15 Things to Do Near Tokyo, Japan - Visiting Yamanashi, Shizuoka & Kanagawa Prefectures

What's up everyone, I hope you're all doing great. This is David Hoffman from David's been here in early January of 2019 I took a 12-day incredible trip through the island nation of Japan I spent four days in Tokyo and then another eight days exploring the other areas around the Honshu Island Which is the main island and I gotta say I was blown away by everything. It's such an incredible country It's clean. It's safe and the food is Outstanding some of my favorite days of the trip were the ones I spent just outside of Tokyo in the three neighboring prefectures or states of Yamanashi Shizuoka and Kanagawa I went on tons of exciting adventures in those prefectures and made so many memories I will remember for the rest of my life now before we get into the video Please subscribe to my channel and hit the notification bell to get updated when all the new videos drop now Let's dive into the 15 things you have to do near Tokyo Japan. First up Let's take a look at the Yamanashi Prefecture, which is located roughly a hundred and forty kilometers west of Tokyo there You'll find the first attraction on my list the Yamanashi Prefecture maglev exhibition center in Tsuru City This is the only facility in Japan where you can get up close and personal with the maglev, which is a high-speed Technologically advanced train that uses magnetic levitations to travel at speeds of the 500 kilometers per hour Here you can learn about the technology behind those trains as well as their history explore the future of the maglev take part in the maglev simulation and Even watch a maglev zoom past you in the blink of an eye from their center's observation terrace I cannot wait to ride one of these amazing trains myself one day Our next location in the Yamanashi Prefecture is the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park located in the city of Fuji Yoshida in the shadow of Mount Fuji This popular attraction is well known for its extreme roller coasters Including the Fujiyama which opened in 1996 and features a drop of 230 feet It was the fastest roller coaster in the world in the year Another of the park's insane thrill rides is the Takibisha, a roller coaster that boasts 121 freefall and is the steepest roller coaster in the world. For a scare of a supernatural variety visit the park's haunted hospital and hopeless fortress and Children will love the areas dedicated to Thomas the Tank Engine and the Neon Genesis Avignon anime franchise It's a great place for an outing with the whole family If you're looking to stay at one of Yamanashi Prefecture's most stunning accommodations La Vista Fuji Hotel and Spa should be at the top of your list This hotel and spa is also an onsen or a traditional Japanese bath that utilizes the region's volcanic hot springs in addition to the relaxing onsen La Vista Fuji Hotel and Spa also boasts rooms and terraces that offer some of the most spectacular views of Mount Fuji in all of Japan and when you get hungry La Vista Fuji has got you covered there as well with a fantastic daily breakfast buffet a European-style restaurant and my personal favorite their mind-blowing late-night ramen, which is served nightly from 10 p.m. To 11 p.m It was so delicious. I didn't want to stop eating No trip to Japan is complete without the national drink Saki one of the best places to sample different types of sake and learn about how it's made is the Aedes Saki Brewery in the Fuji Five Lakes region of the Yamanashi Prefecture This brewery which has been in business since 1840 takes advantage of its location near the base of Mount Fuji By collecting spring water from its slopes and using it in their sake production The brewers claim that this water is the reason for their sake's clear pure taste and fruity aroma After touring the facility take part in a sake tasting and finish up with a visit to their shop where you can buy some sake Visiting Aedes Saki Brewery is a fantastic way to get a deeper appreciation of the art form That is sake brewing. If what you're after is a delightful and filling traditional meal there's no place better than the Hotel Fuudao a Samurai hotpot restaurant that is located in the Yamanashi Prefecture's Fuji Five Lakes region The cooks of the charming eatery pride themselves on utilizing local recipes that can't be found anywhere else and using only the highest quality Ingredients in their food which is made from scratch Their flavorful hotel noodles are a must-try and come served steaming hot with a special spice on the side One of the best things about Hotel Fuudao is that the serving sizes are extremely generous. So there's no way you'll be leaving hungry Next up we have the Shizuoka Prefecture Which is known as the home of Mount Fuji and several onsens on its Izu Peninsula Here are places you have to visit while you're there. First up We have the Izunokuni Panorama Park which gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy gorgeous landscapes of Shizuoka Prefecture From high above the ground in a gondola that takes you via cable car to the top of Mount Katsujuri At the top you'll find beautiful flowers of its sky garden and the Ishu footpath as well as stunning views of Mount Fuji Saguro Bay, Hakone, the Amaji Mountains and the surrounding countryside. While you're in the park be sure to stop at the Buddhist shrine and take a photo among a hundred statues of Jizu, a Bodhisattva in Japanese Mayan Buddhism, which was the protector of travelers and children. If you want to experience true Japanese hospitality I recommend to stay at a Rokkan or a traditional Japanese inn and the best one in the Shizuoka Prefecture is the Arai Rokkan Inn where millennia of Japanese tradition meet fascinating history, immersive culture and mouth-watering cuisine Located in the Suzenji Hot Spring Resort in the Izu Hakone area The Arai Rokkan proudly showcases its extensive art collections, rich history of hosting notable writers, artists and kabuki actors. The food here is outstanding and includes a wide area of succulent seafood options including steamed crab dumplings, sashimi, yellowtail, teriyaki, sijimi clam soup, scallops, squid and more. It's a seafood lovers paradise. Any trip to the Shizuoka Prefecture has to include a visit to the hot spring resort town of Suzenji Onsen, one of the oldest and most famous onsen towns on the Izu Peninsula. There's a quite a bit to do here including bathing at their public bath, Hakoyu, which is a restoration of the town's