Introduction
Greater Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures are a dynamic and fascinating blend of bustling cityscapes, historic landmarks and stunning natural beauty. Known as the Kanto region, this area of Japan is a diverse landscape. From the neon lit Tokyo, the serene temples of Nikko, to the amazing volcanic and mountainous landscapes of Hakone, this region offers something for everybody with the convenience of being well connected to Tokyo. The Kanto region consists of 7 different prefectures, all of which offer unique geography and culture making them all worth visiting in their own right.
With record numbers of tourists coming to Japan, with most travelling to the areas of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, it is now more important than ever to encourage visitors to explore different parts of Japan and spread out to many of the other amazing places in the Country. You could easily spend your entire trip just exploring the Kanto region and its 7 prefectures. We have created this page to provide an overview to the Kanto region’s 7 prefectures as well as nearby Yamanashi prefecture part of the Chūbu region, where we will introduce all these areas and their most famous landmarks and attractions, many of which we operate tours to from Tokyo. We hope this page will be helpful for those wanting to explore Tokyo and beyond on their Japan trip!
Tokyo (Kanto Region)
For most people travelling to Japan, Tokyo will be on your list of places to visit during your trip and rightly so! Tokyo is of course very famous, and as the capital city of Japan is the perfect gateway to start exploring and has plenty to offer. As of 2025, Tokyo and its surrounding areas are home to nearly 41 million people, meaning the city is lively and has plenty to see and do.
Even for those travellers wanting something off the beaten path and hidden gems, Tokyo still has plenty to keep you entertained. As a first timer to Tokyo, perhaps you want to explore the hotspots and famous areas of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa and Ginza. As a second timer and repeat visitor to Tokyo, perhaps you want to check out the trendy neighbourhoods and hidden gems of Shimokitazawa, Kagurazaka, Kiyosumi and Kanda. Even those seeking an escape from the city and craving nature the stunning traditional Japanese gardens dotted throughout the city, or the scenic area of Mount Takao won’t disappoint. We offer tours in a wide variety of the Tokyo neighbourhoods, given you the perfect flavour of what this expansive city is all about.
Chiba (Kanto Region)
Chiba prefecture is situated to the East of Tokyo. It is best known for its mixture of both urban, rural and coastal landscapes. In fact, Chiba has some great beaches and is a popular surfing destination in Japan. So for those seeking adventure and water sports, Chiba is a great option. What makes Chiba most well known to travellers is that it is the home of Narita Airport making Chiba a major gateway to Japan. The capital of Chiba is Chiba city and is a lively port town with great attractions such as Chiba Castle. However, some of the most famous attractions in Chiba include Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea which are both located in the Urayasu area of Chiba.
If you’re wanting to explore more of the historical and cultural gems of this prefecture, then taking the time to see Narita and nearby Sawara is a must. As we mentioned Narita is home to the major airport, but stepping out of the airport and staying a day or two in this area won’t disappoint. Narita is a vibrant area home to the amazing Naritasan Temple and historic Narita Omotesando street. You can also enjoy eating local foods and try your hand at Japanese style Archery. Narita is also home to a few museums such as the Calligraphy museum and a museum dedicated to Yokan, a popular and delicious Japanese sweet. For those wanting to venture further into rural Chiba, visiting the historic district in Katori City of Chiba is an absolute must. Located just 30 minutes away from Narita, Sawara has a beautifully preserved Edo period townscape that truly makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time. Visitors can enjoy the historic architecture, take a traditional boat ride on the Ono River, visit local Sake breweries to taste award winning Sake, eat local delicacies and visit the area’s amazing museums. We offer a tour that perfectly blends the best of what Narita and Sawara has to offer, so why not click on the tour card below and book today to experience a part of Chiba’s culture!
Kanagawa (Kanto Region)
Kanagawa prefecture is located just South of Tokyo, and it is probably the most popular of all of Kanto’s prefectures aside from Tokyo for visitors to travel to. There is a good reason for this. Kanagawa is truly a dynamic and culturally rich prefecture, and has so much to offer to suit all preferences and interests. You could easily spend your whole trip just exploring this prefecture. It has mountains, volcanoes, beaches, urban cityscapes and deep rooted history. Kanagawa is home to the popular and famous Hakone, Yokohama and Kamakura. However, it is also home to many hidden gems that often get overlooked with our favourite being the Castle town of Odawara. All of these places can be easily reached from Tokyo from anywhere between 60 minutes up to 120 minutes.
