Kanto

Japan's capital region centered on Tokyo, covering one metropolis and six prefectures, with a mega-city, the ancient capital of Kamakura, UNESCO-listed Nikko and the hot springs of Hakone.

This region is defined by whole prefectures and includes Tokyo Metropolis plus Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma: one metropolis and six prefectures. The Izu Islands and Ogasawara Islands, which are administered by Tokyo, are counted as part of Kanto along with it. Following common travel practice, Mt. Fuji and Hakone are included in Kanto as an exception, and so are the Fuji Five Lakes and other Mt. Fuji sights on the Yamanashi side; the rest of Yamanashi remains part of Chubu.

Highlights: in Tokyo, Sensoji Temple, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza and a wide range of museums; Yokohama's Minato Mirai and Chinatown; the Great Buddha of Kamakura, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and the Enoshima coast; Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Lake Chuzenji; Hakone's hot springs, Lake Ashi and views of Mt. Fuji; Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma, Kawagoe's “Little Edo” in Saitama, and Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki; and the Ogasawara Islands, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.

Classic itinerary: for a first visit, 4–5 days in Tokyo, plus a day trip to Kamakura and Yokohama, a one- or two-day trip to Nikko, and a two-day trip to Hakone or the Fuji Five Lakes, for a total of 7–9 days. Hot spring lovers can add Kusatsu or Kinugawa. The Ogasawara Islands are about 24 hours each way by ferry, so allow at least 6 days for the round trip.

Getting around: Narita and Haneda are the two main airports. The JR, subway and private railway networks are extremely dense, and the Suica card works throughout. Take the Tobu limited express to Nikko, the Odakyu Romancecar to Hakone, and a JR limited express plus a bus to Kusatsu.

Good to know: hotel prices soar during cherry blossom season, autumn foliage season and Golden Week; avoid taking large luggage on trains at rush hour; and take precautions against heatstroke in the scorching summer.

Destinations

Itineraries