Beyond the Day Trip - Stay Overnight at Popular Sights
There's many destinations that are almost exclusively visited by day trippers but I think are worth a longer look. I've overnighted in places like Himeji, Nara, and Naoshima, which are often recommended as day trips from larger cities. This makes it easy to get up early and see the busy attractions before the day crowds arrive, and you avoid travelling on packed trains.
When the evening rolls around and day trippers leave, you have bars and restaurants full of locals to enjoy. Some of the best evenings I have had have been in destinations like this as curious locals in bars wonder why I'm still there!
Extra time allows you to see more beyond the most popular sights.
Magical Island Stays
Yayoi Kusama's red pumpkin as one of the first ferries of the day arrives in Naoshima.
The first time I visited Naoshima, I did it as a day trip from Okayama. While it was still a fantastic visit we were constantly on the clock to ensure we made our ferry and train back. The second time I visited we stayed on the island and it was just magical. Early morning strolls before the first ferry arrived, eating breakfast looking out at the Seto sea, and visiting the only bar open on the island at night (though the bartender had to get the last ferry of the night home at midnight!). The expensive Benesse House art hotel isn't the only accommodation on the island, but places are limited so make sure to book well in advance.
Hiroshima Castle
I sometimes hear of people visiting a city as large as Hiroshima as a day trip, but there's so much more to the city than the (essential) Peace Memorial Museum and it doesn't do the city justice to only visit that. Just outside Hiroshima, Miyajima is one of the most popular tourist sights in Japan and almost always as a day trip, but if you are lucky enough to be able to stay on the island you'll be rewarded with very quiet early mornings and evenings. Watching the sun set at Itsukushima Shrine was magical. Japan has 14,125 islands yet most international tourists won't spend a night off Honshu. I think staying on at least one small island should be a part of any trip, they've been some of the most special places for me.
A full day in Miyajima lets you experience Itsukushima shrine at high and low tides and fewer crowds.
Beating the Crowds
Nara is another of the most popular places to visit in all of Japan. Sandwiched in between Kyoto and Osaka means that it's almost always visited as day trip from one of the two cities, and it gets extremely busy.
I stayed overnight right outside Nara Station and was able to walk through the park and see the deer and temples before the crowds and then spend the rest of the day visiting the museums that the day trippers don't have time for. By 9am tour groups had already arrived and the park was soon packed. In the evening the city was peaceful and perfect for wandering around and taking photos.
I count 27 deer here but there could be more…
Save on Accommodation
It's not true of all of these places, but in some there can also be great value in accommodation. Himeji is usually visited as a day trip from Osaka, but I stayed in a room for just ¥6000 in a Dormy Inn which included a hot springs bath and free ramen, and laundry facilities which I used. The hotel was walking distance of Himeji Castle and the wonderful Kokoen Gardens which I got to see early in the morning.
Himeji Castle
I think some places like Himeji suffered from the popularity of the Japan Rail Pass. Tourists had already paid for their unlimited travel pass up front and so using the Shinkansen as much as possible justified the cost. Since the significant price increase in the JR Pass hopefully more visitors will do more than just pass through.
Next time you're considering a day trip in your itinerary - see if you can stay the night instead. I've always found it rewarding and it can save you money on accommodation and travel.