Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura 4 Days and 3 Nights — The Golden Itinerary of the Capital Region

From a Korean traveler's perspective, departing from Seoul/ICN.

The capital region is the most efficient area in Japan to see three cities with completely different vibes in one trip. It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to fly directly from Incheon to Tokyo (NRT or HND), and from a base in Tokyo, you can reach the modern megacity (Tokyo), the port city (Yokohama), and the ancient samurai town (Kamakura) all within an hour. To sum it up — it’s most convenient to stay in one place in Tokyo (Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Tokyo Station) for 3 nights and take full-day trips to Yokohama on the second day and Kamakura on the third day without the stress of moving luggage. Day 1: Arrival, Shibuya, and Shinjuku Golden Gai; Day 2: Full day in Yokohama (Minato Mirai, Chinatown); Day 3: Full day in Kamakura (Great Buddha, Hase-dera, Enoden); Day 4: Last shopping in Tokyo and airport. I’ve honestly summarized 2026 prices, compared the JR Tokyo Wide Pass vs. Suica, and covered the cherry blossom, hydrangea, and autumn foliage seasons.

Overview

• Base City: I recommend staying fixed in Tokyo for 3 nights. You can easily make day trips to Yokohama (25-40 minutes by JR) and Kamakura (55-65 minutes by JR Yokosuka Line) without moving your luggage. There’s an option to spend a night in Kamakura, but the loss of time for luggage and check-in is significant.
• Accommodation Areas: Shinjuku — a hub for JR and private rail transfers, within walking distance to izakayas and Golden Gai, convenient for transfers to Yokohama (directly connected via Shonan-Shinjuku Line) and Kamakura / Shibuya — trendy area with various private rail options, 35 minutes direct to Yokohama via Tokyu Toyoko Line / Tokyo Station/Nihonbashi — direct access to Kamakura in just 55 minutes via JR Yokosuka Line, many business hotels, convenient for early morning departures. If it’s your first trip, I strongly recommend Shinjuku or Shibuya.
• Airport to City: HND (Haneda) — about 14 minutes by monorail ¥500, about 30 minutes by Keikyu Line ¥320 / NRT (Narita) — about 60 minutes by Narita Express (N'EX) ¥3,070, about 41 minutes by Skyliner ¥2,580. I recommend Haneda for quick city access, and if you’re flying into Narita, make sure to book your N'EX or Skyliner in advance.
• Budget for 3 Nights and 4 Days per Person: Excluding airfare, around ¥650,000 to ¥1,100,000 (mid-range accommodation ¥12,000-20,000 per night + food ¥7,000-12,000 per day + admission fees and transportation + passes). The Tokyo area is generally 10-15% more expensive for food and accommodation compared to Osaka.
• Key Transportation Pass: JR Tokyo Wide Pass for 3 days ¥15,000 — unlimited travel on JR East lines, including Yokohama, Kamakura, Fuji, Izu, and Nikko. Since it’s a 3-day pass, if you align it with your arrival on Day 1, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth (round trip to Yokohama ¥960 + round trip to Kamakura ¥1,880 + Tokyo city JR + one-way N'EX ¥3,070 = already over ¥7,000, and it’s a huge saving if you add Nikko or Fuji).
• Suica/Pasmo IC Card Comparison — If you’re just doing a one-off trip to Kamakura/Enoshima and only traveling in Tokyo, the pay-as-you-go Suica might be cheaper. However, for this itinerary (covering both Yokohama and Kamakura), the JR Wide Pass will definitely pay off.
• Seasons: Late March to early April for cherry blossoms (Shibuya Meguro River, Tsuruoka Hachimangu, Ueno Park), June for hydrangeas (Hase-dera, Meigetsuin is stunning), November for autumn foliage (Hokokuji in Kamakura, Chikurin-ji, Shinjuku Gyoen), May and October are also great. From July to September, it’s hot (28-33°C) and typhoon season, while December to February is clear but chilly.
• Tokyo Shinjuku/Shibuya Hotel Examples and Real-Time Prices can be checked directly at the hotel cards at the bottom of this article. I’ve also grouped activities for Yokohama and Kamakura day trips in the cards.

Day 1 — Arrival in Tokyo · Shibuya · Shinjuku Golden Gai (Setting Up Base Camp)

If you catch a morning flight from Incheon, you’ll naturally arrive in Tokyo around lunchtime or in the afternoon. With a flight time of 2 hours and 30 minutes and no time difference, the strain on your condition is minimal.

