3 recommended winter one-day trips based in Tokyo!

• Table of Contents
• The benefits of using Tokyo as a base for your travels
• 1. GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort (Niigata Prefecture) | Just 71 minutes from Tokyo! Enjoy snow activities without having to bring anything with you
• 2. Hakone(Kanagawa Prefecture) | A Day of Hot Springs, Art, and Spectacular Winter Views of Mount Fuji
• If you're heading to Hakone from Tokyo , we recommend staying at JR KYUSHU HOTEL Blossom Shinjuku in Tokyo , Tokyo.
• 3. Kawagoe(Saitama Prefecture) | Experience the nostalgic winter scenery of Japan in Little Edo
• Enjoy a convenient and comfortable day trip in Shinjuku/Hibiya, the heart of Tokyo

The benefits of using Tokyo as a base for your travels

1. GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort (Niigata Prefecture) | Just 71 minutes from Tokyo! Enjoy snow activities without having to bring anything with you

Come empty-handed! Experience the snow country the fastest by Shinkansen

GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort, located in Yuzawa Town , Niigata Prefecture , is a rare snow resort connected directly to a train station. You can enjoy the snowy world on any day without having to bring anything with you or make a reservation. It's perfect for travel plans where you want to see snow for just one day or combine a stay in Tokyo with a snow experience.

Convenient access with direct access to the Shinkansen station

The shortest journey time from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen is 71 minutes. The ski resort is directly connected to Gala Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu .

The ski center is located right outside the ticket gate, making it an extremely accessible location.

Ticket purchases, rentals, lockers, and the ropeway station are all located within the facility, so you can enjoy the resort empty-handed. You can simply change into your ski wear and head straight to the slopes, a convenience that only GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort can offer.

A snow resort with a wide variety of fun activities

■ Enjoy a variety of ski and snowboard courses

There are a variety of courses from beginner to advanced, with a total of 16 courses and 11 lifts in operation. There are also foreign language schools with instructors, so even first-timers can enjoy the resort with peace of mind.

■ "Snow Play Park" is popular with families

This is a snow play park where the sledding area and the free snow play area are completely separated. The area is surrounded by netting, so even small children can safely play in the snow to their heart's content.

■ Snow Adventure

Toyotomi of activities other than skiing, such as the thrilling snowmobile sledding tour and snow tubing. Enjoy the fantastic winter snowscape along with a speedy experience.

Refresh your tired body in the hot springs

Warm up and refresh your body in the hot springs attached to the ski center. One of the attractions of GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort is that you can experience the quintessential Japanese winter of "snow and hot springs" all in one place.

If you're heading to GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort from Tokyo , we recommend staying at THE BLOSSOM HIBIYA in Hibiya, Tokyo.

Visit the official " THE BLOSSOM HIBIYA" website

The starting point for GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort is Tokyo Station on the Joetsu .

Staying in the Hibiya area makes your morning commute incredibly smooth. Enjoy a tranquil location overlooking the Imperial Palace and Hibiya Park, and just minutes from Tokyo Station. After returning from Yuzawa Ski Resort, you can linger in the afterglow of the day at the bar in the hotel's high-quality restaurant.

It takes about 2 hours from " THE BLOSSOM HIBIYA " to Gala Yuzawa Station.

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2. Hakone(Kanagawa Prefecture) | A Day of Hot Springs, Art, and Spectacular Winter Views of Mount Fuji

Experience the "Japaneseness" with all your senses in the clear air

Winter in Hakone is the season when the air is crystal clear and Mount Fuji is at its most beautiful. We introduce a classic one-day trip where you can experience Japanese nature and art and warm up in a hot spring.

Just 75 minutes from Shinjuku! Easy access without transfers

The Odakyu Romancecar Limited Express runs directly from Shinjuku Station to Hakone Hakone Station, the gateway to Hakone , without any transfers. In as little as 75 minutes, you can comfortably and smoothly access Hakone in winter.

