In Tokyo, you might wander historic sites, experience traditional tea culture, or try something a little different at a theme park, then end the day by relaxing in elegance at a luxury bar. But day trips from Tokyo are also filled with diverse and unique experiences—whether it be making bamboo leaf-wrapped sweet rice cakes (sasa-dango) and enjoying traditional geisha banquet games/performances (ozashiki entertainment) with geisha in Niigata Prefecture, enjoying a boat ride and meditating at a temple in Chiba Prefecture, or making soba and heading out on a sunset and stargazing night cruise in Nagano Prefecture.
Tokyo is the capital of Japan and one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. Tokyo is a dynamic, world-leading city that attracts people from around the world.
In addition, by using public transportation such as the Shinkansen bullet train, express trains, and highway buses, visitors can enjoy a more enjoyable one-day tour of tourist attractions throughout Japan, starting in Tokyo.
8:50am: SHINJUKU STATION
Keio Line: Shinjuku → Chofu
Bus: Chofu-Station Kitaguchi → Jindaiji Shogakko
10:00am: JINDAIJI TEMPLE
Founded in 733, this historic temple is home to important cultural artifacts such as Hakuhobutsu (Shakyamuni Buddha Statue), a designated National Treasure, and the Bonsho (Temple Bell), which has been recognized as an Important Cultural Property. Located in an area with lush greenery and clear water, as well as various teahouses and specialty Jindaiji soba restaurants, meaning you'll be able to have fun exploring as well.
12:00pm: COMORI
The accommodation is located about a 3-minute walk away from Jindaiji. The Japanese-style room, designed to evoke the tranquil atmosphere of a tea room, features a large window offering a view of the trees behind the building. Here, you can take part in a tea workshop that will allow you to learn about Japanese culture.
Bus: Jindaiji Shogakko → Chofu station
Keio Line and Marunouchi Line: Chofu → Shinjuku → Ginza
3:00pm: ARTBAR GINZA
A facility where you can make art while relaxing with wine, non-alcoholic drinks, light snacks, and more. A popular activity is painting a papier-mâché beckoning cat (maneki-neko) to create your very own original beckoning cat.
Marunouchi Line: Ginza → Ikebukuro
6:00pm: HANABAR DRIEDFLOWERS & LIQUOR
Established by a dried-flower artist under the theme of "Flowers x Sake," this bar does not admit guests under 20 during bar hours. The menu is brimming with inventive dishes featuring edible flowers, offering a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.
10:20am: SHINJUKU STATION
Keio Line: Shinjuku → Keiō-yomiuri-land
11:00am: YOMIURI LAND
An amusement park with a variety of attractions. In the popular hands-on craft-making area, you can try making your own Nissin Yakisoba UFO. This is a unique and highly entertaining spot that also includes a white-water rafting-style attraction that lets you experience the entire production process of the Nissin Yakisoba UFO on an inflatable raft.
Keio Sagamihara Line, Keio Line, Keio New Line, and Asakusa Line: Keiō-yomiuri-land → Chofu → Sasazuka → Bakuro-yokoyama → Higashi-nihombashi → Kuramae
3:00pm: KAKIMORI
A stationery store with the concept, "We write with joy." Inside the stylish store, you'll find pens, ink, notebooks, and letter sets beautifully displayed. Here, you can create an original notebook by selecting each element—cover, pages, rings, and fasteners—to make it uniquely yours.
Asakusa Line and Oedo Line: Kuramae → Daimon → Azabu-juban
6:00pm: THE LIVELY BAR TOKYO AZABU JUBAN
Experience Tokyo nightlife at the bar on the top floor of the elegant urban hotel THE LIVELY, sipping original cocktails while looking out over the Tokyo Tower. The space comes alive with immersive sound and lighting, with striking art installations crafting a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
10:00am: TOKYO STATION
Shinkansen: Tokyo → Niigata
12:30pm: Tomisushi Niigata Eki-Mae Branch
A sushi restaurant that makes use of the rich fishing grounds along the Sea of Japan, taking advantage of the region’s unique characteristics to serve the freshest seafood. The Niigata Eki-Mae Branch is conveniently located just a few minutes' walk from Niigata Station, so you can enjoy ultra-fresh sushi as soon as you get off of the bullet train (Shinkansen). For lunch, the store manager recommends the "Sushi Zanmai" set!
Taxi: Tomisushi → Tanakaya Honten Minato Kobo
2:00pm: Tanakaya Honten Minato Kobo
A spot where you can try making bamboo leaf-wrapped sweet rice cakes (sasa-dango), the quintessential Niigata Prefecture gift/souvenir. Guided by the instructor, you'll wrap rice cakes filled with sweet red bean paste in bamboo leaves, and fasten them with strands of rush grass. This hands-on experience will let you connect with a beloved local specialty—and of course, the sasa-dango you make is yours to take home as a gift/souvenir. The store on the first floor also sells gifts/souvenirs.
Bus: Niigata → Toyoterucho
4:00pm: Furumachi Kagai (Furumachi Geisha Quarter)
Furumachi Kagai is a geisha quarter that still retains its traditional charming today, alongside other celebrated geisha quarters such as Kyoto's Gion, the teahouse districts of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, and Tokyo's Shinbashi and Kagurazaka. With its many atmospheric streets, it is an area where geisha-district culture is still palpable, with its Furumachi geisha and traditional Japanese restaurants (ryotei).
