Day Tours are the same as Day Trips, except for two differences: Day Tours take place outside of the 23 Special Wards of Tokyo and don’t have door-to-door pick up/drop off service (sometimes saves up to two hours of travel time). Instead, I’ll send you detailed instructions from your hotel to the meet up point and we’ll start from there!
If you absolutely don’t feel comfortable using public transportation, just let me know. I’m happy to arrange door-to-door pick up and drop off. Also, if you have some other ideas, contact me and I can customize just for you.
My Top 3 Day Trips
| heritage tourism, history tourism; architecture tourism; hiking, nature tourism |
#1 Fan Fave!
Kamakura Day Trip
Kamakura is a modern, upper middle class suburb of Tokyoō, but from 1185 to 1333 this was the dē factō capital of Japan – and the seat of her first samurai government. The city is home to a myriad of shrines and temples, many of which date back to the 1300’s and earlier. You can take trains, buses, and taxis, but I think a leisurely hike through the mountains is a great way to get a feel for Kamakura’s appeal. Some call it “Tokyo’s Kyoto,” and it’s easy to see why.
- Perfect For
- Anyone interested in Japan
- Solo travelers, couples
- Friends, families
- History nerds
- Photographers
- Japanophiles
- Hikers and trekkers
- Architecture lovers
- Beach lovers
Accessibility
- All-day walking tour, including a leisurely mountain hike
- In general, Kamakura is very hilly
- Plenty of places to rest
Starts at ¥65,000
| heritage tourism, history tourism; architecture tourism; shopping |
#2 Fan Fave!
Kawagoe Day Trip
Kawagoe is called “Little Edo” because it preserves a lot of architecture, particularly kura storehouses, that used to line the streets of Edo (modern Tokyo). Step back in time among beautiful sweets shops in traditional buildings, inspect knives that cost thousands of dollars, and step explore classical architectural spaces from the palace of a feudal lord or local watering holes for the every-man. With no skyscrapers in sight, it’s awesome to dig your teeth into a truly Japanese city that hasn’t changed much since the war but has been populated continuously since prehistoric times. There’s so much to do and see here that whittling down the day’s agenda can be bittersweet. That said, you’re never at a loss for things to do in this less-traveled gem in Tōkyō’s backyard.
- Perfect For
- Anyone interested in Japan
- Solo travelers, couples
- Friends, families
- History nerds
- Photographers
- Japanophiles
- Urban hikers
- Architecture lovers
Accessibility
- All-day walking tour, plenty of places to rest
- Accessibility is passable
Starts at ¥65,000
There’s a proverb in Japanese, “don’t say kekko until you’ve seen Nikko.” It means “you haven’t seen anything in Japan, if you haven’t seen Nikko.”
| heritage tourism, history tourism; world heritage; nature tourism, hiking; architecture tourism, art tourism; tombstone tourism; photography tourism; theme park tourism |
#3 Fan Fave!
Nikko Day Trip
I love Nikko! It’s got something for everyone: breathtaking nature, commanding architecture, and the all-encompassing spirituality of one of Japan’s strongest power spots. There’s so much to do here. Just pick two destinations from below and we’re ready to go.
- Perfect For
- Everyone!
- Solo travelers, couples
- Friends, families
- History nerds
- Photographers
- Japanophiles
- Hikers, trekkers
- Architecture lovers
- Nature lovers
Accessibility
- All-day walking tour
- Light hiking
- Not recommended for wheelchairs
Starts at ¥65,000
Customize Your Own Day Trip!
Choose your own adventure, dawg.
Private Tour
SUMMARY
Here’s a secret. All my tours are customized in one way or another. If you need a private tour or someone to make things smoother, or if you’re gathering contents and shooting video and need a fixer, I’m sure I can help out and get you sorted.
- Services
- Fixer
- Guide
- Liaison
- Historical consultant
- Interpreter
- Wingman
- Shoulder to cry on
