Mountain town in Kanagawa, Japan
Getting around Hakone
How to get around Hakone
A loop of mountain railway, cable car, ropeway, lake boat and buses links the sights. Buy the Hakone Free Pass or pay per leg; buses are slow in peak season.
Ways to get around Hakone
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Hakone Tozan Railway and cable car | About 190–700 JPY per section | Hakone-Yumoto to Gora, then funicular to Sounzan |
| Hakone Free Pass | About 6,100–6,700 JPY for 2 days from Shinjuku | Includes round-trip train from Shinjuku and most Hakone transport |
| Hakone Ropeway and Lake Ashi cruise | About 1,500 JPY and 1,200 JPY | Scenic route over Owakudani; closes during gas or high winds |
| Taxi | 2,000–3,200 JPY for 5 km | Useful for luggage; few cars at night |
Taxis in Hakone
- No ride-hailing apps operate here. No ride apps; taxis wait at Hakone-Yumoto, Gora and Odawara stations and your inn can call one. No tipping.
Arriving in Hakone
Via Tokyo (Haneda or Narita) (HND)
Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto about 2,500 JPY, 85 min; or JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara then bus or train, about 1.5 h from Tokyo.
Driving and onward travel
- Driving: on the left. Bring a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP; licences from Germany, France, Switzerland, Taiwan and a few others need a JAF translation.
- Onward travel in Japan: Shinkansen bullet trains link most cities fast but are pricey; the national JR Pass only pays off on long itineraries. Highway buses and budget flights are cheaper.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Hakone?
No ride-hailing apps work here. No ride apps; taxis wait at Hakone-Yumoto, Gora and Odawara stations and your inn can call one. No tipping.
What's the best way to get around Hakone?
A loop of mountain railway, cable car, ropeway, lake boat and buses links the sights. Buy the Hakone Free Pass or pay per leg; buses are slow in peak season.
How do I get from the airport to Hakone?
Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto about 2,500 JPY, 85 min; or JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara then bus or train, about 1.5 h from Tokyo.
Is Hakone walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Hakone
Going to Hakone solo?
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Sources
- Japan Rail Pass (official)
- smartEX Shinkansen booking (Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu)
- Japan National Tourism Organization
- Odakyu Hakone Free Pass
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.