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rain local Hakone Tozan Railway montant vers Gora

Hakone: How to Get There from Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka

Visiting Hakone is like treating yourself to a nature escape, surrounded by mountains, hot springs, and views of Mount Fuji. Before planning your stay, it’s important to carefully prepare your journey. Whether you’re coming from Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, several routes are available, with different travel times and levels of comfort.

Here’s an overview of the options to help you organize your trip to Hakone smoothly, depending on your starting point, budget, and time available.

Why Plan Ahead for Your Trip to Hakone?

Hakone is easily accessible from Tokyo. From other cities, you may need one or two transfers depending on your chosen mode of transport. There is no direct Shinkansen line to Hakone: most routes pass through Odawara or Hakone-Yumoto before reaching the villages in the region.

By planning your route in advance, you can avoid unnecessary waiting, enjoy a smoother journey, and better manage your time once there. It’s also a good way to choose the option that best fits your needs—whether you want a faster trip, a cheaper one, or a more scenic ride. Some routes can also be optimized by combining the benefits of passes such as the Hakone Free Pass or the Japan Rail Pass.

Bateau pirate sur le lac Ashi à Hakone

Visiting Hakone from Tokyo

Several options make it possible to reach Hakone from Tokyo, with varying levels of comfort and budget. The main arrival point is Hakone-Yumoto Station, the gateway to the region.

Option 1 – Direct train with the Romancecar

The Romancecar is an express train operated by the Odakyu Railway, running directly from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto.

Duration: about 1h25, no transfers

Fares:
From Shinjuku: ¥2,470
From Otemachi Station: ¥2,830

Comfortable ride with clear views of the mountains

The Romancecar offers reserved, numbered seating.
To ride, you’ll need to purchase a ticket with a Limited Express surcharge. If you’re using the Hakone Free Pass, note that this surcharge is not included, so it must be bought separately. Tickets can be booked in advance or purchased just before departure, depending on availability.

This is the most direct and comfortable option from Tokyo, perfect if you want to minimize transfers.

Luggage is permitted on board at no extra cost, provided it does not exceed 160 cm in total dimensions and 30 kg in weight. There is no dedicated luggage compartment, but bags can be stored in the overhead racks or at your feet.

For a short stay in Hakone—especially if you’re traveling light—the Romancecar is an excellent choice.

Gora Park - Gora, Hakone

Option 2 – Odakyu train with a transfer at Odawara

This option allows you to reach Hakone on a lower budget while still keeping the trip fairly simple. The journey is split into two stages:

  • Shinjuku → Odawara by Odakyu Express train
  • Odawara → Hakone-Yumoto by the local Hakone Tozan train
  • Total travel time: about 2 hours
  • Fare: around ¥1,250
  • Fully included in the Hakone Free Pass when departing from Shinjuku, Tokyo.

This option is ideal for travelers who want to get the most out of the pass and aren’t pressed for time. The transfer at Odawara is easy, well signposted, and with frequent connections.

Temple to discover with Hakone Tozan Railway local train to Gora

Visiting Hakone from Kyoto and Osaka

From Kyoto or Osaka, the journey to Hakone is mainly by Shinkansen (bullet train), with a transfer at Odawara.

Recommended route

  • Kyoto / Osaka → Odawara: by Shinkansen Hikari or Kodama

    Good to know: the Shinkansen journey can be done on either the Hikari or Kodama, both of which stop at Odawara Station. The Hikari is faster with fewer stops, while the Kodama stops at every station. The faster Nozomi trains do not stop at Odawara and are not included in the Japan Rail Pass.
    Luggage is included in the ticket, even for large suitcases.

  • Odawara → Hakone-Yumoto: by the local Hakone Tozan train
    Luggage is accepted on board the Hakone Tozan, including suitcases. Space is limited, but many travelers use this line with their bags. Traveling outside peak hours simply makes the ride more comfortable.

At a glance

  • Total travel time:

    • From Kyoto: around 2h15

    • From Osaka: around 2h45

    Fare: depends on the type of Shinkansen and the class of travel.
    The Shinkansen ride to Odawara is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

The Hakone Tozan train between Odawara and Hakone-Yumoto is included in the Hakone Free Pass when starting from Odawara. This option is particularly convenient for travelers who want to add Hakone as a stopover between Kyoto and Tokyo, without having to pass back through the major central stations.

5 Perfect Days in Hakone
My Itinerary
Bus ride to Botanical wetland, Hakone

From Hakone-Yumoto to Gora

Once in Hakone-Yumoto, it’s easy to head up to the mountain villages. One key stop is Gora, a central hub for the ropeway, museums, and ryokan with onsen.

The journey is on the Hakone Tozan mountain train, known for its steep switchbacks and sudden changes of direction as it makes its way uphill.

Le trajet se fait à bord du train de montagne Hakone Tozan, célèbre pour ses lacets et ses changements de direction en pleine montée.

At a glance

  • Hakone-Yumoto → Gora

    • Duration: about 40 minutes

    • Scenic mountain train with beautiful views

    • Included in the Hakone Free Pass

Suitcases are permitted on the train, as on the rest of the network, though space is limited. For more comfort, it’s best to travel light or avoid peak hours.

This ride is an experience in itself. It marks the transition from Hakone’s valleys to its peaks, with a one-of-a-kind atmosphere along the way.

Using the Hakone Free Pass – A Must!
Here’s Why
Top of Gora funicular view

Planning Your Trip to Hakone – Key Takeaways

Hakone is easy to reach whether you’re coming from Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. There are several routes to suit different types of travelers: direct or budget-friendly options, maximum comfort, or the best use of travel passes.

For a short stay from Tokyo, the Romancecar is the simplest and most comfortable choice. For a tighter budget, the Odakyu train with a transfer at Odawara is an excellent alternative. From Kyoto or Osaka, taking the Shinkansen to Odawara and connecting to a local train makes it easy to include Hakone in a wider itinerary between Japan’s major cities. That’s the option I chose, fitting it into my trip between Kyoto and Tokyo.

Spending a little time planning your journey not only helps you save money but also makes travel smoother and more relaxed—especially during peak season or on busy lines.

Tickets booked? Time to pick your stay!
Where to Sleep in Hakone

FAQ – Getting to Hakone

Do you need to reserve trains to Hakone?

No. The Romancecar operates with reserved seating only, so you’ll need to buy a ticket with a surcharge—either in advance or just before departure (subject to availability).

The other trains (regular Odakyu, Hakone Tozan, Shinkansen) do not require reservations.

By direct Romancecar from Shinjuku, the trip takes about 1h25.
With a regular Odakyu train and a transfer at Odawara, it’s around 2 hours.

From Kyoto, take a Hikari or Kodama Shinkansen to Odawara (about 2 hours), then transfer to a local train to Hakone-Yumoto (about 15 minutes).

From Osaka, the route is similar to Kyoto’s but a bit longer:
take the Shinkansen to Odawara (about 2h30), then transfer to a local train to Hakone-Yumoto (about 15 minutes), for a total of around 2h45.

It’s valid on the Hikari or Kodama Shinkansen to Odawara. From there, getting to Hakone-Yumoto and traveling around the region requires either a separate ticket or the Hakone Free Pass.

Yes—especially if you’re staying in Hakone for at least 2 days and plan to use several types of transport (train, bus, ropeway, boat). Check out my full article dedicated to the pass.

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