• Arrival at the Airport: If you land at Haneda, take the monorail → transfer to the Yamanote Line for about 30-40 minutes to Shinjuku or Shibuya. If you land at Narita, take the N'EX for 1 hour (direct to Shinjuku or Shibuya ¥3,250) or the Skyliner for 41 minutes + Yamanote Line. If you have the JR Wide Pass, N'EX is free (but make sure to reserve your seat in advance).
• Hotel Check-In: If you arrive around 14:00-15:00, you can drop off your luggage and head straight to Shibuya. The hotel staff in Shinjuku and Shibuya are used to handling luggage drop-off and pick-up.
• Shibuya Scramble · Harajuku: Get off at Shibuya Station → snap a photo at the Scramble Crossing → visit the Hachiko Statue → go to Shibuya Sky Observation Deck ¥2,500 (I highly recommend reserving for sunset time, which can be booked a week in advance from Korea) → walk 15 minutes to Harajuku’s Takeshita Street for shopping.

In the evening, move to Shinjuku. The flow is standard: East Exit of Shinjuku Station → Kabukicho → Golden Gai.

• Golden Gai (新宿ゴールデン街): A maze of about 200 tiny bars, each about the size of a room. I recommend starting at a place with a sign saying “Foreigners Welcome (English OK)”. The cover charge is ¥500-1,000 + drinks ¥800-1,500. Spending about 30 minutes to an hour in each bar is ideal, and hopping between 2-3 places is the norm.
• Izakaya Option: If Golden Gai feels overwhelming, try Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) — a yakitori alley next to the west exit of Shinjuku Station, where you can start with yakitori and highballs for around ¥1,000.
• Don’t overdo it on the first day; head back to the hotel around 22:00-23:00. It’s essential to manage your condition since you’ll be leaving for Yokohama early the next morning.

Day 2 — Full Day in Yokohama (Minato Mirai · Chinatown · Yamashita Park · Akarenga)

Yokohama is the closest city to Tokyo with a completely different vibe for a day trip. It has a port, Chinatown, and 19th-century architectural buildings all in one city, making it perfect for a full day itinerary.

• Getting There: From Shinjuku Station → Shonan-Shinjuku Line for about 30 minutes ¥570, or from Shibuya Station → Tokyu Toyoko Line for about 35 minutes ¥320 (the Tokyu Toyoko Line runs directly to Minato Mirai, making it the most convenient). From Tokyo Station, take the Keihin-Tohoku Line for about 40 minutes ¥480.
• Minato Mirai 21: Get off at Minato Mirai Station → visit Landmark Tower Sky Garden ¥1,000 (273 meters above ground, the fastest elevator in Japan reaching the 69th floor in just 41 seconds) → ride the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel ¥900 (100 meters in diameter, the night view of Yokohama from above is particularly impressive).
• For lunch, head to Chinatown. From Minato Mirai Station → Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minato Mirai Line for 4 minutes ¥190. Yokohama Chinatown (中華街) is the largest Chinatown in Japan, with over 600 shops concentrated in one area.
  • Recommendations: Manseido (萬世) for xiaolongbao, Heichiko (平和楼) for dim sum courses, and street stalls for nikuman (肉まん). You can enjoy a hearty meal for ¥1,500-3,000.
• After lunch, take a 5-minute walk to Yamashita Park. This park is right next to the port, where you can see the museum ship Hikawa Maru. It’s free and perfect for a 1-hour stroll, especially beautiful in spring with the rose garden.
• Akarenga (赤レンガ倉庫): A 15-minute walk from Yamashita Park or one stop on the Minato Mirai Line. This renovated red brick warehouse from 1911 is a shopping and event space, ideal for a 1-2 hour stroll through cafes and handmade goods. Seasonal events like Oktoberfest and Christmas markets are frequently held here.
• Evening Night View: Return to Minato Mirai to see the Yokohama Bay Bridge and Ferris Wheel lighting (different patterns every hour for 5 minutes). The port night view is breathtakingly different from Tokyo.
• Return to Tokyo: Minato Mirai → Tokyu Toyoko Line → Shibuya in about 35 minutes. You’ll have plenty of time to return to your Tokyo hotel by 22:00.

