One day out of the city can be the highlight of a family trip. The simplest way to fit one in is to add a night in Tokyo, leave your bags at home, and come back to the same beds in the evening.
Choose by your children's ages
・Toddlers and preschoolers: Yokohama: About 30 minutes from Shinjuku. The Cup Noodles Museum, the waterfront park and Chinatown sit close together, so short legs are not walking far.
・Young children who love boats and cable cars: Hakone: About 80 minutes from Shinjuku on the Romancecar. A pirate-ship cruise on Lake Ashi and the ropeway make the day feel like a string of small adventures.
・Children who like history or temples: Nikko: About 1 hour 50 minutes from Asakusa on the Tobu limited express. The shrines in the cedar forest are a short bus ride from the station.
・Older children and teenagers: Mount Takao: About 50 minutes from Shinjuku. A cable car or chairlift does most of the climb, and the paths at the top suit every pace.
・Beach and sea views: Kamakura and Enoshima: About 1 hour from Shinjuku. The Great Buddha in the morning, the island walkways in the afternoon.
How a day trip fits into your stay
- Plan the day trip for the middle of your stay, not the first or last day, when jet lag or packing takes over.
- Pick a trip with one direct train from your nearest station, so nobody has to change trains with tired children.
- If the day has many stairs, take a baby carrier instead of the stroller.
- For more ideas, see Easy Day Trips from Tokyo and Easy Mini-Trips Near Tokyo.
Family Tips
- On weekdays, travel after the morning rush (about 7:30 to 9:30). At weekends, leave early and be back before dinner.
- Book reserved seats on limited express trains at weekends and in school holidays.
- Pack snacks and a change of clothes. Mountain and coastal weather changes quickly.