well as Onsen. Onsen are Japanese hot baths that are a central part of Japanese culture, and for experiencing authentic and relaxing Onsen, there is no better place than Hakone.

  • Kichijōji in Tokyo, Japan

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      On the outskirts of Shinjuku, Kichijoji is a cultural hub of fashion, art, and food surrounding one of the biggest parks in Tokyo. Inokashira Park near Kichijoji station is one of the most beautifully maintained parks in Tokyo. The Ghibli Museum is also located on the grounds of Inokashira Park, this is a must-see museum for anyone who loves animation and art.

  • Enoshima Island, Japan

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      Enoshima is a small island just off the shore, offering the sandiest beaches near Tokyo and Yokohama. With many fun attractions including a spa, cultural activities, and a world-famous aquarium, as well as being very closely located to Kamakura, Enoshima is the perfect place to enjoy a sunny day.

  • Kamakura, Japan

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      Kamakura is a seaside suburb just south of Tokyo, on the city's outskirts. In Kamakura, you can find the famous 13-meter tall bronze Buddha statue, countless temples, and shrines, as well as enjoy Japanese seaside culture; that means delicious sushi and other traditional fish dishes. The Beach is also a popular surfing spot and often has a lively atmosphere.

  • Narita in Chiba, Japan

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      Narita is in Chiba, a nearby suburb of Tokyo which houses the International Airport and Tokyo Disneyland. Narita is a wonderful city to visit also, the area has famous temples, as well as more rural farm lands.

  • Futakotamagawa in Tokyo, Japan

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      Futako Tamagawa is just a 15 minutes train ride from Shibuya station, but still offers a breath of fresh air and nature away from central Tokyo, along with a huge mall offering different events and markets every month. At Futako there is a huge park, open space cafes, and boutiques, as well as a beautiful river with an excellent view for late-night drinking with friends.