There are so many great reasons to want to plan a trip to Tokyo during winter: the comforting (and delicious) food, long onsen visits, the beautiful winter illuminations that light up the city…and, of course, the Tokyo winter day trips!
Did you know you can go on a one-day snowboarding trip from Tokyo? Or see the magical little Edo in the snow? What about getting perfectly clear views of Mount Fuji with its iconic snowcap? In this post, I’m sharing all of this and more with you so that you can plan for the most fun, unique, and beautiful Tokyo winter day trips.
Visiting Japan this Winter?
Lucky you! There is so much to enjoy about Japan in the colder months… but I also know that the snow and cold weather can make planning difficult. Knowing exactly when to go, what to pack, and how to plan activities for wintery Japan is make-or-break to your trip.
This is why I recommend checking out our bespoke travel planning services. Let us help you to create the ultimate Japan winter itinerary! We make personalised itineraries and take over all the logistics, so all you have to do is turn up! Alternatively, you could consider joining our Sakura and Snow Monkey group trip for the best of both winter and spring in Japan.
Tokyo Winter Day Trips: 1 Hour Away
Kawagoe
If you don’t have the time to get down to Kyoto, then Kawagoe is the next best thing. It’s often called Koedo (little Edo) by locals in reference to the beautiful streets of pretty, old-Japan style buildings. Kurazukuri Street in particular looks straight out of the Edo period (1603 to 1867), with beautiful architecture, warehouses, and black clay walls.
There’s more than enough to do in Kawagoe to fill up 5+ hours of exploring, whilst also being close enough to Tokyo (45 minutes or less) to make it a super convenient day trip. In winter, you can enjoy bright, sunny, and clear days that are perfect for taking photos, or if you’re lucky, you can experience the picturesque scene of Kawagoe in the snow.
What to Do in Kawagoe:
- Explore the Edo architecture on Kurazukuri Street
- Stop by Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower), which has been ringing out for centuries
- Eat the local speciality of unagi (eel) for lunch
- Visit the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine to go fishing for your fortune
- Shop for retro sweets and souvenirs on Kashiya Yokocho (candy alley)
How to Get There:
From Ikebukuro Station, take the Tobu Tojo Line directly to Kawagoe (about 30 minutes on an express train). Alternatively, ride the Seibu Shinjuku Line from Seibu-Shinjuku Station to Hon-Kawagoe Station, which takes around 45 minutes on the Limited Express or about an hour on the regular express.
You can also travel by JR from Shinjuku in a little under an hour by taking the Saikyo Line or Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Omiya and then transferring to the JR Kawagoe Line.
Mount Takao
Mount Takao is such a lovely winter day trip for anyone who loves fresh mountain air and some gentle hiking. It’s also a great option for kids as the walking isn’t anything too strenuous, and there are lots of engaging stops along the way. Winter is a particularly great season to visit, as although it can get chilly, it’s the sunniest and driest time of year, when the views also tend to be the clearest. There are also fewer crowds than in spring or autumn.
From the bottom of the mountain, you can take a chair lift or tram to about halfway up (I recommend taking the chairlift up and tram back down). From there, you’ll find food vendors, amazing temples, and even a monkey park to see the Japanese macaques. At the mountain’s peak are stunning views of the surrounding mountain range, as well as a little restaurant serving noodles made with local veg.
What to Do at Mount Takao:
- Hike the scenic Trail 1, the most popular route lined with temples, shops, and viewpoints
- Visit Yakuo-in Temple, a historic mountain temple known for its tengu statues
- Have fun riding the cable car or chair lift
- Try tengu-yaki, the mountain’s famous red bean–filled snack shaped like a tengu mask
- Take in panoramic views of Tokyo (and Mount Fuji on clear days)
How to Get There:
From Shinjuku Station, take the Keio Line directly to Takaosanguchi Station, which takes about 50 minutes on a regular train or around 40 minutes on the Keio Limited Express.
Alternatively, you can ride the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku to Takao Station in about 40–45 minutes, then transfer to the JR Chuo Main Line for a quick 3-minute ride to Takaosanguchi.
