Kanto – Beyond Tokyo, Explore the Heart of Eastern Japan
Kanto is one of the most traveler-friendly regions for first-time visitors to Japan. While Tokyo is undoubtedly the highlight, the surrounding prefectures offer an impressive mix of surprises, relaxation, history, and natural beauty.
As the “gateway to Japan,” Kanto is the perfect place to begin your journey.
Overview of the Kanto Region
The Kanto region lies in eastern Japan and is made up of seven prefectures—Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma.
It is home to Japan’s political, economic, and cultural center, while also offering lush nature, historic sites, and charming local towns—all within easy reach.
Kanto is compact and extremely accessible: nearly every destination can be enjoyed as a day trip from Tokyo. With well-developed train and bus networks, it is one of the easiest regions for international travelers to explore.
Recommended Destinations by Prefecture
Tokyo
Character: Japan’s capital—where tradition meets cutting-edge modernity.
Top destinations:
- Asakusa & Senso-ji Temple: Tokyo’s oldest temple and lively shopping street
- Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku: Youth culture and the latest fashion trends
- Ueno Park & Tokyo National Museum: Art, history, and greenery in one place
Kanagawa
Character: A popular coastal prefecture with port towns, hot springs, and nature.
Top destinations:
- Yokohama Minato Mirai: Stylish waterfront and beautiful night views
- Kamakura Great Buddha & Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine: History by the sea
- Hakone: Hot springs, Mt. Fuji views, and the Open-Air Museum
Chiba
Character: Close to Tokyo, home to Narita Airport and Tokyo Disney Resort.
Top destinations:
- Naritasan Shinshoji Temple: A beloved temple and New Year destination
- Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea: World-famous theme parks
- Kamogawa Sea World & Minamiboso: Ocean scenery and family attractions
Saitama
Character: Easy access from Tokyo; a balance of culture and nature.
Top destinations:
- Kawagoe (“Little Edo”): Streets preserved from the Edo period
- Nagatoro: River rafting and autumn foliage
- Chichibu Night Festival: Grand floats and winter fireworks
Ibaraki
Character: A lesser-known gem with both coastline and mountains.
Top destinations:
- Kairakuen Garden: One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, famous for plum blossoms
- Fukuroda Falls: One of Japan’s top three waterfalls—frozen in winter
- Oarai Isosaki Shrine: A torii gate overlooking the ocean
Tochigi
Character: Rich in history, nature, and hot springs.
Top destinations:
- Nikko Toshogu Shrine: UNESCO World Heritage; dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu
- Lake Chuzenji & Kegon Falls: Scenic landscapes in Nikko National Park
- Kinugawa Onsen: A popular hot spring retreat surrounded by nature
Gunma
Character: Mountainous region known for its hot springs and fresh air.
Top destinations:
- Kusatsu Onsen: One of Japan’s most famous hot springs, known for its “Yubatake”
- Ikaho Onsen & Stone Steps Town: A nostalgic hot spring district
- Tomioka Silk Mill: UNESCO World Heritage site symbolizing Japan’s modernization
How Your Trip Comes Together
When you begin discussing a private trip with your family or friends, feel free to contact MaximTravelers at any time. We are happy to assist you.
Tell us about your preferred destination, dates, trip length, number of travelers, budget, and any other requests by filling out the travel preference questionnaire on our inquiry page.
We will make a follow-up consultations as needed via email or online meeting such as Zoom.
We will prepare an initial trip proposal for you. Using this as a starting point, we will gather
additional requests and make revisions as needed until the final version is completed.
Once you agree to the proposal, please fill out the travel application form (we will send you
the link) and return it together with the required deposit.
| Trip Price per Person | Deposit Required (per person) |
|---|---|
| Under ¥150,000- | ¥20,000- |
| ¥150,000–¥299,999 | ¥30,000- |
| ¥300,000 or more | ¥50,000- |
If your application is made within 1 month of departure, the full trip price is due at the time
of booking.
Your contract is considered confirmed once we receive your deposit.
We will then send you a written contract detailing your trip.
Please pay the remaining balance by bank transfer by the due date stated in the contract.
(For security reasons, we do not accept cash payments or credit cards. Thank you for your understanding.)
If you must cancel your trip, the following cancellation fees will apply:
| Cancellation Timing | Fee |
|---|---|
| 30 days to 1 day before departure | 20% of the trip price |
| 2 days before departure | 50% of the trip price |
| After departure or no-show | 100% of the trip price |
Please note: If flights, hotels, tickets, or other arrangements have already been booked at the time of cancellation, any fees required to cancel those reservations will be charged separately.
We will send your final travel itinerary (“Travel Guidebook”) approximately one week before departure. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us anytime.
On the day before departure, we will send an e-mail to the group representative for final confirmation.
On your departure day, please arrive at the meeting point on time.
We wish you a wonderful and safe journey!
Explore Other Regions of Japan
Hokkaido
Tohoku
Kanto
Chubu
Kansai
Chugoku
Shikoku
Kyushu & Okinawa