Hakone to Yokohama Transfer Day

This Hakone to Yokohama transfer day covers the full route east from Lake Ashinoko, with a stop at Odawara Castle along the way and an afternoon at Yokohama's Minato Mirai waterfront once the hotel bags are dropped off. Along the route, this guide covers the CUPNOODLES MUSEUM, Nippon Maru Memorial Park, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, and Yokohama World Porters, plus where to stay near the port and what to eat for dinner.

Morning: Hakone to Odawara

Photos: PHOTO AC

The actual route to leave Hakone varies, depending on the next place you visit. This article and itinerary are written for travelers who are heading east to Yokohama. Therefore, we'll focus on transportation to Yokohama, but we'll also briefly introduce the other two exits of the Hakone area for your reference.

• Odawara to the east is the gateway of Hakone that most travelers pass through when they visit Hakone. Many different train lines cross Odawara Station, and the recommended transportation from Hakone to Odawara differs depending on where you stayed the night before.
  • stayed at Gora: take Hakone Tozan Railway
  • stayed at Hakone-Yumoto: take Hakone Tozan Railway
  • stayed at Sengokuhara: take Hakone Tozan Bus
  • stayed at Lake Ashinoko: take Hakone Tozan Bus
    • free shuttle bus from The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko is also available
• Gotemba to the northwest is where you should go by taking Hakone Tozan Bus if you are next visiting the Fuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko) region at the northern foot of Mount Fuji to enjoy its leisurely pace and natural surroundings.
• Mishima to the southwest is served by the Tokaido Shinkansen and Tokaido Main Line, from where you can continue your journey west to Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, or Nagoya. Taking Hakone Tozan Bus is the recommended way to go from Hakone to Mishima.

The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko Shuttle Service

• From hotel to Odawara station: 10:30, 13:00, 15:15 (reservation required)
• Web Reservation: six months before the stay up until 12:00 two days beforehand.
• Hotel reservation staff: after the above period and up to the day of your stay.

Odawara Station is one of the major transportation hubs in Kanagawa Prefecture, where several train lines converge. Like many important stations in Japan, it has attracted a wide range of commercial facilities, making the surrounding area a lively local center for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Visitors will find plenty of restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops around the station, making it an ideal place to stretch your legs and take a break before continuing your journey.

We highly recommend stopping here to visit one of the area's most famous landmarks, Odawara Castle, which is only a 10-minute walk from the station. After exploring the castle grounds, you can enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants nearby. In fact, there is so much to see and do around Odawara Station that you could easily spend an entire day here if your schedule allows.

Odawara Castle

Photos: PHOTO AC

Odawara Castle became the stronghold of the powerful Hōjō clan during the Sengoku (Warring States) period. Around the 16th century, it served as an important political and military center for the Hōjō family's rule over the Kantō region.

Today, the beautifully restored Odawara Castle offers much more than historical exhibitions. Visitors can enjoy a variety of interactive experiences while learning about Japanese history and culture.

• The Main Keep (Tenshukaku) features exhibits introducing the history of Odawara Castle, along with displays of fine arts and traditional crafts.
• The Tokiwagi Gate SAMURAI Museum specializes in samurai culture and showcases armor, swords, and other historical weapons and equipment.
• The Odawara Castle NINJA Museum offers an interactive experience where visitors can learn about the legendary Fūma ninja, who are said to have secretly supported the Hōjō clan during the Sengoku period.

Adult Tickets:

• Main Keep: ¥1,000 (Admission to the SAMURAI Museum is included)
• SAMURAI Museum: ¥300
• NINJA Museum: ¥500

Midday: On to Yokohama

From Odawara, the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line (45 min) or the Ueno-Tokyo Line (53 min) runs directly through to Yokohama Station without a change. Similar to Tokyo, Yokohama offers a wide range of accommodation, from budget-friendly to top-class hotels for travelers to balance experience and budget.

Where to Stay (in Yokohama Area)

Since most of the attractions are near Yokohama Port, it's a good choice to stay the night at Minato Mirai or the Waterfront area — not to mention that the view of Yokohama Port from a high floor is hard to beat.

If convenient transportation matters more to you, hotels near Yokohama Station are the better fit; the area around the station is also a commercial center offering shopping, dining, and entertainment.

In this guide, we've assumed a stay at New Otani Inn Yokohama Premium near Sakuragicho, which requires a further transfer from Yokohama Station to Sakuragicho on the Keihin-Tohoku/Negishi Line.