Recommended Spots ① Lake Ashinoko& Mount Fuji

Lake Lake Ashinoko, a caldera lake at an elevation of 724m, is a spectacular spot where Mount Fuji is clearly reflected in the clear winter air. You can also enjoy an elegant cruise on a pleasure boat, and the view of the snow-capped Mount Fuji from the boat is truly exceptional. Hakone Shrine, located on the shores of Lake Ashinoko , is also popular as a powerful power spot that offers blessings such as good fortune, protection from evil, fulfillment of wishes, and matchmaking. The vermilion "Peace Torii" gate standing on the lake's surface has a mystical beauty that blends in with the majestic nature, making it a must-see as one of Hakone's most spectacular spots.

Recommended Spot ②Owakudani

Owakudani is a geothermal area formed by volcanic activity about 3,000 years ago. In winter, you can enjoy the dynamic scenery of the snow-covered mountainside and the white smoke of rising sulfur. The famous "black eggs" are boiled eggs dyed black by the components of the hot spring pond. It is a popular souvenir that is said to "extend your life by seven years if you eat one."

Recommended Spot 3: THE HAKONE OPEN-AIR MUSEUM

This is Japan's first open-air art museum, set in the natural surroundings of Hakone itself. Modern and contemporary art sculptures are scattered across the approximately 70,000m² site, and in the winter, when the snow falls, their shapes stand out even more. It's a spot that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, with indoor exhibits such as the Picasso Pavilion and the beautiful stained glass "Symphony Sculptures that Bring Happiness." The " Mori Footbath," where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Hakone 's beautiful scenery while soaking your feet, is also very popular.

Recommended Spot 4: Hakone Hakone Day Spa

Hakone Yuryo, a traditional Japanese house, is a day-trip hot spring facility located just three minutes by free shuttle bus from Hakone Station. With 19 private open-air baths and an open-air bath, you can fully enjoy the rich nature of Hakone while gazing at the snow. Why not soothe your fatigue in a hot spring at the end of a day of sightseeing?

If you're heading to Hakone from Tokyo , we recommend staying at JR KYUSHU HOTEL Blossom Shinjuku in Tokyo , Tokyo.

This hotel is perfectly located near Shinjuku Station and within walking distance of the Romancecar station. It offers the convenience of being able to quickly return to your room after sightseeing without having to worry about carrying large luggage, and the high-quality hospitality of the JR Kyushu Hotel brand.

It takes about 2 hours from JR JR KYUSHU HOTEL Blossom Shinjuku Shinjuku to Hakone Hakone Station, the gateway to Hakone .

Book " JR KYUSHU HOTEL Blossom Shinjuku" at the best rate

3. Kawagoe(Saitama Prefecture) | Experience the nostalgic winter scenery of Japan in Little Edo

Easily accessible from Tokyo! Time travel experience

Kawagoe, also known as "Little Edo," is known for its historic townscape that retains a strong resemblance to the Edo period (17th to 19th centuries). It is a popular tourist destination, easily accessible from Tokyo by train in just an hour.

The easiest historical exploration from Tokyo

Kawagoe is attractive because it is only about 45 minutes by express train from Shinjuku Station.

There are also English signs and multilingual maps available, so even first-time visitors to Japan can feel at ease.

Historical Streets

Foodie spot: Kashiya Yokocho

Kashiya Yokocho is a cobblestone street dotted with colorful glasswork and lined with around 30 candy stores. You'll be enveloped in the simple, nostalgic aromas of Japan, such as the fragrant aroma of soy sauce and traditional candy. The Kawagoe way is to enjoy a stroll with a wide variety of Japanese snacks in hand, such as rice crackers, dumplings, and sweet potato sweets. This is the perfect spot to experience Japan's traditional confectionery culture while walking.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine: A sacred place for matchmaking

Kawagoe Hikawa is famous as the "god of matchmaking" and "god of family harmony." It's a recommended spot full of attractions where you can experience unique Japanese traditions, such as the "Ema Tunnel," where rows of votive plaques with wishes are lined up, and "Tai Mikuji," where you catch fortune slips in the shape of sea bream with a fishing rod.

Enjoy a convenient and comfortable day trip in Shinjuku/Hibiya, the heart of Tokyo

Hotels in Shinjuku and Hibiya offer excellent access to the Shinkansen and limited express trains, making them the perfect base for your trip to Japan. A convenient location near the station will minimize travel stress at the end of a long day's travels. If you're planning multiple one-day trips using Tokyo as your base, we recommend staying multiple Tomari. Experience the charm of Japan's winter to the fullest without having to worry about luggage.

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