From Tokyo, the entire surrounding Kanto region is your oyster. Particularly popular destinations nearby include:
Hakone — for hot springs and views of Mount Fuji
Kamakura — home to dozens of small temples and one Big Buddha
Nikko — grandiose shrine and burial site of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu
Odawara — houses the only Japanese castle in greater Tokyo area
Tokyo Disney Resort — with Tokyo Disneyland just like the ones everywhere else and Tokyo Disney Sea an only-in-Japan theme park which includes some unique rides and some imported rides from Disney parks outside of Japan
Yokohama — Japan's second-largest city and a suburb of Tokyo
The Tokyo area also has some less-famous destinations that are easy day trips from central Tokyo:
Ashikaga — historical hometown of a famous shogun clan
Hachioji — a refreshing climb up Mt. Takao through a forest to a shrine and beer garden
Kawasaki — home to the Nihon Minka-En park with 24 ancient farmhouses more interesting than it sounds, not to mention the annual Festival of the Iron Penis Kanamara Matsuri
Kinugawa — home to Edo Wonderland, a kitschy theme park recreating 1800's Japan
Fujino — a small town popular with locals and foreigners alike interested in the arts. Beautiful scenery and very refreshing after the bustle of Tokyo.
And don't forget the islands to the south of Tokyo:
Izu Islands — easily accessible seaside and hotspring getaways
Ogasawara Islands — 1000 km away from big-city bustle, for whale watching, diving and those who want to get away from it all