This is a good moment to freshen up and rest for an hour before heading back out.

Check-in at hotels opens at 15:00. If you arrive early, you may drop your luggage at the front desk before Check-in.

Afternoon: Minato Mirai & the Waterfront

Photos: Yokohama City Visitors Bureau (YCVB)

With bags out of the way, the afternoon is free to explore the waterfront around Yokohama Port. There are several places you may choose to visit before dinner, including Nippon Maru Memorial Park, Yokohama Cosmo World, CUPNOODLES MUSEUM, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, and Yokohama World Porters.

Nippon Maru Memorial Park

In front of the hotel lies a gorgeous white sailing ship, Nippon Maru. The ship was used for 54 years as a training vessel for cadets, and is now part of Nippon Maru Memorial Park, together with the Yokohama Port Museum, exhibiting Japan's maritime history.

Adult Tickets:

• Combined ticket (Nippon Maru + museum): ¥800
• Nippon Maru only: ¥400
• Yokohama Port Museum only: ¥500

Yokohama Cosmo World

Photos: PHOTO AC

On the opposite shore stands the iconic Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel, part of the free-admission, urban-style amusement park, Yokohama Cosmo World. This park is a popular local attraction for families with young children. It offers thrill rides such as the Vanish roller coaster, which dives into an underwater tunnel, along with various adventure and VR attractions, plus more casual options like a double-decker carousel, a cycle monorail, haunted houses, mazes, and interactive games.

Ticket Options:

• Admission is free
• Operates on a pay-per-ride system
• Single tickets: ¥100 to ¥1,000 (sold at face value)
• Discount tickets:
  • ¥3,500 value → ¥3,200
  • ¥5,000 value → ¥4,500
  • ¥7,000 value → ¥6,000

CUPNOODLES MUSEUM

Photos: PHOTO AC

CUPNOODLES MUSEUM Yokohama is a fun, hands-on attraction where visitors can explore the world of instant noodles through interactive exhibits and creative activities. The highlight for many visitors is the My CUPNOODLES Factory, where you can design your own cup, choose a soup flavor, and select your favorite toppings to create a one-of-a-kind CUPNOODLES to take home.

Families can also enjoy CUPNOODLES Park, an indoor playground that lets children experience the noodle-making process through physical activities and games. Other attractions include a fascinating display of instant noodle products from around the world, a recreation of the original workshop where instant ramen was developed, and the NOODLES BAZAAR, where visitors can sample noodle dishes inspired by different countries.

Admission & Additional Fees

• Admission to CUPNOODLES MUSEUM Yokohama costs ¥500 for adults. Most exhibition areas are included with admission, but several hands-on attractions require an additional fee. Popular paid experiences include:
  • My CUPNOODLES Factory: ¥500 per cup to create your own customized CUPNOODLES.
  • Chicken Ramen Factory: ¥600 for elementary school children and ¥1,200 for junior high school students and adults. Advance reservation is required.
  • CUPNOODLES Park: ¥500 per session for children aged 3 through elementary school age.
  • NOODLES BAZAAR: Food is purchased separately, with noodle dishes starting from ¥500 per serving.

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (Yokohama Akarenga Soko)

Photos: PHOTO AC

The Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, also known as Yokohama Akarenga Soko, is one of Yokohama's most popular waterfront attractions. Originally built in 1911 as a shipping warehouse, it was transformed into a cultural and shopping complex in 2002 while preserving its historic red brick architecture.

Today, visitors can enjoy unique shops, exclusive Yokohama souvenirs, and a wide variety of restaurants ranging from casual food courts to stylish dining spots with harbor views. The warehouse also hosts seasonal events throughout the year and offers beautiful views of Yokohama Port and the Yokohama Bay Bridge.

Next to the complex is Red Brick Park, an open seaside space where you can relax on the grass, watch ships pass by, and admire the Minato Mirai skyline. With great shopping, dining, and waterfront scenery, it's the perfect place to spend an afternoon and stay for dinner as the sun sets over the harbor.

Yokohama World Porters

Photos: PHOTO AC

Yokohama World Porters is a popular shopping, dining, and entertainment complex in the heart of Minato Mirai. With a diverse mix of restaurants, fashion stores, character shops, and attractions, it is a great destination for families, couples, and travelers.

Food lovers can explore the newly opened World Food Hall, featuring international cuisine from Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, and beyond, as well as popular desserts and sweets. Shoppers can browse a wide range of stores, from fashion brands and vintage clothing to Japanese souvenirs, character goods, toys, stationery, Hawaiian-themed products, and specialty hobby shops.