Tokyo Winter Day Trips: 1.5 to 3 Hours Away
Hakone
Adding Hakone to this list is a no-brainer; winter is the season for hitting the onsen, and Hakone is one of the most famous onsen destinations in Japan. I do think it is best experienced with an overnight stay at a local ryokan, but if you only have a day, it’s still well worth the 90-minute trip from Tokyo.
The whole Hakone area is utterly breathtaking. There are sweeping mountain and pristine waterside landscapes, ancient historical sites, and, of course, no shortage of amazing outdoor and private onsen. There are lots of choices for things to do (as you’ll see below), meaning you can really tailor a day trip to your personal taste, whether that be history, culture, or nature-based.
What to Do in Hakone:
- Ride the Hakone Ropeway for panoramic views of the Owakudani volcanic valley
- Cruise across Lake Ashi on a sightseeing boat and enjoy views of Mount Fuji on clear days
- Visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum to see outdoor sculptures set against mountain scenery
- Take in the views whilst relaxing in an outdoor onsen
- Explore Hakone Shrine and walk along its cedar-lined paths to the lakeside torii gate
How to Get There:
From Shinjuku Station, take the Odakyu Romancecar for about 85 minutes to Hakone-Yumoto Station. For JR Pass holders, you can instead take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo or Shinagawa to Odawara Station, which takes around 35 minutes on the Kodama or Hikari trains. From Odawara, transfer to the Hakone Tozan Line for the short ride up to Hakone-Yumoto.
Get our 1-day Hakone itinerary
Kawaguchiko
Kawaguchiko is one of the Mount Fuji Five Lakes, which surround the famous volcano. It’s also the most convenient (and fastest) to reach from Tokyo, making it my recommendation if you’re hoping to see Fuji-san on a day trip from the city. I also love going in winter, as you have a better chance of clear views of Fuji, plus you get to see it with its snow cap (aka at its most iconic).
The area itself is also a treasure to visit, even beyond the Mount Fuji views. You can take a ropeway up to the top of a nearby mountain for 360-degree views, hike either through the mountains or around the lake, and warm up with a hot bowl of the region’s speciality dish, hotou (hand-cut noodles in a thick vegetable broth).
What to Do in Kawaguchiko:
- Take the Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway for some of the region’s best views
- Visit the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, known for its beautiful kimono art and serene garden
- Walk or rent bikes to cycle around the perimeter of Lake Kawaguchi
- Stop by the Chureito Pagoda for one of the most famous Mount Fuji viewpoints (but be prepared for crowds and lots of steps)
- Enjoy a hearty bowl of hotou noodles
How to Get There:
From Shinjuku Station, you can take the Fuji Excursion limited-express train for around two hours to Kawaguchiko Station. You can also catch a highway bus directly to Kawaguchiko, which takes one hour and 45 minutes without traffic.
Interested in the best ways to see Mount Fuji?
Jigokudani Snow Monkeys and Nagano
Jigokudani in Nagano is home to Japan’s super cute snow monkeys, who famously bathe in the natural hot springs throughout winter. Getting all the way there from Tokyo to see them is 100% possible to do in a day…you just have to be ready for it to be quite a long day. It’s also important to plan it perfectly so you don’t waste any time along the way.
You’ll need to take an early morning Shinkansen to Nagano, then catch the bus to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Most people spend around 90 minutes to two hours there, walking and watching the Japanese macaques. There’s also plenty to do in around Nagano apart from the monkeys, like visiting Zenko-ji Temple (one of Japan’s most historically important Buddhist temples), and sampling local foods (trying the different oyaki dumpling flavours is one of my favourite things to do there).
What to Do in Nagano:
- Watch the snow monkeys bathing and playing in Jigokudani
- Explore Zenko-ji Temple and the surrounding shopping streets
- Warm up with fresh oyaki dumplings
- Eat the different wasabi products (the prefecture’s speciality)
- Try sake at the Nishinomon-Yoshinoya Sake Brewery
How to Get There:
To get to Nagano, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen for 80 minutes directly to Nagano Station. To then get to Jigokudani Monkey Park, you can catch the Nagaden Snow Monkey Express Bus from Stop 23, outside of Nagano Station. It takes about 50 minutes and runs six times a day between 9 am and 3 pm.