If time allows, I also recommend the Cup Noodles Museum (¥500, with an additional ¥500 to make your own cup noodles). It’s a great option if you’re traveling with kids.

Day 3 — Full Day in Kamakura (Great Buddha · Hase-dera · Tsuruoka Hachimangu · Enoden)

Kamakura is an ancient city that was the capital of Japan’s first samurai government (Kamakura Shogunate) from the 12th to 14th centuries. It’s just an hour from Tokyo and has temples, beaches, and trams, making it a perfect area for a day trip.

• Getting There: Tokyo Station → JR Yokosuka Line for 1 hour ¥940 (direct to Kamakura Station, highly recommended route). From Shinjuku or Shibuya, it’s about 1 hour via the Shonan-Shinjuku Line for ¥940. I strongly recommend departing at 8 AM — to avoid crowds on weekends or during the hydrangea and autumn foliage seasons.
• Upon arrival at Kamakura Station → transfer to Enoden (Enoshima Electric Railway). There’s a small platform next to Kamakura Station, and the 1-day pass is ¥800 (single ride is ¥200-310). The vintage yellow tram runs between temples and the sea for 30 minutes, symbolizing Kamakura.

Morning — Hase Station Line

• Kamakura Station → Enoden for 5 minutes → get off at Hase Station (長谷駅).
• Great Buddha (高徳院 鎌倉大仏): A 10-minute walk. This bronze statue was made in 1252 and stands 13.35 meters tall. Admission is ¥300. You can enter the interior of the Great Buddha for an additional ¥50 (it’s narrow and dark, and 5 minutes is sufficient). This outdoor bronze statue is five times larger than the Seokguram Grotto in Korea and has stood in place for nearly 1,300 years.
• Hase-dera (長谷寺): A 5-minute walk. Admission is ¥400. It features a 9.18-meter wooden Kannon statue (one of the largest in Japan) and a hydrangea walking path in June (requires advance reservation). The observation deck offers a panoramic view of Kamakura Bay. Staying for 1-1.5 hours is ideal.

Lunch — Yuigahama or Komachi Street

• I recommend a shirasu (whitebait) rice bowl near Hase Station — a small restaurant in front of Yuigahama (由比ヶ浜) serves fresh shirasu sashimi rice bowl for around ¥1,500. It’s a local specialty.
• Alternatively, return to Kamakura Station via Enoden → Komachi Street (小町通り) — a pedestrian street east of Kamakura Station, perfect for a 1-1.5 hour stroll with wagashi (Japanese sweets), matcha desserts, and souvenirs.

Afternoon — Tsuruoka Hachimangu + Enoshima Option

• Tsuruoka Hachimangu (鶴岡八幡宮): A 5-minute walk from the end of Komachi Street, free admission. Founded in 1180 by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate. The Dan-gaku-zaka (段葛) worship path during cherry blossom season is breathtaking. The giant ginkgo tree stump in front of the main hall is also a highlight.
• If you have time and energy, consider the Enoshima (江ノ島) option. From Enoden’s terminal station, Enoshima Station → cross the bridge to a small island with shrines, observation decks, and caves, which can be explored in 1-2 hours. The full package would be visiting the Great Buddha in Kamakura → Enoshima → then returning to Tokyo.

Return to Tokyo: Kamakura Station → Yokosuka Line to Tokyo Station → Shinjuku/Shibuya. Have a light dinner near your Tokyo hotel (since the first and second days involve a lot of night views and dining out, keep the third day’s dinner simple).

Day 4 — Last Shopping in Tokyo · Airport

On the last day, wrap up with a short shopping trip and meal in Tokyo according to your flight time.

• Morning: Check out of the hotel → leave your luggage at the hotel (usually free even after check-out) for your last activities. From the east exit of Shinjuku → Isetan Department Store for desserts and goods, or at Ginza Six, Tokyu Hands, or Don Quijote for medicine, snacks, and souvenirs.
• Lunch: End with ramen or sushi. Try Menya Musashi or Ichiran in Shinjuku, or visit Tokyo Station’s Ramen Street (on the first floor of the station). Expect to spend ¥1,000-2,500 per person.
• Airport Transfer: Arrange for hotel pickup 3 hours before your flight. If you’re flying from Haneda, it’s about 50 minutes from the hotel → Shinjuku Station/Shibuya Station → Yamanote Line → Monorail, and if you’re flying from Narita, N'EX takes 1 hour + 30 minutes for check-in. If you have more than two pieces of luggage, ask the hotel concierge to reserve your N'EX seat.