For entertainment, visitors can enjoy VS PARK, the Yokohama Trick Art Museum, Bandai Namco Cross Store, arcades, karaoke, and a cinema complex. The rooftop area offers open-air terraces, green spaces, and mini golf, making it a perfect place to relax while enjoying views of the Minato Mirai waterfront.

Evening: Yokohama Port

Photos: Yokohama City Visitors Bureau (YCVB)

Dinner and shopping for the next day can both be enjoyed around the Red Brick Warehouse or World Porters before returning to the hotel and settling in for the days ahead. Below are some restaurants that are highly rated by local visitors.

• Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

  • Butcher Republic — a great place to enjoy all-you-can-eat churrasco, featuring juicy cuts of meat slow-roasted and carved fresh at your table. Pair your meal with a selection of house-brewed craft beers, then relax on the terrace while taking in the beautiful views of Yokohama's waterfront and Minato Mirai skyline.
  • Yokohama Tachibana-tei (横濱たちばな亭) — Japanese-style Western restaurant known for its signature “Flying Omurice,” freshly prepared by the chef right before your eyes. The most popular dish is the Omurice with Demi-Glace Sauce, featuring a fluffy, creamy omelet over ketchup rice and topped with a rich, flavorful demi-glace sauce.
  • Cafe & Rotisserie LA COCORICO — casual Italian trattoria famous for its signature rotisserie chicken and wide selection of craft beers. Guests can enjoy hearty Italian favorites, including fresh pasta, authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, Parma ham, and seafood dishes, all at reasonable prices.

• Yokohama World Porters

  • Shabu-yo (しゃぶ葉) — restaurant where visitors can experience shabu-shabu, a traditional Japanese hot pot dish in which thinly sliced meat and fresh vegetables are cooked in a simmering broth and enjoyed with flavorful dipping sauces. At Shabu-yo, guests can choose from a variety of meats and broths, enjoy unlimited fresh vegetables, sushi, curry, and noodles, and self-serve desserts.
  • Maguro Donya Megumi (まぐろ問屋 恵み) — Conveyor-belt sushi is a uniquely Japanese dining style in which sushi plates move around the restaurant on a rotating lane, allowing diners to freely pick their favorites as they pass by. Known for its high-quality tuna and seasonal seafood delivered directly from Misaki Port and seafood markets, Maguro Donya Megumi offers a casual and delicious Japanese conveyor-belt sushi.
  • Kamakura Pasta (鎌倉パスタ) — Japanese pasta restaurant known for its freshly made pasta with a chewy texture and unique Japanese-inspired flavors. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of pasta dishes in a relaxing Japanese-style setting, with some locations also offering unlimited freshly baked bread.

• Seasonal notes: works in any season; the Red Brick Warehouse and World Porters area is a mix of indoor and open-air spaces, so it holds up reasonably well regardless of weather

• Backup rainy-day options: the Cup Noodles Museum, World Porters, the Nippon Maru museum building, and Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse are all fully indoors, making this a fairly rain-proof afternoon; Odawara Castle's grounds are the one outdoor stop, so consider shortening that visit in heavy rain.

Before you go: The Hakone-to-Odawara shuttle bus requires a reservation. Online reservations are open from six months before the stay until 12:00 noon two days beforehand; after that, the hotel's reservation staff can still book it for you up to the day of your stay. Don't plan around this bus without a confirmed reservation.

Time-Block Itinerary

Start: The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko
End: New Otani Inn Yokohama Premium

Transport Notes

• The shuttle bus from The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko to Odawara Station is reservation-only; book it well before the travel date, since the bus has a limited number of seats.
• Odawara to Yokohama runs directly on the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line or the JR Ueno-Tokyo Line, with no transfer needed.
• Yokohama Station to Sakuragicho is a short additional hop on the JR Yokohama Line or the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line.

Cost and Ticket Notes

• Odawara Castle, Tenshukaku: ¥1,000, adult.
• Nippon Maru + museum combined ticket: ¥800, adult.
• CUPNOODLES MUSEUM admission: ¥500, additional fee for hands-on attractions.
• Budget for: the JR fares from Odawara to Sakuragicho, lunch around Odawara, fees for attractions, and dinner around Yokohama Port.

This day pairs well with:

• Hakone - Lake Ashinoko & Shrine Day — the day before, the last full day based in Hakone
• Kamakura & Enoshima Day Trip from Yokohama — the day after, staying at the same Sakuragicho hotel