Last Updated: 25/07/2023
The Tokyo metropolis is a beautiful and always exciting place to live in or visit, complete with glamorous shopping malls, constant traffic, countless high rises, and a population that’s tirelessly on the go. Weekend trips from Tokyo offer just the thing to escape the hustle and bustle of the city when you feel you’ve had enough of modern life. Venture to the country’s fresh outdoors and enjoy carefree airsoft war games, sake tasting tours of traditional breweries, and camping car trips complete with barbecue expeditions. There’s no shortage of great ideas for your weekend trips from Tokyo!
Easily accessible and short distances from the city, you won’t have to endure long travels to get to these awesome places. You can go and be back within the extent of the weekend, and show up for work or other duties on Monday morning with no trouble at all! Mt Fuji and its five lakes are within 70km distance from the capital, as is Hakone’s generous collection of getaway tours, entailing kayaking, mountain biking, handicrafts, and segway tours. Go back to simpler times playing in waterfall slides and trekking in Japan’s most authentic forests.
Here’s more on what weekend trips from Tokyo have to offer:
1. A Tokyo getaway for your taste buds
Hidden in a beautiful periphery of Tokyo, Tama river offers scenic shores excellent for a weekend cookout! You don’t need to venture beyond city limits for an outdoor bbq Tokyo getaway of delicious meats, seafood, and fresh vegetables!
Traditional folk barbecue
Mitakehoncho, Ome, Tokyo
Hot spring & BBQ ingredients full set
Chofu City, Tokyo
2. Canoeing on the paradisiacal Lake of Chuzenji
Above Nikko town, Lake Chuzenji stands tall with its layers of autumn shades and views of lush mountain ranges. It offers a refreshingly different contrast to Tokyo, in addition to rare animals and divine grasslands!
Enjoy a Scenic Canoeing Tour Around Lake Chuzenji (Family-Friendly Evening Course)
Nikko, Tochigi
Relish the Wonderful Views and Autumn Leaves of Lake Chuzenji on a Canoe!
Nikko, Tochigi
Family-Friendly Early Morning Canoeing Tour on Lake Chuzenji!
Nikko, Tochigi
3. Minakami river rafting: Fun with rapids
Gunma’s oases of nature are a 2-hour drive from Tokyo, but they make up for the distance with some of the most turquoise and secluded waters ever. Rafting in the riverscape of Minakami town will wash away your troubles!
Enjoy the Beautiful Scenery of Tone River While Rafting in a Half-Day Tour *Availability depends on seasons
Minakami, Gunma
Splashdown the Torrents and Feel the Thrill of White River Rafting of Tone River! *Availability depends on seasons
Minakami, Gunma
4. Keep warm via day trips to hot springs
As the months quickly tick down toward the latter part of the year, the cold only grows stronger with winter lurking. Enoshima and Hakone offer the best hot springs near Tokyo to escape the dwindling temperatures!
Thermae-Yu Hotspring in Shinjuku
Shinjuku City, Tokyo
5. ATV tours: Create your own fast and furious
Riding a buggy in the city can be cumbersome, but it’s not the case in the beautiful wilderness of Minakami. Rev across the vast green playground on a four-wheeler and explore raw nature in its element!
Enjoy the Superb View and Feel the Wind in an Exhilarating 4-Wheel Buggy Tour (1-day course)
Minakami, Gunma
Half-Day 4-Wheel Buggy Ride Tour in Gunma with Hot Spring Experience Included (No Driving License Required)
Minakami, Gunma
Tokyo Desert ✕ Buggy Tour ★ Run through the great outdoors with a four-wheeled buggy! To the only black desert in Japan!
Okata, Oshima, Tokyo
One Day 4-Wheel Buggy Ride Tour in Chiba (Lunch Included) (No Driving License Required)
Shido, Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture
6. Paragliding in vibrant blue and green
Leave behind the sky of scrappers in Tokyo, for the endless broad plains of Kanto and Saitama. Soar and explore the field of blue above on a paragliding tour as you admire the large green that stretches out below like a boundless carpet!
