Hakone is a mountainous town renowned for the stunning views it offers of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi. Situated less than 100 km west of Tokyo, it’s popular for day trips and weekend breaks from the capital.
Along with the scenic views, there are a number of popular visitor attractions in Hakone. Many people go there specifically for the onsen (hot springs), but you’ll also find points of cultural interest too, including the Hakone Shrine and the Hakone Open Air Museum.
This guide to transport routes between Tokyo and Hakone explains the best ways to make the journey, including the fastest and most economic options.
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Tokyo to Hakone by bullet train
Hakone is set in the mountainous Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, which is easily accessible by high-speed train, despite being located in a remote area. From Tokyo, you have two train routes to Hakone: the Tokaido Shinkansen line and the Odakyu line.
From Tokyo Station, you can take a bullet train on the Tokaido Shinkansen line to Odawara Station, which is included in the JR Pass. From Odawara you then take the Hakone Tozan train and get off at Hakone-Itabashi Station, the final destination stop.
The full trip normally takes a little less than 2 hours. The second part of the journey (from Odawara) is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass so it’s necessary to buy a separate ticket.
Another option is to buy a Hakone Free Pass. It includes the return journey from Tokyo to Hakone as well as unlimited use of certain trains, cable cars, ropeways, boats, and buses, around the Hakone area.
JR Odoriko Express Train from Tokyo to Hakone
An alternative to bullet train services, the JR Odoriko Limited Express connects Tokyo with destinations along the Izu Peninsula. Some services stop at Odawara Station, making it a great option for travelers heading to Hakone. From Odawara, you can change for local connections into the Hakone region.
The Odoriko departs from central Tokyo and Shinjuku Stations, getting you to Odawara in around 80 to 90 minutes. This part of your journey is fully covered by your national JR Pass, so you can reserve a seat at no extra charge.
Romancecar and Odakyu trains from Shinjuku
Another popular route to Hakone is via the Odakyu Electric Railway, which operates regular services from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to Hakone-Yumoto, the gateway town to the region.
The most convenient option is the Romancecar, a limited express train offering a direct journey to Hakone-Yumoto with panoramic windows and reserved seating. The journey from takes around 85 minutes, with no transfers required.
The Romancecar is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass, so you need to purchase a separate ticket for the journey.
In addition to the Romancecar, Odakyu also offers local and rapid express services to Odawara, where you can transfer to the Hakone Tozan Line to complete the journey to Hakone-Yumoto. These regular Odakyu trains take longer and usually require a transfer, but they are a lower-cost alternative.
Taking a highway bus to Hakone
The Odakyu Hakone highway bus company also offers direct services from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to the Lake Ashi area in Hakone. A single trip ticket costs around 2000 yen and travel time is roughly two hours in good traffic.
Seats on the highway bus are reserved. You can get tickets in advance online or at the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal.
Tokyo to Hakone comparison: Fastest, cheapest, and most convenient routes
The best way to travel to Hakone from Tokyo depends on your budget and itinerary. In the table below, you can see a comparison of transport options, including travel times, prices and ticket coverage, to help you find your preferred route.
| Travel Route | Approximate Journey Time | Estimated Cost (One Way) |
Transfers Required | Covered by the JR Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokaido Shinkansen + Hakone Tozan Train | 90 minutes | ¥3,500-¥4,500 | 1
(Odawara) |
Yes
(to Odawara only) |
| JR Odoriko Express + Hakone Tozan Train | 105 minutes | ¥3,200-¥4,000 | 1
(Odawara) |
Yes
(to Odawara only) |
| Odakyu Romancecar | 85 minutes | ¥2,470 | ✖ | ✖ |
| Odakyu Express/Rapid + Hakone Tozan Train | 140 minutes | ~¥1,270-¥1,500 | 1
(Odawara) |
✖ |
| Highway Bus | 120 minutes | ~¥2,000 | ✖ | ✖ |
Getting to Hakone from Osaka and Kyoto
To travel from Kyoto to Hakone, you can take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Kyoto Station to Odawara Station, before taking the Hakone Tozan Railway to reach Hakone-Yumoto in about 15 minutes.
The first leg of the journey takes about 2 hours if using a Hikari or Kodama service. You’ll need an additional ticket for the final part of the journey from Odawara.
If you’re traveling from Osaka to Hakone, the journey follows a similar route. First, take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Odawara, which takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes using a Hikari Shinkansen.
Make sure to check timetables in advance, as direct Hikari trains between Shin-Osaka and Odawara are limited. Once you arrive, complete your journey via the Hakone Tozen Railway (not covered by the pass).
What to do in Hakone
Hakone is best known for Mt. Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes, but there are plenty of other top sights you shouldn’t miss:
- Hakone Shrine – Historic shrine with iconic torii gates that look over the lake
- Hakone Ropeway – Scenic cable car that gives scenic views over the landscape
- Hakone Open-Air Museum – Outdoor sculptures in a forest and mountain setting
- Hakone’s Onsens – Relaxing natural hot springs and bathhouses
- Owakudani – Steaming volcanic valley, famous for its boiled black eggs
- Hakone Checkpoint – Edo-era border crossing post that’s been accurately restored
- Pola Museum of Art – Collection of 9,500+ modern and impressionist works
A popular way of seeing Hakone is by circling the area using five different types of transport, the route is known as the Hakone Round Course. It usually includes a train, cable car, the local ropeway, sightseeing boat, and bus, so you can see the best of the area in one scenic loop.
