Are you thinking about studying abroad in Tokyo? Maybe you're already on your way or in Tokyo now! Here are CIS Abroad alum Mason Lim's favorite day trips in and around Tokyo:
You probably have heard of Akihabara, Shibuya, and Harajuku, but here are some other places around Tokyo you can visit.
1. Odaiba, Tokyo

Have you ever wanted to see the Statue of Liberty or a life-sized Gundam? In Odaiba, they have it all! Located right in Tokyo Bay, Odaiba hosts various shopping and entertainment venues with some amazing photo spots (I especially recommend visiting at night to see the famous Rainbow Bridge lit up in multiple colors). Also located near/in Odaiba are the SMALL WORLDS Miniature Museum and the popular teamLab Planets TOKYO DMM (be sure to buy tickets in advance!).
2. Ikebukuro, Tokyo
If you’re on the January or Summer programs at J.F. Oberlin, you will become fairly familiar with this area. Ikebukuro is one of my favorite places to visit in Tokyo for its lively atmosphere and hidden photo spots. The Sunshine City complex hosts a rooftop aquarium and a large entertainment and shopping complex. For Pokémon fans, Ikebukuro is home to one of the largest Pokémon Centers in Japan with a Pikachu Sweets Cafe nearby. For anyone looking for gashapon machines, the Bandai Namco Cross Store boasts the largest gashapon store in the world (I once spent two hours here). For gaming and anime fans, the Animate Main Store will meet all your needs in getting the newest merch from your favorite franchises!
3. Disney Sea/Tokyo Disneyland, Chiba

While Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea are certainly less obscure, they recommend checking either park out if you are interested. Disney Sea is my favorite Disney park due to its unique theming and thrilling rides like the Journey to the Center of the Earth and the Hollywood Tower of Terror.
In the past year, they added a new area called Fantasy Springs which contains Peter Pan, Frozen, and Tangled-themed locations. Wait times can be long depending on when you go so be sure to have a game plan if you have certain rides you want to go on.
Tokyo Disneyland features rides similar to the original parks in the States before their more recent renovations. Currently, there is a decent amount of renovation and construction happening in this park so be sure to check what is open before planning your trip. Regardless, I recommend setting a full day aside to visit either park. Also, make sure to try the popcorn! There are a lot of flavors available and popcorn buckets with fun designs.
4. Nakano Broadway, Tokyo

Interested in more vintage collectibles or merch from older shows or manga? Make your way out to Nakano Broadway. This place is slowly becoming more popular as more people have been talking about it recently. The Mandarake complex hosts various stores for specific niches you may be interested in, from vintage manga to card games to even wrestling memorabilia. The stores within Nakano Broadway have different operating hours (with most opening around noon) so be sure to plan accordingly.
5. Yokohama, Kanagawa

I may be biased because a good friend of mine is from here, but Yokohama offers a unique metropolitan atmosphere and is only an hour away from Tokyo. Yokohama is an extremely walkable city with a nice waterfront with a rich history. Formerly a major hub for foreign visitors at the end of Japan’s Isolation period, you can see the foreign influences in the culture and architecture.
Yokohama is home to one of the largest Chinatowns in Japan with some spectacular food. On the topic of food, there also is the CUP NOODLES Museum (a staple in American college culture) where you can even design your own CUP NOODLES container. The Minatomirai area also holds a large number of concert venues and unique buildings that you won't see anywhere else. The Yokohama Art Museum also recently reopened after a 3-year renovation.
6. Numazu, Shizuoka

Almost halfway between Tokyo and Kyoto lies a cozy city along the coast of Shizuok Prefecture.
My initial reason for visiting Numazu was mostly based on visiting locations from a popular multimedia franchise. However, I soon discovered a relaxed and wonderful city with amazing natural beauty. For the past 2 years, I have climbed a small mountain in Numazu to watch the first sunrise of the year facing Mt. Fuji.
The seafood near the port is top-tier, and I would stroll along the beach with some stunning views. To me, it also helps me escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo which can be overwhelming at times. It is a little further away so for those who want to visit I recommend spending a day or two here (although I have gone and returned to Tokyo the same day before).
Check out all of our available programs in Japan here!