{"id":31425,"date":"2021-05-19T11:59:06","date_gmt":"2021-05-19T10:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=31425"},"modified":"2025-02-24T11:07:56","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T11:07:56","slug":"tokyo-for-returners-the-art-of-the-day-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2021\/05\/19\/tokyo-for-returners-the-art-of-the-day-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"Tokyo for &#8216;returners&#8217;: the art of the day trip"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>So you\u2019ve been bitten by the Japan bug. We\u2019ve been there. (Actually, we\u2019re still there). You\u2019ve come back from your first (or maybe second? Or maybe third?) trip, and all you can think is that you have to go back. Like, now.<\/p>\n<p>The good news is that Japan is <em>even better <\/em>the more you get beneath the surface. Now that you\u2019ve ticked off your big-ticket, bucket-list sites, you\u2019ve got time to really explore \u2014 to dig into the lesser-known stuff, and step away from the beaten path.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to Tokyo, if you ask us, your next visit is all about embracing the day trip. Tokyo is surrounded by towns, villages, beaches, mountains and countryside \u2014 all beautiful, all fascinating, and all incredibly easy to access via Japan\u2019s brilliant public transport network. There are literally countless spots to discover, but these are a few of our favourites.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Mount Takao<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31518\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"A forested walking route at Mount Takao\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/markus-winkler-LWG3kBGCkJ0-unsplash-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Bet you didn\u2019t know there was a 599-metre forested mountain in metropolitan Tokyo! This is one of the city\u2019s loveliest green spaces, with hiking trails winding to the summit for spectacular views over Tokyo below. You can even see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/japanese-destinations\/mount-fuji\/\">Mount Fuji<\/a> on a clear day \u2014 though those are pretty rare. It\u2019s particularly popular during the cherry blossom and autumn leaves seasons, and on weekends. It\u2019s not hard to see why \u2014 Takao is absolutely stunning.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kamakura<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31509\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"The Great Buddha statue at Kamakura, Japan\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/yekaterina-golatkina-SZlha4nSbs-unsplash-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A hop, skip and jump (less than an hour\u2019s train ride) from Tokyo is seaside Kamakura, a former capital watched over for 600 years by its serene Great Buddha, a true icon of Japan. Once you\u2019ve said hi to the big guy, this is the place to take the pace down a notch or two \u2014 whether that means wandering to hilltop temples, lazing with a beer on the beach, or exploring the excellent bakeries and caf\u00e9s of the laid-back city centre. After Tokyo\u2019s crazy crowds, Kamakura is a welcome breath of fresh air.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Enoshima<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31494\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"Surfing in Enoshima, Japan\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1421\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash-1024x606.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash-768x455.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash-564x334.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash-1536x909.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash-2048x1213.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash-1200x711.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash-900x533.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash-720x426.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash-1440x853.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash-390x231.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash-780x462.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ye-linn-wai-Z5Pu-eFSq5w-unsplash-510x302.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A short train ride from Kamakura, just off the coast from a sweeping, golden beach, is the little ocean oasis of Enoshima. For an island just four kilometres in circumference, Enoshima really packs it in. Come to wash your money at shrines dedicated to the goddess of wealth, climb the 60-metre observation tower over the 19th century British botanical garden, explore caves named after legendary dragons, and soak in hot-spring baths at the Enospa. And that\u2019s just for starters!<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kawagoe<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31497\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"Toki no Kae bell tower in Kawagoe\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/kentaro-toma-B2PqqRIS6zE-unsplash-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Only half an hour from Tokyo, the town of Kawagoe is one of our all-time favourite day trips. With streets lined with clay-walled warehouses, it feels like stepping back in time to the Edo Period \u2014 but with a few little twists. Wander Penny Candy Lane to sample traditional snacks and watch old-fashioned sweets being made, drink artisan coffee at a trendy, farm-to-table caf\u00e9, and generally soak up the old-meets-new world atmosphere of this charming \u201cLittle Edo\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Yokohama<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31500\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"The Yokohama skyline illuminated at night\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/tunafish-180x65UmDM-unsplash-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Over the years, Yokohama and Tokyo have grown so massive that they\u2019re now one giant, sprawling megalopolis \u2014 but Japan\u2019s second-biggest city retains a unique character quite apart from its attention-grabbing neighbour. For a start, it was one of the earliest ports to be opened to foreign trade in the 19th century, which has left it with a distinctly cosmopolitan flavour \u2014 think seafront shopping centres in red-brick warehouses, and one of the biggest Chinatowns in the world. It\u2019s also home to the Cup Noodle Museum \u2014 an unexpectedly fun celebration of the humble instant ramen!<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Mito<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31542\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kairakuen-Plum-3.jpg\" alt=\"The plum blossoms of Kairakuen garden\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kairakuen-Plum-3.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kairakuen-Plum-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kairakuen-Plum-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kairakuen-Plum-3-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kairakuen-Plum-3-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kairakuen-Plum-3-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kairakuen-Plum-3-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kairakuen-Plum-3-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Once a major power base for the Tokugawa Shogunate, now an unassuming city known for its (famously smelly) fermented <em>natto <\/em>soy beans, Mito doesn\u2019t often appear on the traveller\u2019s radar \u2014 which is all the more reason to go there. It also has a hidden secret: it\u2019s home to one of Japan\u2019s top three most beautiful landscaped gardens, Kairakuen, whose 3,000 plum trees are spectacular when they bloom white, pink and red in spring.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kawaguchiko<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31503\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"Bicycles on the lake shore at Kawaguchiko\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/sunil-naik-0qLyOS81Iro-unsplash-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You know that iconic image of Mount Fuji reflected in a glassy lake, festoons of cherry blossom in the foreground? You\u2019re probably imagining Kawaguchiko. The most easily accessible of the five lakes surrounding Mount Fuji, this is a really stunning place to view Japan\u2019s tallest and most famous mountain (when the weather obliges, of course). It\u2019s beautiful at any time of year, but it\u2019s particularly stunning during the autumn leaves, when the skies are clearer and maple trees create tunnels of red around the lakeshore.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kasama<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31539\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kasama-Inari-Shrine_Fuji-3.jpg\" alt=\"Inari Shrine in Kasama\" width=\"900\" height=\"598\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kasama-Inari-Shrine_Fuji-3.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kasama-Inari-Shrine_Fuji-3-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kasama-Inari-Shrine_Fuji-3-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kasama-Inari-Shrine_Fuji-3-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kasama-Inari-Shrine_Fuji-3-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kasama-Inari-Shrine_Fuji-3-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kasama-Inari-Shrine_Fuji-3-780x518.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Kasama-Inari-Shrine_Fuji-3-510x339.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Back in the Edo Period, Kasama was an important castle town and post station for the Tokugawa Shogunate. Now, most people have never heard of it \u2014 but it\u2019s a wonderful day trip from Tokyo, known for its 1,300-year-old Inari Shrine, signature \u201cKasama-ware\u201d pottery, and cute streets full of arty shops and galleries. Visit at the right time of year and you\u2019ll even get to join in with the Azalea Festival or the Pottery Festival \u2014 both fantastic opportunities to let your hair down with the locals.<\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F31425\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! So you\u2019ve been bitten by the Japan bug. We\u2019ve been there. (Actually, we\u2019re still there). You\u2019ve come back from your first (or maybe second? Or maybe third?) trip, and all you can think is that you have to go back. Like, now. 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