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sanji
Sun Jan 29, 2006 12:40 pm

Re: 1-day trip from Tokyo - where to go?
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If you only want to make a day-trip from Tokyo, there are three main destinations that you should look at...

Kamakura

from Shinjuku : 790-890 yens, 1h15 

This is the easiest and cheapest of the three destinations. Kamakura, which was the capital of Japan from 1192 to 1333, has not only the biggest Buddha in Japan (Daibutsu) and lots of great temples, but also nice walks in the forests and a large beach (which is however not the nicest you can find).

http://www.sogival.com/japan/across/Kamakura/Kamakura_-_Daibutsu_small.jpg

A suggest journey would be to get off the train at Kita-Kamakura, and visit the surrounding temples (Engaku-ji and Jochi-ji); then head to the south, visit the Zeniarai-benten temple and finally reach the Daibutsu. After that, you can continue to the Hase-dera temple, and eventually reach the sea. From there, it takes 10-15 minutes to walk back to Kamakura station. Alternatively, you can take the Enoshima line from the Hase station, and enjoy the sea coast scenery to Enoshima. From there, direct trains go back to Tokyo.



Hakone

See the http://www.sogival.com/japan/across/Hakone/Hakone%202-days%20trip%20-%20trip2-18_small.jpg



Nikko

from Ueno : 2780 yens, 2h10 (people with JR pass will travel faster by using shinkansen trains)

Entrance of the Nikko National Park, the small town of Nikko is mostly famous for Toshogu, a complex of heavily decorated shrines. Surrounded by forests, Nikko is located in a large area which offers several attractions, including the large Chuzenji lake with the 97-meters high Kegon waterfall. However, the lake itself is quite far, and it takes 50 minutes (1100 yens) by bus to reach it from Nikko. If you really want to enjoy the whole Nikko area, you might choose to rent a car to reach the Chuzenji lake and continue to Nikko-Yumoto, a small onsen town in the national park.

http://www.sogival.com/japan/across/Nikko/Nikko_-_10_small.jpg



My condensed advise: head for Hakone if the weather is really fine, otherwise visit Kamakura! Choose Nikko only if you plan to drive...

sanji