Although most of out time was spent in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Takayama, we used these four cities as starting points for a couple of day-trips. In total we ended up spending 16 500 yen (92£/131$) on our five side trips. The cost for these additional trips can be broken down as follows:

HAKONE

Hakone (箱根) located 100 kilometres North of Tokyo, is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It is particularly famous for it’s Hot Springs, Natural Beauty and the potential to catch a glimpse of nearby Mount Fuji. In total (excluding lunch) we spent 6140 yen (34£ / 48$) on our side trip to Hakone. We purchased a Hakone Free Pass, which includes a return tickets from Tokyo to Hakone-Yumoto and unlimited use of selected trains, cablecars, ropeways, boats and buses in the Hakone Area. The Hakone Free Pass set us each back by 5140 yen (28£ / 40$). The entrance fee to certain parks and museums in the Hakone area are also included in the free pass. So we didn’t spend any additional money on attractions. We did however spoil ourselves and ended our day-trip in Hakone-Yumoto with a meal and a dip at one of Hakone’s popular Ryokans. Although staying guests can use the baths for free, day-time visitors will need to pay an admission between 500 and 2000 yen (currently 3-10£). We chose to visit Ryokan Tenzan, a beautiful traditional Japanese Bath House with a collection of various outdoor hot spring pools. The entrance fee cost us 1000 yen each (6£ / 9$).

KAMAKURA

Kamakura (鎌倉) is a coastal town an hour south from Tokyo. It was once the political centre of Japan. Today the small town of Kamakura is a very popular tourist destination. In total (excluding lunch and dinner) our day trip to Kamakura cost 2360 yen (13£ / 19 $) In order to get to Kamakura we had to board the JR Yokosuka Line. Since our JR Pass was only valid for one week we ended up paying A one way trip costs 1840 yen (5£ / 7£) each for a round trip from Tokyo. You will need to pay entrance fees for all Temples in Kamakura. Because we got up pretty late and got lost walking around Kamakura, we only ended up visiting two temple complexes. The admission to the Engakuji Temple set us back 300 yen (2£ / 3$). The entrance fee to visit Kamakura’s Daibutsu cost 200 yen (1£ / 1.5$) with an additional 20 yen to see the inside of the Buddha. We thus spent a total of 520 yen (3£ / 4$) on admission fees. If you get to Kamakura early, expect to pay a little more.

SHIRAKAWAGO

Shirakawago is a small extremely historic area in the north of Gifu. Declared a UNESCO World heritage site in 1995, Shirakawago is famous for its old farm houses, built with a traditional Thatched Roofs. Our daytrip to Shirakawgo cost us a grand total of 4900 yen (27£ / 38$) each.

Shirakawago is easily accessible from Takayama. The bus ride to this UNESCO World heritage side is relatively short and usually only takes 50 minutes. We purchased our tickets from the Takayama Bus Terminal. The return ticket set us back 4300 yen (currently 23£).

Admission to the village itself is free but you will need to pay to enter the large variety of thatched cottages and temples. The admission fee for each cottage is generally about 300 yen (2£ / 3$). We were extremely unlucky and booked our excursion on a National Bank Holiday. We were thus stuck in Traffic for 3 hours and only had an hour left to spend in Shirakawgo before our journey home. We thus only entered the Myozenji Temple and the Nagase-Ke House and spent a grand total of 600 yen (4£ / 54) on entertainment.

MIYAJIMA

Miyajima is a small Island less than an hour outside of Hiroshima. It is particularly famous for its wild roaming deer and the giant Torri Gate, which at high tide seems to float on the water. Our day-trip to Miyajima cost 1300 yen (7£ /10£). You will need to bare in mind though, that at this point are JR pass had been activated. if you do not have a JR Pass, plan to spend a little more.

To reach the Ferry Port you will need to head to Hiroshima Station and board the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station. The ride takes half an hour and was covered by our Japanese Rail Pass. Ferries from two competing ferry companies (JR and Matsudai) depart daily to Miyajima Island. We choose the JR Ferry – since the cost was included in our JR Pass.

You will need to pay an admission fee for the temples. We only visited Itsukushima Shrine before we headed up to Mount Misen. Entrance to the Shrine cost us 300 yen (currently 2£ / 3$).

Although there are three trails that lead up to the summit of the mountain, I we took the ropeway. The ride up the mountain took about 20 minutes and cost us 1000 yen (5£ /7$) for one way. You can also buy a round trip for 1800 yen (10£ / 14$).

NARA

Nara (奈良) founded in 710, was Japan’s very first permanent capital. Nara is full of historic treasures, including some of Japan’s oldest and largest temples. Nara is pretty close to both Osaka and Kyoto and you could start your day-trip from either.

We boarded our train in Kyoto. The train ticket was included in our JR Pass and the journey took around about 45 minutes.

Again you will need to pay admission to see the temples. Entrance to the Kofukuji Temple Grounds was free, but admission to the Kofukuji’s National Treasure Museum and the Eastern Golden Hall cost 800 yen (4£/6$). In order to see Todaiji Temple and it’s gigantic Buddha we payed a 500 yen (3£/4$) entrance fee. Finally we visited Kasuga Taisha and payed a 500 yen admission in order to enter the lantern lit prayer room. We thus spent a total of 1800 (10£ / 14$) in Nara.