For a Half Day

Kamakura: A small coastal town surrounded by wooded hills, some 10km (6 miles) south of Tokyo, Kamakura was the seat of Japan's first military government, the Kamakura Shogunate of 1192-1333. Most famous for the imposing 12m- (39ft-) high Great Buddha, which dates to the mid 13th century, the town also boasts several fine Zen temples, the impressive Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine and the nearby National Treasure Hall, which displays important Buddhist art of the Kamakura period. Pleasant hiking paths wind through the surrounding hills and the beach is a popular sunbathing and windsurfing spot in summer.

Trains run every 10-15 minutes to Kamakura from Tokyo Station, Shinbashi Station and Shinagawa Station, on the Yokosuka line (journey time - approximately 1 hour). For more information on Kamakura, call 0467 223350.

For a Whole Day

Nikko: One of Japan's most popular tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nikko is celebrated for the dazzlingly ornate mausoleum of the first shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu (died 1616), who was the model for the fictional warlord of James Clavell's novel Shogun. The intricately carved, elaborately painted and gilded gates, halls and storehouses of the mausoleum (known as the Toshogu Shrine) today appear almost gaudy but, as a mid 17th century political representation of shogunal power, they were very much a reflection of the times. Situated amid an ancient cedar forest, the extensive complex also includes Rinnoji Temple, Futarasan Shrine and the smaller, somewhat less elaborate, mausoleum of the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu. A combination entry ticket for all four attractions is available (buy at the Tobu bus counter on arrival). Beyond Nikko lies Lake Chuzenji and the spectacular Kegon Waterfall, reached by a one-hour bus ride up a scenic mountain road of hairpin bends. An area of outstanding natural beauty, the lake offers boating, swimming and fishing, while worshippers climb the 2,400m- (7,874ft-) high Mt Nantai.

Nikko is situated some 150km (93 miles) north of Tokyo and trains leave several times an hour from Tobu Asakusa Station on the privately operated Tobu Nikko line (tel: (03) 3621 5202; website: www.tobuland.com). The journey takes about 2 hours. JR Rail Pass holders might prefer to travel on the JR shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Utsunomiya (journey time - 1 hour) or Ueno Station to Utsunomiya (journey time - 1 hour 10 minutes). From there change onto a local train for JR Nikko station (journey time - 45 minutes). Nikko Tourist Information Centre (tel: (0288) 542496; website: www.nikko-jp.org) offers excellent guides to the area.

Hakone: The Fuji-Hakone National Park, only 80km (50 miles) southwest of Tokyo, offers a spectacular landscape of lakes and mountains, cultural attractions (such as the impressive open-air art museum) and (assuming the weather co-operates) the bonus of magnificent views of Mount Fuji. The popular circular route through the area by toy train, cable car and boat, passes through forests and old spa villages before whisking visitors high over sulphurous volcanic valleys and finishing with a leisurely cruise on scenic Lake Ashino. The Hakone Free Pass allows unlimited travel on the area's transport network and the basic fare from Tokyo to Odawara Station, or on the privately operated Odakyu line, which leaves from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station. Hakone may also be reached by Shinkansen Kodama bullet train from Tokyo. The Tourist Information Office in Tokyo provides a leaflet, Hakone and Kamakura, with information on transport and sights.