Our family will be leaving for Tokyo next week. In addition to exploring Tokyo, we're planning to enjoy weekend trips throughout Japan (Kyoto, Sapporo, Hakone). In August, we'll have some vacation time. We're looking for places that are a direct flight out of Tokyo and not too costly...thanks!

You are spoiled for choice, as you can get just about anywhere from Tokyo. Domestic flights are not cheap, though. Plan on at least ¥10,000 per person per flight, and that's if you get the cheapest seats - they sell out fast. Flights to elsewhere in Asia are often a better value.

If you are tourists, you may want to look into the flight coupons with JAL and ANA for foreign tourists. They could save you a little money.

Plenty of places to go for weekends. Trains are comfortable, but also not cheap. Again, if you are tourists (with the visa to prove it) then you may want to invest in a JR pass, or several JR passes before you come...depends on how much traveling by train you will do.

August is very hot and humid. Very. Hokkaido would be my pick of a vacation place.

To use a JR Pass you have to have a 90-day temporary visitor stamp in your passport.

japan-guide has a good description of other passes that you might use, see:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e627.html

You can get to just about anywhere in Japan by air nonstop from Tokyo. There are links to air pass info here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34935254
also japan-guide probably describes air travel too.

The JR passes and the air pass from JAL and ANA are sold only *outside* Japan, I believe. You should check before your departure.

Also, I think Kamakura is a very nice place and is not far from Tokyo. There are a lot of hiking paths and you may want to stay there for one night. There is also a beach town nearby (don't remember what it's called). It's like Cape Cod or the Hamptons.

Day trip destinations: Kamakura, Nikko, Mt. Takao, Hakone.
Overnight trip destinations: Hakone, Izu, Mt Fuji. Kusatsu hot spring.

There are many areas of natural beauty in Nagano/Gunma. Kyoto for weekend is do-able, though you ideally need 3days there for exploring.

For longer trip in August, travel around Nagano, Hokkaido. Or be a contrarian and head south to Okinawa beaches. Or take a flight out of Haneda to Seoul.

Yes - I'd say Hokkaido too...because ( and this depends where home is for you usually) Tokyo and the mainland of Japan is unbearably hot and sticky in August...and Hokkiado is wonderfuly dry heat...

lots of camping, national parks, renta car and enjoy....flights from Tokyo take 1.20 mins...or train...or even ferry if you have the time.

Amanda...in Sapporo of course!

You could consider adding Nikko and Kawagoe for day trips. Kawagoe is off the beaten path for most foreign tourists.

This could prove useful in your planning

http://www.japan-guide.com/