Travelling to Hakone

How to get to Hakone

Wondering how to get to Hakone? While there are many reasons this resort is a favourite, its effortless accessibility via local Hakone transportation is certainly at the top of the list. You can easily reach nearly every landmark using the public transport network. The primary entry point is Hakone-Yumoto Station, where you can board the mountain railway and ropeway to head up into the higher peaks. To get the most out of your budget, travellers strongly suggest purchasing a Hakone free pass for unlimited travel on the area's transit lines.

Tokyo to Hakone

If you are asking how to get to Hakone from Tokyo or how to get from Tokyo to Hakone, you have several excellent options. For those looking at how to get from Tokyo to Hakone by train, the absolute most popular route is via the Odakyu Romancecar express train. It is remarkably swift and comfortable, featuring extra-wide windows that give you spectacular views of the shifting cityscapes, coastal borders, and mountain ranges. Even if you choose a more budget-friendly train, when calculating how long does it take to get from Tokyo to Hakone (or how long does it take to get to Hakone from Tokyo), you will find yourself arriving in the heart of the area in roughly 2 hours.

• 1) Odakyu Romancecar (Direct & most convenient)

• Duration: ~85–90 minutes

• Price: ~¥2,400–¥2,500

• Notes: A direct service from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto with no changes required

• 2) Shinkansen + Hakone Tozan Railway (Fastest option)

• Duration: ~90 minutes

• Price: ~¥3,500–¥4,500

• Notes: Board the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Odawara, then switch to the local line

• 3) Local Odakyu Train (Low-cost alternative)

• Duration: ~2–2.5 hours

• Price: ~¥1,300

(Note: Planning your journey back and wondering how to get from Hakone to Tokyo? The transport routes and journey times are exactly the same in reverse!)

Kyoto to Hakone

How to get from Kyoto to Hakone? To travel from Kyoto to Hakone, your best bet is to catch the Shinkansen bullet train over to Odawara Station. If you are researching how to get to Hakone from Kyoto or how to get from Kyoto to Hakone by train, you will simply need to switch onto the local Hakone Tozan Railway at Odawara to reach Hakone-Yumoto Station. Keep in mind that the Nozomi Shinkansen does not stop at Odawara, so you will want to book a Hikari or Kodama train instead.

• Shinkansen (Hikari or Kodama) + Hakone Tozan Railway
• Duration: ~2 hours 15 minutes – 2.5 hours
• Price: ~¥11,000–¥13,000
• Transfers: 1 change (at Odawara)

(Note: Should you need to find out how to get to Kyoto from Hakone, how to get from Hakone to Kyoto, or how to get from Hakone to Kyoto by train, you can follow this exact same route in reverse).

Osaka to Hakone

Need to know how to get from Osaka to Hakone or how to get to Hakone from Osaka? It takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours to arrive at Hakone-Yumoto Station from Shin-Osaka Station. You will take the reliable Hikari or Kodama Shinkansen express services to Odawara Station, and then swap over to the local Hakone Tozan line.

• Shinkansen + Hakone Tozan Railway
• Duration: ~2.5–3 hours
• Price: ~¥12,000–¥14,000
• Transfers: 1 change (at Odawara)

Popular routes from Hakone

Hakone to Mt. Fuji (Kawaguchiko area)

Hakone serves up incredible vistas of Mt Fuji, but if you want an up-close look at Japan's tallest peak, reaching it is straightforward. Wondering how to get from Hakone to Mt Fuji, how to get to Mt Fuji from Hakone, or how to get to Mount Fuji from Hakone? You can comfortably complete the trip using a long-distance coach or regional trains. While the rail option involves one or two changes, it is a highly reliable choice that ensures you avoid any potential road traffic.

• 1) Coach (Direct & simplest)
• Route: Hakone (Togendai / Motohakone) → Kawaguchiko
• Duration: ~2–2.5 hours
• Price: ~¥2,000–¥2,500
• 2) Train (via Gotemba)
• Route: Hakone-Yumoto → Gotemba → Kawaguchiko
• Duration: ~2.5–3.5 hours
• Price: ~¥2,500–¥4,000
• Transfers: 1–2 changes

Hakone to Takayama

Nestled deep within pristine forests, the historic town of Takayama has lovingly preserved its traditional architecture and centuries-old streets. The fairytale-like merchant dwellings in Hida-no-sato offer an enchanting window into classical Japanese life. So, how get from Hakone to Takayama? The most popular configuration is to catch the Shinkansen and connect via the Limited Express train at Nagoya.

• 1) Shinkansen + Limited Express (via Nagoya)

• Route: Odawara → Nagoya (Shinkansen) → Takayama (Hida Limited Express)

• Duration: ~4.5–5 hours

• Price: ~¥14,000–¥16,000

• Transfers: 1 change (at Nagoya)

• 2) Rail via Tokyo (Alternative route)

• Route: Odawara → Tokyo → Takayama

• Duration: ~5.5–6 hours

• Price: ~¥15,000–¥18,000

• Transfers: 2 changes

• Notes: Takes a bit longer, but highly useful depending on your specific timetable

More Ways to Explore Japan

Whether you are looking to glide across the regions on a high-speed train, take to the skies with Japan domestic flights, or keep your budget intact by booking coaches in Japan (such as the highly regarded Willer Express), Omio makes coordination seamless. Travelling in from overseas? Be sure to arrange your train links from major transport hubs.

(Keen to explore the stunning outer islands? You can quickly board passenger ferries in Japan by taking a short train journey to any of the nearby port cities!)

Best time to visit Hakone

The best time to visit Hakone comes down entirely to the types of landscapes and experiences you want to enjoy during your holiday.

Hakone Travel Tips

Keep these essential Hakone travel tips in mind to ensure a seamless holiday:

• Plan around Japanese public holidays: Being one of the nation's premier resorts, Hakone experiences a massive influx of visitors during peak holiday periods. The famous Golden Week (running from late April to early May) and the traditional New Year holidays see the largest crowds of the year. If you prefer a quieter escape, it is highly recommended to avoid these dates.
• Opt for rail over roads: Because Hakone is nestled in a mountainous region, the local roads are quite narrow and prone to severe gridlock. During weekends and holidays, you could find yourself stuck in traffic for hours. Wondering how to get around Hakone without a car? Your best strategy is relying on public transit. If you are figuring out how to get around Hakone or how to get around in Hakone, the local buses and mountain trains are exceptionally punctual and efficient.
• Keep an IC card handy: You will likely use several different transport operators throughout your trip; fortunately, the vast majority accept smart IC cards like Pasmo and Suica. You can seamlessly tap-and-go across the Hakone Tozan Railway, local buses, cable cars, and ropeways.

Watch & Learn Before You Go

Getting your head around the vast Japanese rail system might feel slightly overwhelming at first, but we are here to help. Grab a hot cuppa and take a look at our helpful video guides:

Navigate Train Networks in Japan: A visual breakdown to help you make perfect sense of the country's magnificent rail layout, enabling you to master major transit hubs like Tokyo Station or Odawara like a local.

JR Pass Explained: Discover exactly how the Japan Rail Pass operates, when it offers the best value for your itinerary, and how you can combine it with regional travel to spots like Hakone.

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