Day-tripping: 5 Destinations that are One Bullet Train Trip From Tokyo

Explore more of Japan with these destinations that are two hours or less from Tokyo via the Shinkansen bullet train.

Tokyo is an adventure in and of itself, but there is much more to explore around Japan’s iconic capital city – thanks to the Shinkansen bullet train! The comprehensive network offers travelers in Tokyo the flexibility to take in the country even if they only have one day to spare in their itinerary; a convenience Malaysians appreciate given our developing system.

The Shinkansen is your gateway to so much more of Japan. Photo Credit: JR EAST

In this article, we’ll explore five incredible destinations – Sendai, Takasaki, Karuizawa, Mishima and Hamamatsu – that are less than a two-hour Shinkansen bullet train ride away from Tokyo. From pristine countrysides to ancient hot springs, there’s a destination in this list that you’ll want to add to your itinerary the next time you visit Tokyo.

Sendai (Tohoku Shinkansen)

Sendai's zelkova trees are illuminated during winter. Photo Credit: ©Sentia

Proudly known as the City of Trees thanks to the verdant Japanese zelkova trees that line many of its main thoroughfares, Sendai is a perfect break from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. It’s just a short hour-and-a-half ride from Tokyo Station on the JR East Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train. The leaves of the zelkova trees turn gold in autumn and receive romantic illuminations during winter, making it an amazing picture spot, and is even home to one of the largest tanabata festivals (star festival) in the summer, so there’s always something to see no matter the time of year.

One particular feature of Sendai is Akiu — a natural onsen with a history dating back Japan’s Kofun Period (mid-3rd century to 7th century), when it became known as one of Japan’s three imperial hot springs after Emperor Kinmei took a bath in the onsen and was cured of pox. Akiu Onsen features Chloride and Sulphate springs alongside simple hot springs, and is popular with travelers not just for the hot springs but also for its gorgeous natural surroundings.

Akiu’s stunning natural geography. Photo Credit: ©Sentia

Those more adventurous can opt to explore the Rairaikyo Gorge which follows the Natori River with its unusual and dynamic rock formations. One may trek into the forest to gaze upon the waters of Akiu Otaki Falls as they pour down from a height of fifty-five meters into the river below or wander the sheer untamed beauty of Futakuchi Canyon to catch sight of animals including the Japanese macaques and serow.

Check out this Muslim-friendly spot:

Sendai is home to Sendai Masjid, one of the oldest mosques in the Tohoku region. The masjid is also home to the Islamic Cultural Center of Sendai and is a regular community gathering spot for Muslims in the city.

For halal food options in the area, check out Halal Hub, which offers halal Bangladeshi food. Malaysians will be familiar with some of their most popular offerings, such as biryani, chicken tikka, chapati, and various curries. Halal Hub also offers prayer room facilities for Muslim patrons.

Akiu Onsen (Website)

Akiu Sato Center, 40-7 Teradahara, Yumoto, Akiumachi, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture 982-0241

How to get there: From JR Sendai Station, take the Western Liner bus for approximately 30 minutes until the Akiu Sato Center bus stop

Halal Hub (Website)
2-6-19 Kashiwagi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture 981-0933
How to get there: From JR Sendai Station, board the 999 or 899 bus on the Kitayama-Kodaira Town line for 32 minutes until Kashiwagi.

Sendai Masjid (Website)
7-7-24 Hachiman, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture 980-0871
How to get there: From JR Sendai Station, ride the bus for 25 minutes until the Hachiman 7-chome bus stop. From the bus stop, walk for 5 minutes.

Takasaki (Joetsu Shinkansen)

Takasaki's natural beauty.

Famed for its steam locomotives, Daruma dolls and high-altitude hot springs, Takasaki is a picturesque city less than an hour outside Tokyo via the JR East Hokuriku or Joetsu Shinkansen. The city itself is not a very big one, but the charm of Takasaki lies in its sprawling countryside with painterly views of mountains in the distance.