Tokyo Winter Day Trips: Snowboarding and Skiing
Gala Yuzawa
Gala Yuzawa is probably the easiest ski resort to reach from Tokyo, especially if you’re going there and back in a single day. It takes 75 minutes on the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to get there, with plenty of English-speaking ski instructors and places to rent your gear from.
The first train leaves before 7 am, and I recommend booking your ticket in advance to make sure you get a seat (it gets super popular during the peak winter season). You can also book your rental stuff in advance to save valuable time on the day, including your ski jacket, snow trousers, and helmet.
The resort is very well suited for beginners, so if this is your first time on the slopes, I would definitely recommend the winter day trip from Tokyo. It can get crowded, though, so if you want to avoid the crowds, you could also opt to get the free shuttle service from Echigo Yuzawa Station to Ishiuchi Ski Resort, which is usually a lot less busy.
How to Get There:
From Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Gala Yuzawa Station, which takes about 75 to 90 minutes on the Tanigawa or Max Tanigawa trains. The ski resort is directly connected to the station, so you can step off the train and be at the lifts within minutes.
Discover more ski resorts in Japan
Karuizawa
Karuizawa is incredibly beautiful, with lots of snow activities, even if you don’t like to ski or snowboard. It’s only an hour away by Shinkansen to reach the Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Area, where you can ski and snowboard, but also try out sledging and snow-tubing. There’s a sightseeing lift, too, if you just want to enjoy the snowy mountain views.
There are gentle slopes and ski lessons at Karuizawa, making it good for first-timers. You can book rental gear in advance to keep the day simple, and (my favourite part) hit the local onsen to soothe any sore muscles before hopping on the bullet train back to Tokyo.
How to Get There:
Catch the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Karuizawa Station, which takes about 70 minutes. From the station, the Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Area is only a 5-minute walk away, making it extremely convenient for a day trip.
How to Choose the Best Tokyo Winter Day Trip?
It all comes down to what you’re looking for. If you’re only in Tokyo for your trip, but want a glimpse at an older/quieter Japan, then I’d recommend Kawagoe or Hakone. If seeing the magnificent Mount Fuji is important to you, then I think Kawaguchiko has to be the choice. For fresh, mountain air, I’d choose Mount Takao. When it comes to a snow resort day trip, Gala Yuzawa is the easiest, with lots of people doing the same day trip every weekend in winter…but that does mean crowds. If you don’t mind a smaller snow resort and slightly longer journey, then you’ll love Karuizawa.
The truth is, there’s no bad option! Luckily, Japan is filled with beautiful destinations with amazing options, no matter what season you are here.
Winter Day Trips from Tokyo FAQs
Is January too cold to visit Tokyo?
January in Tokyo is winter at its coldest, but whilst it can feel chilly, it rarely snows in the city itself. With a warm coat, scarf, and layers, it’s perfectly comfortable for sightseeing. In fact, winter is a great time to visit Tokyo because the skies are often clear, making city views and even Mount Fuji more visible.
Is winter a bad time to go to Japan?
Not at all! There are lots of reasons to visit Japan in winter, like the fewer crowds at major tourist spots, clear skies for photographing Mount Fuji, and unique experiences such as onsens (hot springs) and seeing Japan in the snow.
How cold is it in Tokyo at Christmas?
In late December, Tokyo’s daytime temperatures typically range from 7–12°C, dropping to around 1–5°C at night. It’s generally dry, with crisp, clear days, and it rarely snows in Tokyo itself.
Can you see Mount Fuji in winter?
Yes, winter is actually one of the best times to see Mount Fuji. The cold air tends to be clear and crisp, giving unobstructed views, and the mountain is fully capped with snow, making it look iconic.
Where is the closest place to Tokyo to get snow?
It does lightly snow in and around Tokyo for a few days each year. However, for snow deep enough for skiing and snowboarding, the closest places are Gala Yuzawa and Karuizawa, both reachable by shinkansen in about 70–90 minutes.
