Japan - 2 weeks around Tokyo, where else to go?
 

Hi, I am visiting a friend who will be working in Tokyo for a number of weeks next Oct/Nov. I intend to spend two weeks staying with her and spending 1/2 nights in areas accessible from Tokyo by train while she is working. We can both travel together in November for 1 - 2 weeks before she returns home. We love beautiful scenery, countryside, hiking and would really appreciate any recommendations as to how we should spend that time and whether 1 or 2 weeks is recommended. We both love to travel but have never visited Japan before and would really like to get a good feel for Japanese people and culture both in the countryside and cities. We will have seen a lot of city life so would like to focus on more rural or picturesque Japan in those two weeks.

Any advice really appreciated - Fodors posts have made my previous trips with some incredible recommendations!

If you can add two weeks to your time in/around Tokyo, I'd suggest you do it. If it was me (and I know it isn't) I'd want at least 5 days in Kyoto. We also loved our time in Kanazawa. There are endless numbers of things to do and see in Japan. Take a look at www.japan-guide.com for lots of good information.

Suggestions for Tokyo would include day trips to Nikko, Kamakura, Yokohama and Hakone. In addition to these well known places is the old town of Sawara in Chiba and the post town of Kawagoe with their historic Edo period buildings. The Roppongi Hills Observation Deck has an art museum near the entrance which you may find interesting. The Nezu Museum in Omotesando is a gem and its large garden is a peaceful spot in the heart of Tokyo. Todoroki Valley Park in Setagaya is a breath of fresh air. Of course all these places are best visited during the week as weekends can be especially crowded.

Just a few suggestions for your time in Tokyo, enjoy your visit.

Another recommendation to spend time – lots of it! – with japan-guide.com

Many people visit Nikko as a day trip from Tokyo; I’m glad I spent a night there.

With one or two weeks outside of Tokyo, Kyoto / Nara would be a logical choice for at least 5 or 6 days. Kanazawa and Takayama might make a nice 5-day pairing.

Parts of Japan will still be experiencing koyo -- autumn leaves – in November, a time when many destinations where leaves will be at their peak will be booked well in advance, so even though the exact timing can’t be predicted this far out, do take koyo into consideration.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014_when.html

Hope that helps!

Great, thanks a lot for the recommendations. We were thinking of maybe spending time in the Japanese Alps at the end of the trip. We love walking/hiking - is this the most scenic place to do that? Also, given that we will already have spent two weeks in and around Tokyo, would one week be sufficient to add on - or should we try to push for two. Given the limitations of annual leave, spending an additional week will be at the cost of a week's holidays elsewhere earlier in the year. Thanks again for the advice, really appreciate it.

It looks like you are asking both about Tokyo day trips and longer ones. If you have 1-2 weeks of free time, then the whole country is wide open for you.
There are many good day trips from Tokyo to consider: Nikko, Kamakura/Enoshima, Hakone, the Fuji 5 Lakes area, Izu, Karuizawa, Kusatsu, the Boso Peninsula (Nokogiriyama etc), Takao, Okutama, the Ushiku Great Buddha, Yokohama, Mito, Fujinomiya, and many others. For 1 or 2 longer places, a Tokyo Wide Pass can be a money saving godsend. For Nikko, you could use a Nikko Pass and save some money to get there. Odakyu has some good passes for the Fuji area and Kamakura.

You just need to do your research and find what appeals to you most. Japan Guide is one place for info, the JNTO page is another. For individual cities, the official city websites have their own tourist guides and are usually the most detailed and complete. Depending on where you go, a JR rail pass might save you some good money, but it depends where you go. Regional rail passes may be better in some cases, and for a week down to Kyoto and back, the japanican ticket beats the pants off the JR pass.
Plus if you go north, or to some mountainous areas, you can also enjoy some of Japan's season of autumn colors, which is one of the best times to see the country.

Hi Adastra2200. My question is whether people could recommend what to do for 1/2 weeks at the end of the trip. Day trips/overnights in and around Tokyo seem great and relatively easy to research. The places you have mentioned are, among others, the options that are available for after Tokyo. What I am finding difficult is trying to narrow down what would be the most picturesque/ give a good feel of rural China/ nice hikes. These are my areas of interest and there seem to be multiple places that cater for that. It is a recommendation from people that know Japan as to which to choose that I am looking for, as I am finding it difficult to tell from my research. We will be travelling by train. Thanks.

That's what I thought you meant when I offered my recommendations. Glad I didn't misunderstand!

When planning my Japan trip I googled festivals held during our travel times and the ones that really interested me, those locations were added to our itinerary which lead us to Kanazawa, Kyoto and Nikko. Had a brilliant time.