Takasaki is home to Mt. Haruna, a mountain with volcanic origins that features unique geological formations offering many hiking paths of various difficulty levels. Atop Mount Haruna, you’ll find one of Takasaki’s treasures: Lake Haruna. The caldera lake was formed by volcanic activity and is a popular spot throughout the year with plenty of experiences for visitors to enjoy. Boating, fishing, and camping are on offer at the lake, which also hosts seasonal events such as the Lake Haruna Fireworks Festival in the summer, and the Lake Haruna Illumination Festival in December. 

The pristine Lake Haruna beside Mt. Haruna.

The city features attractions such as Misato Moss Phlox Park, a once-a-year attraction that sees the pink moss phlox, also known as Shibazakura, blooming and carpeting the ground and skyline in shades of pink from mid-April to early May. Flower lovers who miss the peak blooming season can still enjoy stunning floral displays year-round at Hanadaka Flower Viewing Hill.

Check out this Muslim-friendly spot:

Batachiki offers Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine familiar to Malaysians, with their signature butter chicken curry leading the way amongst a list of regular favorites such as naan and tandoori chicken.

Mt. Haruna (Website)

Harunako-machi, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture 370-3348
How to get there: From JR Takasaki Station, ride the Takasaki-Haruna Lake Line bus for approximately one and a half hours.

Batachiki

46-1, 7F, Takasaki OPA, Yashima-cho, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture 370-0849
How to get there: From JR Takasaki Station, head west for 2 minutes.

Karuizawa (Hokuriku Shinkansen)

Mt. Asama from Mt. Asama Magma Stone Park.

A popular getaway for Tokyo locals escaping the hustle and bustle of the city via a quick hour-long trip on the JR East Hokuriku Shinkansen, Karuizawa offers the best of big-city convenience with plenty of shopping and food to explore next to scenic natural views. Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza, the town's historic heart, perfectly captures the essence of Karuizawa: a trendy neighborhood with cafes and boutiques nestled amidst stunning mountain scenery.

Visitors can opt to lean into the natural beauty of Karuizawa at Mt. Asama Magma Stone Park. Filled with solidified lava from the eruption of the still-active volcano Mt. Asama in 1783, the park, which borders the Gunma and Nagano prefectures, is home to surreal rock formations that you can view on the many hiking trails that provide a view of the volcano looming in the distance. The more intrepid adventurer can even hike up Mt. Asama to a roped-off section near the top that prevents people from getting too close to the smoking crater.

No river flows into Shiraito Falls, giving it a unique appearance.

Another unusual view Malaysians may find interesting is the Shiraito Falls. Only three meters high, the fall boasts a 70-meter span that creates the effect that gives it its name: ‘the waterfall of white threads’.

Check out this Muslim-friendly spot:

RK Garden is a fully vegan outdoor cafe with an adjacent flower shop. The cafe offers vegan takes on dishes like their signature laksa, a dish loved by many Malaysians. Given the outdoor nature of the cafe, it is closed during the winter months, so do plan accordingly.

Mt. Asama Magma Stone Park (Website)

1053 Kanbara, Tsumagoi, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture 377-1593

How to get there: It is approximately a 40-minute taxi ride to get to Mt. Asama Magma Stone Park from JR Karuizawa Station.

Shiraito Falls (Website)

Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture 389-0111

How to get there: Take a Karuizawa-Kusatsu Line bus for 20 minutes to the Shiraito Falls stop from JR Karusizawa Station.

RK Garden (Website)
1138-1 Oiwake, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture 389-0115
How to get there: From JR Karuizawa Station, ride the Shinano Tetsudo Line for 8 minutes until Shinano-Oiwake Station. From the station, walk northeast for 1.5km or take a taxi.

Mishima (Tokaido Shinkansen)

Visitors walk along the stepping stones on Genbe River.

Just 50 minutes outside Tokyo via the JR Tokaido Shinkansen, Mishima earns its title as the "City of Water" thanks to the crystal-clear Genbe River, fed by snowmelt from the mountain. The river is an attraction in and of itself, with a stepping stone path letting you walk on the waters through the town.

