Hakone is an increasingly popular destination among travellers, known for the stunning onsen ryokans, scenic views, and the hope of catching a glimpse of Mt. Fuji. Located just outside of Tokyo, Hakone can be enjoyed both as a day trip from Tokyo or an overnight stay in one of the region’s best ryokans.
In this guide, we’ll cover how you can access Hakone from Tokyo – specifically Hakone-Yumoto Station where most Ryokans can be found, as well as connecting across to Lake Ashi where more ryokans can be found.
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Getting to Hakone From Tokyo
Using the Hakone Free Pass
The Hakone Free Pass is a tourist pass that allows you to explore in and around Hakone. See sites like Lake Ashinoko, take the iconic scenic sightseeing boat, soar above the ground on the Hakone Ropeway, and many more. With the Hakone Free Pass, you get access to unlimited rides on 8 of the local transport lines in the Hakone area, as well as discounts to over 70 different attractions, sites, and businesses in the area.
The Hakone Free Pass benefits start from Shinjuku Station, with 1 round-trip ticket from Shinjuku Station to Odawara Station on the Odakyu Line (valued at 910 yen each way). The Odakyu line between Shinjuku and Odawara Station takes roughly an hour and a half each way. From Odawara Station, transfer to the Odakyu/Hakone Tozan train, bound for Hakone Yumoto Station.
From Hakone-Yumoto Station, the most popular way to explore Hakone from there on is;
Hakone-Yumoto Station → Gora Station → Sounzan Station → Owakudani → Togendai Port (Hakone Sightseeing Cruise) → cruise across Lake Ashi → Moto-Hakone → bus back to Hakone-Yumoto or the reverse.
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By Train
From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara Station, taking about 30 minutes, and costing 3,610 Yen One Way (Free with the JR Pass) From Odawara Station, transfer to the Odakyu/Hakone Tozan train, bound for Hakone Yumoto Station, costing 360 Yen one way. Beyond the Shinkansen to Odawara Station, the train lines are not covered by the JR Pass as they are not operated by Japan Rail. From
Getting to Gora, and Lake Ashi from Hakone Yumoto, you can take the Hakone Tozan Line bound for Gora Station. Gora Station serves as the base station for the Hakone Cable car, which connects to the Hakone Ropeway system that takes passengers from Gora, Across Mt. Hakone, over Owakudani, and down to Lake Ashi.
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Rental Car
Renting a car to get to Hakone from Tokyo offers the best opportunities to explore the area, enabling the most flexibility to see and experience everything Hakone has to offer. With your own vehicle, you can easily visit attractions that are less convenient to reach by public transport, including scenic viewpoints, museums, lakeside areas, and mountain roads. Driving also allows you to travel at your own pace, spend more time at the places that interest you most, and avoid the crowds that can build up on Hakone’s popular trains, buses, and ropeways during peak travel periods.
Using the highways, you can get between Tokyo and Hakone in one hour and a half. However, importantly, if you choose to take the free, non-toll roads, then you can expect the journey to take over three and a half hours. For this reason, we highly recommend getting an ETC card with your rental car booking, and accepting that you may have a highway toll fee to pay when you drop off you car. Expect to pay somewhere in the realm of 2,500 – 3,500 yen each way in highway fees.
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Book a rental car
Private Charter
For a hassle-free travel experience to Hakone, you can take a private tour from Tokyo, complete with a driver and car. You can order pre-made tours with a complete itinerary, or customise the itinerary to suit your visit to Hakone, including day trip and multi-day trips to Hakone.
Taking a private charter out to Hakone allows you to plan your trip exactly how you want it to go, customizing departure times, things you want to see and do, and when you return to Tokyo.
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Hakone Yumoto Station to Lake Ashi
To reach Gora and Lake Ashi from Hakone-Yumoto, take the Hakone Tozan Line to Gora Station. Gora serves as the gateway to Hakone’s mountain transport network, where you can transfer to the Hakone Cable Car. The cable car connects with the Hakone Ropeway, which carries passengers across the volcanic landscapes of Mt. Hakone, over the steaming vents of Owakudani, and down to the shores of Lake Ashi. This scenic route is one of the most popular ways to experience Hakone’s mountains, volcanic activity, and lake views in a single journey.
Here are some key stations across the various modes of transport;
- Hakone-Yumoto Station – Known for having many onsens and ryokans near the station.
- Chokokunomori Station – Use this to access the Hakone Open Air Museum.
- Gora Station – Used to connect to the Hakone Cablecar
- Sounzan Station – Top station of the Hakone Cablecar, used to connect to the Hakone Ropeway
- Owakudani – Home of the famous smoldering valley and black eggs.
- Togendai Port – Lake Ashi’s northern shores, departure point for the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise
- Moto-Hakone – Lake Ashi’s southern shores – many hotels can be found here.
Explore Hakone
Top Attractions
Hakone Ropeway
Panoramic cable journey linking Hakone’s highlights
Owakudani
Geothermal attraction with Mt. Fuji Views
Hakone Sightseeing Cruise
Sightseeing boat on Lake Ashinoko, with Mt. Fuji Views.
Hakone Shrine
Viral shrine with torii gate floating in the lake.
Lake Ashinoko
Scenic lake in Hakone
Hakone FAQs
Hakone can best be enjoyed with an overnight stay in one of the many Ryokans or world-class hotels.
However, Hakone can still be enjoyed as a day trip.
Yes, the Hakone Free Pass offers excellent value if you plan to use multiple transports such as the ropeway, pirate ship cruise, and buses, often saving both money and time, particularly if you are planning more than a day trip.
Yes, on clear days you can see Mount Fuji from spots in and around Hakone, like the Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani, and Lake Ashi, though visibility depends heavily on weather conditions.
Where to Stay
Yoshiike Ryokan
Modern Japanese Ryokan, with stunning facilities, gorgeous indoor and outdoor onsen and beautiful gardens.
Hakone Yumoto Onsen Hotel Kajikaso
Stunning riverside hotel with amazing views and fantastic service, only a short walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station.
Hakone Hotel
Luxury hotel, featuring rooms with unforgettable lake views, world class dining, and immaculate facilities.
