Tokyo area in middle of Obon week

Will be staying in Tokyo area from around 8th-13th Aug (as I travel back home on 13th).

Will the domestic travel have calmed down by then? Is it possible at all to do some daytrips from Tokyo on some of these days? Or will trains be packed by Tokyo-ites leaving for the countryside?

Will be staying in Tokyo area from around 8th-13th Aug (as I travel back home on 13th).

>Will the domestic travel have calmed down by then?
Never! Very crowded, especially trains and highways leaving Tokyo.
8th-13th is before Obon.

>Is it possible at all to do some daytrips from Tokyo on some of these days?
Yes. Buy reserved train tickets beforehand.

>Or will trains be packed by Tokyo-ites leaving for the countryside?
Commuting trains in the morning and evening rush hours are not crowded because many people take holidays.
Long distance trains leaving Tokyo are crowded. Local trains are not so much.

What are your destinations?
"Tokyo area" sounds vague.

In August 2019,
due to the preceding weekend and substitute holiday,
Obon mass transportation of travelers may begin
on the morning of Saturday, the 10th or on the previous night,
about three days in advance of the Obon period (the 13th - the 16th).

Also, the Obon period is followed by the next weekend,
so it is easy for many workers to take days off until Sunday, the 18th.

Many schoolchildren have their summer vacation
from around late July to around mid or late August.

During the 9 days from the 10th to the 18th of August 2019,
some popular tourist spots may get crowded with families of kids and parents.

The 8th and the 9th are normal weekdays;
you may see morning commuters' rush in trains and stations on major railway lines.

--August 2019--
the 8th (Thu): Normal weekday.
the 9th (Fri): Normal weekday.
the 10th (Sat).
the 11th (Sun): National holiday.
the 12th (Mon): Substitute holiday.
the 13th - 16th (Tue - Fri): Traditional Obon period.
the 17th (Sat).
the 18th (Sun).