Take a break from the big city by heading to one of the interesting places in the countryside around Tokyo. The best places for a day trip outside of Tokyo are Nikko, with its wonderful shrines and temples, Kamakura, with a Great Buddha statue and fine Zen temples, and Mt Fuji (you don't have to climb it – you can take a bus to the base or partway up the mountain to enjoy the views). See my Best Day Trips Out of Tokyo page for details.