If you’re a nature lover or after a peaceful retreat, head to the mountainous Hakone famous for its natural landscape, hot spring resorts, foot baths and plethora of outstanding museums. For those wanting to be close to the ocean but still experience the beauty of Japan’s culture, head to the historic Kamakura and laidback island of Enoshima. Brimming with history dating back to Medieval Japan and full of some of the country’s most beautiful shrines and temples including the breath taking Great Buddha of Kamakura, this area will be sure to leave you feeling peaceful yet culturally fulfilled. For those wanting a city that isn’t Tokyo, Yokohama is well worth a day trip. A great port side city full of energy, vibrancy, and Japan’s largest Chinatown. Yokohama boasts impressive ocean views whilst also offering top shopping and night life. The Meiji period architecture is equally impressive, and provides nods to Yokohama’s maritime past. However, we can’t talk about Kanagawa without also mentioning Odawara. Famous for its Castle, Odawara has so much to offer for the culture vultures and history buffs, especially those with a passion for all things Shogun and Samurai. Explore the castle, try on Samurai armour, have a go at making local crafts, try fresh seafood at their local market and shop at an Edo inspired complex. We offer tours to all four areas mentioned, so depending on your interest and preferences, why not book onto one or all four tours, to get a real flavour of what Kanagawa prefecture has to offer! Click on the tour cards below for more information.
Yamanashi (Chūbu Region)
Yamanashi prefecture is located in central Japan and is best known for being the home of the world famous Mount Fuji. As a result, Yamanashi offers stunning natural landscapes and scenic beauty unparalleled. Due to its luscious and volcanic landscape it is also famous for its wineries, hot springs and nature retreats offering peace and relaxation.
The capital city Kofu is a fascinating place known for the historic Takeda Shrine, Kofu Castle ruins and its deep connection to Samurai history. Aside from Mount Fuji, Yamanashi is also home to five beautiful lakes all of which surround the giant volcano. Known as the ‘Fuji Five Lakes’ area, this is the perfect places for avid hikers, walkers, and nature enthusiasts who want to spend time outdoors. The most famous and largest of these lakes is Lake Kawaguchiko, which offers some of the best vantage points of Mount Fuji, as well as lake cruises, a scenic Ropeway, an array of museums and shrines, as well as pleasant walking paths. Kawaguchiko can be easily reached from Tokyo as a day trip in just 2 hours by bus, or it is the perfect overnight stay to experience nature during your trip. There are many wonderful glamping accommodations throughout Kawaguchiko, with BBQ cuisine being the most popular to enjoy!
Saitama (Kanto Region)
Saitama prefecture is located just North of Tokyo, and it is very popular with many locals who settled here but commute into the city for work. It is therefore often considered part of the ‘Greater Tokyo’ area despite being its own prefecture. For visitors to Tokyo, Saitama offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the Capital City as it offers a more relaxed pace. It has excellent transport links with the local Tobu Tojo Line and JR lines serving the area. Saitama is also home to Omiya Station, which is a large Shinkansen station perfect for those wanting to reach Saitama from Tokyo, and for those on their way to Northern Japan. Depending on where you’re staying in Saitama you can easily reach Tokyo in under an hour, especially the popular area of Ikebukuro.
Saitama has a rich cultural heritage, and it is famous for many high quality Sake breweries. The most famous of Saitama’s attractions is that of the historic Kawagoe, known as ‘Little Edo’. It is a beautifully preserved Edo-period town, known for its impressive architecture, beautiful alleyways and traditional shops selling a variety of local goods and sweets. Kawagoe is also home to a flatland castle, beautiful shrines and temples, and museums. It holds an impressive and famous festival in October with stunning festival floats paraded through the streets. Saitama is also home to a national park known as Chichibu, with gorges, green landscapes and flower festivals. Nagatoro Gorge in Chichibu is known for river boating and is particularly breathtaking in the Autumn when the golden and red leaves come out. For those who love industrial heritage and trains, why not check out the Railway Museum in Omiya! Despite often being overlooked, Saitama really has a lot to offer you on your Japan trip for a day or two! We offer the perfect day trip to Kawagoe from Tokyo where you can enjoy much of what is mentioned above with a local guide! Click on the tour card below to find out more and book today!
