TheSmartLocal – Singapore’s Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal

Skip to content

5 New Places Around Tokyo To Explore With 1 JR Pass When Osaka & Kyoto Have Been Done & Dusted

New places around Tokyo to explore by train

Cover Image - Swiss Village <2 hours from Tokyo

Image adapted from: @tak.yamataka

You might’ve conquered metropolitan Tokyo, strolled through the iconic Torii gates in Kyoto or rode every single ride in Universal Studios Japan, Osaka. But beyond this golden trinity, there’s still a wealth of areas for you to explore with nary a domestic flight ticket in sight.

The easiest way to do that is via Japan’s vast rail network, famed for its supreme punctuality 365 days a year. And to maximise your money, we recommend you get a Japan Rail pass – or JR pass. Instead of multiple train tickets, you just need to pay once to access all relevant train lines operated by Japan Railways*!

All aboard now – here are some hidden gems where you can make your stop at:

*Different JR passes entitle access to specific regions or within specific time-frames

1.  Heidi’s Village and Makiba Park

Flower Centre Heidi’s Village

flower centre heidi's village

Image credit: @stavon_k

Japan has its share of alpine views that rival Switzerland’s, but if you want to get the full Swiss experience, pop by Heidi’s Village – named after the Girl of the Alps.

Flower Gardens

Image credit: @rascal_mike

The flower gardens here are packed with neat rows of tulips, sunflowers and even the longest rose corridor in Japan that spans a cool 230 metres. It will throw you off into thinking you’re in Europe, making it a popular wedding photoshoot location.

Tip: Head over in May when the flowers are in full bloom!

Clara-Kan village

Image credit: @tak.yamataka

Apart from admiring the flora, those seeking things to do can head to the charming village itself and pop by Clara-kan, a facility where you can try sledding, get some drinks at a bar or even soak in a natural hot spring.

Address: 2471 Asao Akenocho, Hokuto 408-0201, Yamanashi Prefecture
Entrance fee: 420 yen
Getting there: Take the JR Chuo Line and alight at Nirasaki station. Take the 30-mins Mizuhaki Country bus from the station (2-way ticket for 1,100 yen). Note: Bus is only available from Nov to April. To get to Makiba Park, transfer to the JR Koumi Line.
Website

Yamanashi Makiba Park

Getting to observe animals up close is one thing, but being able to interact with them at Makiba Park takes the experience to a whole new level. Yep, you’ll get to cuddle with rabbits, horses, sheep and goats at the petting zoo – all for free!

Cuddle with goats

 Image credit: @euphayami

Farm stay

 Image credit: @margaretlai1122

The park is surrounded by scenic mountains full of greenery, where you can breathe in plenty of crisp fresh air as you roam around the vast expanse of land.

Park in Autumn

The park’s golden transformation in autumn. Image credit: @syahirussalam

You’re bound to get hungry after all that walking, so sate your appetite at the nearby Makiba Restaurant – it serves up jumbo 18cm-tall hamburgers made with Koshu wine beef and locally grown vegetables.

Image credit: Undiscovered Japan

Address: 8240-1 Oizumicho Nishiide, Hokuto 409-1501, Yamanashi Prefecture
Entrance fee: Free
Getting there: Take the JR Koumi line and alight at Kiyosato or Kai-Oizumi station. Take a 10-minute taxi ride from the station. To get to Heidi’s Village, transfer to the JR Chuo Line.
Website 

2. Kannonzaki Lighthouse 

Kannonzaki Lighthouse

Kannonzaki Lighthouse. Image credit: @ikorn_online

View from the bay

View from the bay. Image credit: @_teresten_

The original Kannonzaki Lighthouse was built in 1869 and was the oldest lighthouse in Japan till it was destroyed by earthquakes – not once, but twice. Lucky for us, it has since been rebuilt and you can climb up its steps to be rewarded with views of Kaneda Bay.

long slide at Kannonzaki Park

Image credit: @sngforgiven

After you’re done burning your quads with that uphill trek, cool down with a stroll along the seaside boardwalk and beach, or head to the nearby Kannonzaki Park where you can skid down a long slide.

Address: 4 Chome-1187 Kamoi, Yokosuka 239-0813, Kanagawa Prefecture
Entrance fee:200 yen
Getting there: Take the JR Yokosuka line and alight at Kurihama station. Take a 15-minute taxi ride from the station.
Website 

3. Nippara Limestone Caves

Nippara Limestone Caves

Image credit: @ksnyan

A limestone cave isn’t what you’d normally associate with Tokyo, but this one on the outskirts of the city is a convenient escape from the bustle without travelling too far. All you need is just a JR-East pass, saving you some much-needed yen.

Step inside into another world – the cave is bathed in plenty of multi-coloured lights, creating a kaleidoscopic spectacle in its many nooks and crannies. During hot summers, the low temperatures are welcome too as you embark on an immersive 40-minute tour.