If you have the JR Wide Pass, you can also cover your last day’s N'EX seat with the pass (seat reservations need to be requested separately).

Where to Stay in Tokyo — Comparing Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Tokyo Station

The key to the regional itinerary is hotel location. It’s best to stay where transfers for Yokohama and Kamakura day trips are convenient.

Shinjuku (Highly Recommended 1st Choice)

• A hub for transfers on JR Yamanote, Chuo Line, and Shonan-Shinjuku Line → 30 minutes direct to Yokohama, 1 hour to Kamakura.
• Within walking distance to Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho, and Isetan, vibrant 24/7.
• Ideal for couples and friends on their first trip to Tokyo. A variety of hotels from budget (around ¥10,000) to 5-star.
• Drawback: Hotels near Kabukicho may have increased noise at dawn — prefer hotels further from the east exit.

Shibuya (Trendy with Various Rail Options in Central Tokyo)

• Directly connected to Yokohama in 35 minutes via Tokyu Toyoko Line, quick access to Tokyo Station and Shinjuku via Yamanote Line.
• Walking distance to Shibuya Sky, Harajuku, and Omotesando.
• Perfect for travelers in their 20s and 30s prioritizing trends. More new hotels compared to Shinjuku.
• Drawback: Requires one transfer to get to Kamakura via Yokosuka Line (about 1 hour and 10 minutes).

Tokyo Station/Nihonbashi (Top Choice for Direct Access to Kamakura)

• Directly to Kamakura in 55 minutes via JR Yokosuka Line, and 40 minutes to Yokohama via Keihin-Tohoku Line.
• Business hotels with good value starting from ¥9,000-14,000, convenient for early departures.
• Drawback: If your evening plans are focused on Shinjuku or Shibuya, it can be inefficient as it takes 20-30 minutes via Yamanote Line.

You can check the availability and real-time prices for this season and by day of the week directly in the hotel cards below. I’ve also grouped activities for Yokohama Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Kamakura Enoden one-day passes and Hase-dera admission tickets in the cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is the JR Tokyo Wide Pass ¥15,000 really worth it?

Based on this itinerary (2 days in Yokohama + 3 days in Kamakura + 1st and 4th day N'EX one-way), the calculation shows — round trip to Yokohama ¥960 + round trip to Kamakura ¥1,880 + one-way N'EX ¥3,070 + Tokyo city Yamanote/Chuo Line = about ¥7,000-8,000. You won’t get your money back just from that. However, if you add any one of Nikko, Fuji, or Izu, you’ll immediately exceed the value. For this full 4-day itinerary (just Yokohama and Kamakura), Suica + single pay-as-you-go might be about ¥7,000-8,000, which could be cheaper. If you plan to add Fuji or Nikko, the Wide Pass is recommended; if you’re just traveling within the area, Suica is advised.

Q2. Can I visit both Yokohama and Kamakura in one day?

It’s physically possible (30 minutes by JR from Yokohama to Kamakura), but I wouldn’t recommend it. Yokohama deserves a full day to explore the port, Chinatown, and Akarenga, while Kamakura needs a full day to appreciate the Great Buddha, Hase-dera, Tsuruoka Hachimangu, and Enoden. If you try to compress both cities into one day, you’ll only scratch the surface of both. With a 4-day itinerary, it’s much more satisfying to visit each city on separate days. If time is really tight, you could combine Kamakura (Great Buddha + Hase-dera in 2 hours) + Enoshima → Yokohama night view (2 hours in Minato Mirai) for a focused itinerary.

Q3. Is it really worth going in June for the hydrangea season?

I highly recommend it. The hydrangea walking path at Hase-dera features over 2,500 hydrangeas blooming against the backdrop of Kamakura Bay, making it one of Japan’s iconic scenes. The downsides are (1) it’s the rainy season, so the chance of rain increases — a folding umbrella is essential, (2) you need to obtain a reservation in advance (from early morning on the day), and (3) it’s recommended to go on weekdays and arrive early (by 8 AM). The “Meigetsuin Blue” round window at Meigetsuin is another famous sight in Kamakura. Kamakura is at its best in June when it rains — the moss on the temples and the hydrangeas soaked in rain truly capture the atmosphere of a samurai city.