Tochigi (Kanto Region)
Tochigi prefecture is located in the Northern part of the Kanto region, and can be reached in approximately 2 hours from Tokyo depending on which part you’re visiting. It is therefore a perfect day trip or overnight getaway. Tochigi perfectly blends culture, history and nature making it an attractive destination to include on your Japan trip! Tochigi is best known for the city of Nikko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for some of the most beautiful and impressive shrines and temples to be found in all of Japan. Nikko is where Tokugawa Ieyasu is buried and enshrined, the founder and first Shogun of the Tokugawa family who ruled during the Edo period in Japan (1603 - 1868). It is also where his grandson Tokugawa Iemitsu is buried and enshrined, making Nikko a great place to visit for those interested in Samurai history and culture, and for those who have watched the recent award winning show ‘Shogun’. Nikko is also home to Kegon Falls - a pretty waterfall which freezes in Winter, Lake Chuzenji and many Onsen. Nikko comes alive in the Autumn with pops of gold, red and orange leaves everywhere.
Outside of Nikko, the city of Utsunomiya is great for foodies, especially for big fans of Gyoza (dumplings). The town of Mashiko is extremely famous for its pottery and ceramics, so if you’re wanting to buy some special and unique souvenirs it is a great place to visit. There are many shops and even workshops you can take part in to make your very own piece! Finally, Ashikaga Flower Park is one of the most popular places for both locals and tourists due to its stunning displays of Wisteria in the months of April and May, and in Winter its pretty illuminations. It draws large crowds and is well worth visiting. We offer the perfect day trip to Nikko from Tokyo where you can enjoy much of what is mentioned above with a local guide! Click on the tour card below to find out more and book today!
Gunma (Kanto Region)
Gunma prefecture is located in the Northwestern part of the Kanto region. It is bordered by mountains and known for its natural beauty and many Onsen. It is just a couple of hours from Tokyo, but it is recommended you stay overnight to make the most of your time and to not rush. Gunma is the perfect place for those wanting to swap urban landscapes for natural landscapes. The Onsen here are famous across Japan, with the towns of Kustasu Onsen and Ikaho Onsen being the most well known. Both are celebrated for their high quality and mineral rich waters which are said to be extremely beneficial for the skin and body. Both Onsen towns offer picturesque views, with quaint stone steps, local shops, and shrines and temples. Nature lovers can rejoice when visiting places like Mount Tanigawa and Mount Akagi, both of which offer excellent hiking in the summer months and winter sports in the winter!
Aside from nature and Onsen, Gunma has so much to offer! The capital city of Maebashi is a cosmopolitan place with a trendy and artsy vibe, full of great galleries, boutiques and cafes. The city of Takasaki is another fantastic place to explore for urban flare but plenty of history and culture. Takasaki is known as the birthplace of the Daruma Doll, a good fortune charm representing resilience which can now be found all over Japan. The city is home to Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple, an historic and picturesque temple full of Daruma dolls. Visitors can also enjoy making their own Daruma doll or seeing expert craftsmen making them at a number of workshops found in the city. Not too far from Takasaki is Tomioka where the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Tomioka Silk Mill which was the birthplace of Japan’s modern silk industry. We don’t offer tours in Gunma prefecture, but we hope this page has inspired you to go and explore what this wonderful prefecture has to offer!
Ibaraki (Kanto Region)
Ibaraki prefecture is located in the Northeastern part of the Kanto region. It is is a short train ride from Tokyo but is often overlooked as a place to visit by tourists. Ibaraki offers a great mixture of nature, traditional culture as well as modern flare. Ibaraki is probably best known for Kairakuen Garden in Mito. It is considered one of Japan’s ‘Three Great Gardens’ with its plum blossoms drawing large crowds. Hitachi Seaside Park is also another draw for nature lovers, with large fields full of beautiful blooming flowers, especially the vibrant blue Nemophila in the Spring and the vivid red Kochia in the autumn.
For history lovers, Ibaraki is home to many historical landmarks such as Oarai Isosaki Shrine located on a rocky coastline making the shrine even more striking, and Kashima Shrine which is one of the oldest Shinto Shrines in Eastern Japan. If you’re a science and innovation lover, then Ibaraki has you covered! It is home to ‘Science City’ in Tsukuba. This is home to many research institutions including JAXA (Japan’s Space Agency) where visitors can go to the Tsukuba Space Center. We don’t offer tours in Ibaraki prefecture, but we hope this page has inspired you to go and explore what this wonderful prefecture has to offer!