Beginner-Friendly Half-Day Tandem Paragliding Flight Experience
Nasu, Tochigi
7. Retreating to the caves and waterfall slides of Gunma
Attention all you canyoners, your next great challenge lies in Gunma, a prefecture of mountains and hot springs. Minakami, in particular, is synonymous with undisturbed caves and pristine waterfall slides very few know about!
Explore the Natural Pool of Oze Hidden Area in a Canyoning Guided Tour! *Availability depends on seasons
Katashina, Gunma
Slide Down the Natural Water Slides and Explore the Nature with a Guided Canyoning Tour in Minakami *Availability depends on seasons
Minakami, Gunma
8. Explore Hakone’s meaty buffet of attractions
Enjoy a night under Hakone’s view of the Milky Way, after spending the day out kayaking around the tori gate of Lake Ashi. Hakone’s many delights also include mountain biking in forests, geisha dances, and fishing!
Relish the Beautiful Nature Scenery and the Amazing Torii Gate with a Kayaking Tour at Lake Ashi
Hakone, Kanagawa
Experience the Thrill of Mountain Biking and Relax in the Scenic Views of Lake Ashi in Hakone
Hakone, Kanagawa
Relish the Greenery Forest Views with a Mountain Bike Tour in Hakone
Hakone, Kanagawa
9. Sample seasonal beauties trekking Takao & Hachijojima
Mount Takao is inhabited by interesting flora and fauna. You can learn all about its nature with a guided mountain climb that rewards trekkers with views of Mt Fuji, weather permitting. Hachijojima is also known for its breathtaking hikes!
One Day Trekking Tour at the World Heritage Site Ogasawara!
Chichijima, Ogasawara, Tokyo
10. Segway tours: Less effort, more sightseeing
Lake Ashi’s shores host a maze of lovely indigenous trees parted by relaxing roads that make for the segway rides of a lifetime. Another two-wheeler option also ensures effortless sightseeing in the beautiful Showa memorial park!
Hakone Lake Ashinoko Segway Tour
Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa
In conclusion, Tokyo's surroundings offer a diverse and exciting range of activities for every type of adventurer. Whether you're seeking the thrill of paragliding, the tranquility of a hot springs soak, or the camaraderie of a riverside BBQ, these weekend trips from Tokyo promise to deliver unforgettable memories. By canoeing on Lake Chuzenji, rafting in Minakami, or simply going on an exhilarating ATV ride, you'll see Japan from a whole new perspective. So why wait? Pack your adventurous spirit and get ready to discover the gems hidden just beyond the bustling city. Your perfect weekend getaway starts now!
Frequently asked questions
QWhere can I go for a great weekend from Tokyo?
AWith lots of fresh air, good food, and natural beauty, these are the best weekend trips from Tokyo:
• Outdoor Tokyo BBQs
• Funabashi camping-car rentals from Tokyo
• Mt Fuji bus Tours from Tokyo
• Chiba Airsoft games
• Yokohama sake tasting tours
• Lake Kawaguchi boating tours
QWhat kid-friendly experiences for the whole family are available from Tokyo?
AChildren are always considered in the plans of Activity Japan, and we have so many trip ideas for you, making up endless family holiday choices:
• Minakami ATV tours
• Lake Chezenji boating tours
• Gunma waterfall and caves exploration
• Minakami river rafting
QAre there Tokyo camping cars available for renting?
ACamper car rental options are in plenty in and around Tokyo. You can book a stylish RV for glamping in Chiba and Saitama, or even take rental camping-car Tokyo tours from Meguro and Minato and head out to Mt. Fuji. Kanagawa has excellent camper rentals too!
QWhat are the best places to visit on Bus tours from Tokyo?
AThese Tokyo bus tours make for the best weekend trips from Tokyo:
• Snow monkey tours from Tokyo with complimentary lunch
• Skybus tour involving Tokyo’s best attractions
• Hakone and Mt. Fuji one-day trips
• Lake Kawaguchi 1 Day trip, encompassing Mt. Fuji
• Asakusa tours that span Tokyo bay and Meiji shrine
QAre there any good outdoor barbecue locations in Tokyo?
AFor excellent food and nature, there are countless opportunities with our many plans for outdoor bbq Tokyo. The experiences entail the best local beef, seafood, and other kinds of meat. Fresh vegetables are also available, while the locations spanning from riverside to beautiful parks, and more!