Tip: As water in the cave is constantly dripping, the paths can get slippery. So watch your step – and head!

Address: 1052 Nippara, Okutama-machi, Nishitama-gun 198-0211, Tokyo Prefecture
Entrance fee: 700 yen
Getting there: Take the JR Ōme Line station and alight at Oku-Tama station. Take bus 20 from station (460 yen) at the Limestone Cave stop. Walk 15 minutes to the caves.
Website 

4. Landmark Tower Sky Garden 

Landmark Tower Sky Garden

View of Yokohama from Landmark Tower. Image credit: @elilinlinlin

Yokohama is just over an hour’s journey by train from Tokyo, and it’s far more laidback than its bustling counterpart. For the best views, head to the Landmark Tower for panoramic views of the city and Tokyo Bay at the Sky Garden observatory on the 69th floor.

You’ll be whisked up in a rocket-like 40 seconds by Japan’s fastest elevators and your ears are bound to pop – so request for some earbuds! If you’re lucky, you can even see Mount Fuji in the far distance to the West on clear days.

Pokemon Center

Image credit: @rinux18

Bonus: Catch ‘em all at the Pokemon Center within the tower. The cashier counters here are similar to the ones in the game and there’re even arcade games you can play for 100 yen!

Address: 2 Chome-2-1 Minatomirai, Nishi Ward, Yokohama 220-0012, Kanagawa Prefecture
Entrance fee: 1,000 yen|
Getting there: Take the JR East Negishi Line and alight at Sakuragicho station. Walk 7 minutes to the tower.
Website

5. Akao Herb and Rose Garden 

This is a “secret” garden you won’t want to miss. Located just an hour outside Tokyo, the Akao Herb and Rose Garden is home to over 12 themed gardens, all on different tiers.

Akao Herb and Rose Garden

Image credit: @akaoherbandrosegarden

Start from the top of this hill where you’ll be greeted by a zen rock garden with a massive bonsai tree in the middle and picturesque views of Sagami Bay.

English and Italian Styled Gardens

Image credit: @miraimay

Making your way down, you’ll find English and Italian-style gardens that look straight out of a Disney fairy tale, bursting with blooms such as yellow mustard flowers, tulips and over 200 species of roses.

Coeda House Cafe

Image credit: @akaoherbandrosegarden

And finally at the bottom, take a break at the Coeda House cafe. Here, you can put your DIY skills to the test and craft decorative items out of local plants, all while overlooking the sea.

Address: 1024-1 Kamitaga, Atami 413-0101, Shizuoka Prefecture
Entrance fee: From 1,000 yen
Getting here: Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen line and alight at Atami station. Take a 20-mins bus that heads to the Ajiro Asahicho area. Alight at Akao Herb & Rose Garden and walk for 5 minutes.
Website

Enjoy easy and affordable train travel with a JR Pass

Traversing Japan by train can get confusing when you constantly need to purchase tickets for trips. It can rack up to a hefty sum too, which’ll make you think twice about heading beyond the big cities.

Enjoy easy and affordable travel with a JR pass

Image credit: To Europe and beyond

With the JR Pass, there’s no such headache. You’ll get unlimited train journeys based on time-frame. For instance, if you’re spending a week exploring new places outside Tokyo, pick up the 7 Day Whole Japan Rail Pass from Klook. There are also 14 or 21 day passes, or region-specific ones if you know which city you’re gonna drop by for sure.

TSL Japan

You’ll board fuss-free on all train lines operated by Japan Railways, including those on the JR railway network as well as JR Kyushu, JR Shikoku, JR West, JR Center, JR East and JR Hokkaido. Even the bullet train, JR buses, ferries and monorails will be open to you!

We did the math, too – say you’d want to spend a week covering the golden trinity of Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto as well as the Nara and Hiroshima regions. This is what it’ll cost if you get a JR pass versus individual train tickets:

  • 7-day Whole Japan Rail pass: $332
  • Point-to-point tickets: Narita airport – Tokyo (3,000 yen) – Kyoto (13,000 yen) – Osaka (560 yen) – Nara (800 yen) – Hiroshima (11,000 yen) – Tokyo (19,000 yen) – Narita airport (3,000 yen)* = 50,360 yen = Approx $606.80

* Prices are approximations. Do note that the Tokyo – Kyoto and Nara-Hiroshima leg is via shinkansen (bullet train). 

It’s a lot more affordable.

And budget watchers, more good news if you’re going to Japan this year-end. Besides having the lowest rates in the market for a JR Pass, Klook will help you save more precious yen.

Just follow these steps…

$100 Off from Klook

Image credit: Klook

..And you’ll save a sweet $100* that can be better used on ramen, Pokemon plushies and sushi!

*T&Cs apply.

Find out more about Klook’s year-end promotion now!


This post was brought to you by Klook.