Given the town’s deep connection to Mount Fuji, it’s only right that one of Mishima’s key attractions is the Mishima Skywalk — a 400-meter skywalk offering a grand view of the Mishima countryside and Mount Fuji itself. The Mishima Skywalk, Japan’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge, is also home to an outdoor park that features long zip slides, adventure courses, and more for those with a taste for defying gravity.

Mount Fuji from the Mishima Skywalk.

After sating your taste for adventure, enjoy a tranquil stroll through Rakujuen Park, a serene oasis built by the Imperial Family Komatsu-no-miya in 1890. The park features Kohama Pond, a Japanese-style garden fed by the pristine meltwater of Mount Fuji, and is particularly popular during the spring cherry blossom season and during the autumn for its fall foliage.

Check out this Muslim-friendly spot:

Yamashichi is a sushi restaurant specializing in sushi, sakura shrimp dishes, and cuisine using local specialties. The restaurant caters to halal and gluten-free dietary requirements upon request, so be sure to enjoy the fresh seafood. A prayer room for Muslim customers comes equipped with prayer mats and a wudu room.

Mishima Skywalk (Website)

313 Sasaharashinden, Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture, 411-0012

How to get there: Take a N65 bus from JR Mishima station for approximately 20 minutes.

Rakujuen Park (Website)

19-3 Ichiban-cho, Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture 411-0036

How to get there: Walk for three minutes from JR Mishima Station.

Sushi Yamashichi (Website)
3-3-10 Kambara, Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, 421-3203
How to get there: From JR Mishima Station, take a Tokai line to Shin Kambara Station, then walk for 5 minutes.

Hamamatsu (Tokaido Shinkansen)

Hamamatsu Flower Park in bloom. Photo Credit: Hamamatsu Flower Park

Renowned for its craftsmanship, Hamamatsu is a place where art thrives, inspired by the city's stunning natural beauty. Surrounded by rivers, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean, Hamatsu provides an opportunity to indulge in some of Japan’s unique natural beauty, like the Nakatajima Dunes along the Enshu Sea coastline, located just an hour and a half outside Tokyo via the JR Tokaido Shinkansen.

Visitors can't miss the sight of Hamamatsu Flower Park upon visiting. Spanning 300,000 square meters of botanical gardens that boast 3,000 species of flower, Hamamatsu Flower Park offers stunning views all year round with picturesque landscaping and a symphony of natural color that will leave visitors in awe. Beyond the stunning floral displays, the park offers a variety of attractions, including a zoological garden and a children's play area complete with a Ferris wheel.

The view of Lake Hamana from Mt. Okusa. Photo Credit: Hamamatsu and Lake Hamana Tourism Bureau

Once upon a time a freshwater lake, Lake Hamana now offers a scenic refuge with plenty of activities for both thrillseekers and those looking for a more leisurely experience. Wakeboarding, parasailing, and windsurfing are just some of the activities that can be enjoyed alongside fishing, hiking, and cycling. There are plenty of seasonal events to enjoy if your trip falls at the right time of the year, with the lake hosting traditional torch fishing and clam hunting in the spring, and fireworks festivals in the summer.

Check out this Muslim-friendly spot:

Matahari Cafe offers Indonesian food well-known to Malaysians such as lontong sayur, mie bakar and more. The restaurant only uses halal meats.

Hamamatsu Flower Park (Website)

195 Kanzanji-cho, Chuo Ward, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture 431-1209

How to get there: From JR Hamamatsu Station, take a bus for approximately 40 minutes until the Flower Park bus stop. From there, walk for 4 minutes.

Matahari Cafe (Website)

11-3, 2F Asahi‐cho, Chuo Ward, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture 430-0927

How to get there: From JR Hamamatsu Station, head west for 4 minutes.

Tokyo serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the surrounding region, with many day trip destinations within easy reach. We hope this article inspires you to explore beyond Tokyo and discover the many hidden gems accessible via the extensive JR East Shinkansen network.