former outdoor spa. Before heading there or to any onsen for that matter it is important to familiarize yourself with proper onsen etiquette rules which are expected to be followed by all guests. If you're like me and you have tattoos then you won't be able to bath in a public onsen. While you're in the Suzenji Onsen don't forget to visit the gorgeous and extremely peaceful bamboo forest near the town center and be sure to try some of the town's many wasabi products including wasabi infused alcohol. Just a 40-minute train ride from Tokyo is the city of Atami which is known as a relaxing vacation spot for city dwellers. Because of its proximity to the sea and mountains there are tons of options for travelers including watching firework displays by the water, visits to its nearby onsen, and trekking to the mountains with views of Mount Fuji. But Atami is best known for its cold resistant cherry blossom trees which bloom from late January to mid-February and turn the Itokawa promenade into a beautiful romantic pink tinted paradise. It's a magnificent sight to behold and is as cost-effective as it is pretty. Other cherry blossom trees bloom later in the year when prices in Japan are much higher. So do your wallet a favor and get to Atami while the air is still cold and crisp. The final prefecture on our tour of the attractions near Tokyo is the Kanagawa prefecture which is a wonderful mix of rapid urbanization, beautiful national parks, and stunning historical and archaeological sites. These are the things you need to see in Kanagawa prefecture. People sometimes forget that Japan is a volcanic island as Mount Fuji has been dormant since the early 1700s. But the best reminder of this fact can be found in the Owakudani Valley in the Hakone region which was created after the violent eruption of the Kamiyama Volcano. In this volcanic valley steam and hot and potentially dangerous gases regularly issue from fizzers and steam vents in the ground which is why pregnant women and people with heart and respiratory problems are strongly advised not to visit the valley. The area is also pockmarked with pools of boiling water. One of the most popular things to do here is to eat eggs that are cooked in these pools. The high sulfur content turns the shells of the eggs black and infuses them with a slightly sulfuric smell and flavor. It is said that eating one of these eggs will add seven years to your life. So eat up! Exploring the art scene of a location is one of the best ways to immerse yourself into the culture of a new place and the best place to do that in the Kanagawa prefecture is to stop at the Hakone open-air museum which boasts grounds encompassing 70,000 square meters that are surrounded by magnificent mountains and valleys. The museum showcases over a thousand sculptures and works of art by local artists as well as those from all over the world including Pablo Picasso who has an entire exhibition hall dedicated to his life and work. Other museum features include four other exhibition halls, two children areas, a cafe, two restaurants, a relaxing footbath, and a shopping area. If you're an art enthusiast you won't want to miss this incredible museum. The Hakone area boasts 17 renowned hot spring onsens and one of the most famous is the beautiful and lavish Hakone Kawakidani Onsen Mizunotu. Less than 90 minutes from Tokyo via train, the waters of this onsen are said to be effective in the treatment of chronic skin issues and atherosclerosis. Unlike most accommodations in Japan, the rooms here offer half Japanese lodging and half Western amenities including a bed instead of a futon or inflatable mattress. While you're there, indulge in the Hakone Extraordinary Japanese BBQ dinner which is served raw so you can cook it to your liking at your table. It was an outstanding food experience I would never ever forget. Up next, we have one of the most popular church attractions in the Kanagawa Prefecture, Odawara Castle. This prominent landmark whose origins date back to the 15th century once served as the base of operations of the Odawara Hoju clan who ruled over much of the Kanto region of Japan for many generations. The castle's tower consists of four stories and three tiers and inside you can find displays of artifacts including armor, swords, maps, and old documents. Take a tour of the castle and its expansive grounds and finish up by renting some of the samurai style armor, a kimono, or ninja costume and taking some fun photos in front of the beautiful and historic castle. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won't want to miss. If you're traveling to Japan during cold winter months like I did, you'll probably want to warm up with some traditional winter dishes and there's no place in the Kanagawa Prefecture with heartier winter food than the Odawara Oden in the Odawara City. Oden is a traditional one-pot dish that can vary from region to region, but it typically includes boiled eggs, daikon, konjac, and fish cakes in a soy flavored broth. The Oden here is bursting with simple yet mind-blowing flavors and textures that made my taste buds go haywire. Have your Oden with some delicious sake to complete your meal. For the best experience at Odawara Oden, call ahead to make reservations and bring your appetite. It's extremely tasty and filling. The final item on our list is a Japanese staple and an experience every tourist visiting the country needs to have, riding the bullet train. The world-famous high-speed transportation that makes cities hundreds of miles apart only a few hours away from one another. A bullet train ride from Odawara to Tokyo is available on the Hikari and Kodawana trains, along with the Taikado Shinkansen line that links Tokyo and Osaka. At less than 40 minutes long, the ride can be a thrill, but remember to display proper Japanese etiquette all the time during the ride, including staying as quiet as possible, not talking on your phone, and wearing a surgical mask if you're sick. Always follow local customs when you're in a foreign country as a sign of respect. And there you have it. Those are the 15 things you have to do near Tokyo. These three incredible prefixtures have a lot to offer, and there's something in each one for every type of traveler. I hope this video helps you out on your next Japanese adventure. If you guys loved this video, please give me a thumbs up, leave me a comment below, and subscribe to my channel for more awesome travel content. I'll see you on the next travel food adventure somewhere in the world. Peace!