How to get there: Less than 1 hour by train 

Often referred to as “the Kyoto of the east”, Kamakura is a relaxed town of temples, shrines and beaches southwest of Tokyo. Seaside restaurants deliver the freshest local seafood and serene views of nearby Enoshima Island (and Mt. Fuji in the distance). Visit the colossal 11.3-metre-tall Great Buddha of Kamakura that has watched over Kotoku-in Temple and the surrounding forest since the 13th century. 

How to get there: Around 40 minutes by train 

South of Tokyo, this historic port city was one of the first to admit foreigners in the mid-19th century. As a result, Yokohama offers a mix of international influences alongside the traditional. Stroll from the country’s largest Chinatown to the futuristic shopping malls and hotels of Minato Mirai, or the “Port of the Future”. Yokohama is also the birthplace of jazz in Japan and classic bars like BarBarBar serve stiff drinks and smooth grooves most nights of the week. 

How to get there: Around 1.5 hours by train and bus

The sprawling Japanese gardens of Sankeien, just outside of Yokohama, feature traditional buildings arranged near ponds and waterways like a fairytale village. Once the estate of a wealthy silk merchant, the gardens were opened to the public in 1906. With an ancient pagoda, waterfalls, a bamboo grove and several tea houses and restaurants, you can easily spend a day here. 

How to get there: 1.5 hours by train

A classic romantic getaway for Tokyoites, Hakone is one of the hot spring towns closest to the capital. Soak in the soothing pools, ride a cable car over a volcanic landscape of billowing sulphur vents, explore the sculpture gardens of the Hakone Open-Air Museum or simply admire Mt. Fuji in the distance. For hot spring bathing without the nudity, Yunessun has a variety of indoor and outdoor baths and a swimwear zone where couples and families can bathe together.

How to get there: 40 minutes by bullet train

During the 1980s, Atami became a popular beach getaway for Japanese tourists. Today it still has kitsch hotels with gold chandeliers and retro cafes such as Pinetree, with its Space Invaders machines from the 1970s. Hatsushima Island is just a 30-minute ferry ride from Atami, where you can soak up the island vibe with seafood barbecues, diving and snorkelling.

How to get there: Around 2 hours by train

The five-storey red pagoda at Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine frames one of the most iconic views of Mt. Fuji. Visit in spring for fluffy clouds of cherry blossoms or in autumn for fiery red maple leaves. Stroll back to Shimoyoshida Station along Fujimichi Street for another perspective of Mt. Fuji as it rises above the streetscape.

How to get there: 1 hour by train

Step back in time to Japan's feudal past in the old merchant town of Kawagoe, north of Tokyo. The distinctive black mud-walled warehouses were built to protect valuable goods from fire. Today they house cafes and craft shops. Stroll through the historic streets and sample local Coedo beer and the town's famous sweet potato snacks in Kashiya Yokochō (“Candy Alley”), which is lined with sweet shops.

How to get there: 2 hours by train

Around 150 kilometres north of the capital, Nikko is situated on the edge of a national park and offers hiking trails, mountain views and the stunning Kegon Falls, which cascades 97 meters down from Lake Chuzenji. Visit World Heritage temples and shrines, including the elaborate Nikko Toshogu Shrine built in the 17th century. The road to the shrine is lined with over 12,000 towering cedar trees.

How to get there: Around 50 minutes by bullet train

A gateway to the hot springs and snow resorts just outside the city, Takasaki is watched over by a towering statue of Byakue Dai-Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The city is known for its hearty food, including spaghetti bolognese topped with a crispy fried pork cutlet. Takasaki is also the production centre for Japan's daruma dolls, hand-painted papier-mache symbols of good fortune. Shorinzan Darumaji Temple is full of these whimsical red figures, which cover almost every surface. 

How to get there: Around 2 hours by bullet train and express train

The Izu Peninsula south-west of Tokyo is a popular beach destination in summer and a hot spring escape in winter. It’s also one of the best diving spots near the capital, with warm currents bringing in a variety of tropical fish including yellow-striped butterfish and red cherry anthias. Visit the town of Shimoda on the eastern side of the peninsula for its excellent surfing spots and impressive sunsets.

How to get there: Around 1.5 hours by train

To the east of Tokyo, Mt. Nokogiri is perfect for an easy day hike. Halfway up the mountain is a 31-metre seated stone Buddha, while trails lined with Buddhist statues will lead you to another large Bodhisattva carved into the rock face on your way to the summit. Looking at these huge figures and then across Tokyo Bay to the distant city will make you appreciate the scale and craftsmanship.