Bus: Rekishihakubutsukan-Mae → Higashihoridori 7-Bancho
5:00pm: JAPANESE CUISINE IKINARIYA
A long-established ryotei with a history of about 300 years. Savor exquisite Japanese cuisine prepared with the finest seasonal ingredients, while overlooking a vast garden of more than 6,600 m2, planted with centuries-old black pines and other historic trees. You can also enjoy conversation with and dancing by the Furumachi geisha (advance reservation required), for an unforgettable Niigata nightlife experience!
Taxi: JAPANESE CUISINE IKINARIYA → NIIGATA STATION
7:30pm: NIIGATA STATION
Shinkansen: Niigata → Tokyo
10:00am: TOKYO STATION
Wakashio (Limited Express): Tokyo → Katsuura
Taxi: Katsuura → Katsuura Marine Harbor
12:00pm: Katsuura Marine Harbor
Set out by boat from Katsuura Marine Harbor and enjoy a 45-minute cruise around Katsuura Bay. Toss a prayer ball (inoridama) toward the red torii gate on Hirashima, a local "power spot" (sacred site believed to bring good fortune); visit scenic spots such as Megane Iwa(Rock) and BRACK NOSE CAPE; and experience the speed and thrill of the boat on the "GURU GURU COURSE" for some pure exhilaration!
Taxi: Katsuura Marine Harbor → Myokaiji
2:30pm: Myoukaiji
A meditation experience where you can learn about Buddhism at a temple founded in 1359, with a view of the ocean. Step away from the noise of daily life to tune and reset both mind and body, as you learn the foundations of mindfulness—focusing on being fully present in the here and now. Take a moment just for yourself and feel refreshed. Don't miss the temple stamp (goshuin) made with traditional Japanese paper-cut art (kirie)!
Taxi: Myoukaiji → Katsuura
Wakashio (Limited Express) & Sotobo Line: Katsuura → Soga → Chiba
6:30pm: Chizue
A restaurant that revisits the flavors and richness of Chiba Prefecture's traditional and regional cuisine, by keeping to quality ingredients and authentic flavors. Here, you'll savor Chiba's traditional dishes and regional specialties, infused with the wisdom of generations past, alongside local sake—learning about the prefecture's traditional culture through its food.
9:10pm: CHIBA STATION
Narita Express (Limited Express): Chiba → Tokyo
7:15am: TOKYO STATION
Shinkansen: Tokyo → Nagano
Bus: Nagano → Togakushi Soba Hakubutsukan-Mae
10:00am: Togakushi Soba Museum Tonkururin
Located in Togakushi, one of Japan's leading soba-producing regions, this complex features a hands-on soba-making workshop, a museum introducing the history and tools for making soba, a restaurant, and more. In the soba-making experience, you'll roll out the dough using just a rolling pin, then boil the noodles you've made in a large pot. There's nothing quite like the taste of soba you've made with your own hands and can eat on the spot.
Bus: Togakushi Soba Hakubutsukan-Mae → Nagano
Snow Monkey (Nagano Dentetsu Limited Express): Nagano → Yudanaka
1:40pm: Private SPA&SAUNA U
A day-trip hot spring facility specializing in private baths, for an extraordinary experience. The much-talked-about chocolate mask sauna and chocolate hot spring are said to have a relaxing effect, as the components of the chocolate are absorbed by the skin in the warm environment. You can also enjoy craft beer and local burgers at the on-site café, purchase gifts/souvenirs made with Nagano Prefecture ingredients, or otherwise spend your time as you like.
Shuttle bus: Yudanaka → Ryuoo Mountain Resort (Ropeway base station)
Ropeway: Ropeway base → SORA terrace
4:10PM: SORA TERRACE (Unkai Herb Garden)
The Unkai Herb Garden, located just near SORA TERRACE, sits at an elevation of about 1,770 meters, filled with lots of flowers and the fragrance of herbs. Drinks made with freshly-picked herbs are sold at SORA TERRACE café. It's a great place to stop by after going around the gardens.
4:30pm: SORA TERRACE (Sunset & Starry Night Cruise)
SORA TERRACE features grassy lawns, hammocks, and rocky areas where you can relax and take in the sunset or stargaze from your favorite spot. We recommend getting take-out from the café for dinner and spending your time leisurely. Nights on the summit can be chilly, even in summer, so be sure to dress warmly!
*The Sunset & Starry Night Cruise is available only on Saturdays/Sundays (irregular) from July to September
Ropeway: SORA terrace → Ropeway base
Shuttle bus: Ryuoo Mountain Resort (Ropeway base station) → Yudanaka
Nagano Dentetsu Nagano Line: Yudanaka → Nagano
8:40pm: NAGANO STATION
Shinkansen: Nagano → Tokyo
Content Creator
Megan and Ben
(aka HitoBito)
Traveling the world with a grain of salt, Megan and Ben are a couple showcasing their eccentric life on YouTube. They feature Japanese culture, travel tips and tricks, and trendy hot spots. They love to discover the differences of life in Japan and the US, captivating the attention of a large global audience.
