Tokyo to Hakone Transfer Day

Discover the best way to travel from Tokyo to Hakone and turn the journey itself into part of the sightseeing. This guide covers how to get there by Shinkansen, where to stay, and how to make the most of the Hakone Free Pass as you make your way through the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Gora Park, the volcanic landscape of Owakudani, and the iconic Lake Ashinoko — riding the Hakone Ropeway for views of Mount Fuji along the way and crossing the lake aboard the famous Pirate Ship. Along with practical advice on luggage services, shuttle buses, and dining, it's built for first-time visitors who want to see the best of Hakone without the guesswork.

Getting to Hakone

Photos: PHOTO AC

For travel from Tokyo to Hakone, we recommend taking the Shinkansen instead of the Odakyu Romancecar for two reasons.

First, the Shinkansen operates more frequently, making it easier to plan and adjust your itinerary. Second, traveling by Shinkansen and local train can save up to 40 minutes compared with the Romancecar, giving you more time to explore and enjoy Hakone.

From Gotanda, take a short train ride to Shinagawa Station and board the Kodama Shinkansen bound for Odawara. From Odawara, transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway and continue to Hakone-Yumoto, the gateway to the Hakone area.

Photos: PHOTO AC

Shinkansen ticket

You can book Shinkansen tickets either before arriving in Japan or after arrival through the Shinkansen website. To ride the Shinkansen, passengers normally need two separate tickets: a boarding ticket (basic fare) and a limited express ticket (Shinkansen surcharge). However, when purchasing through the online reservation service, both are typically issued together as a single ticket.

Hakone Free Pass

To make the most of your visit to Hakone, we highly recommend purchasing a Hakone Free Pass in advance. The pass provides unlimited travel for two or three consecutive days on most transportation within Hakone, including: local trains, buses, the Hakone Tozan Cable Car, the Hakone Ropeway, and the Hakone Pirate Ship. The pass can be purchased on the official website or at 7-Eleven starting one month before your designated travel date.

How To Use (Before Boarding)

• Show this ticket to a member of staff when requested.

Using Your Digital Ticket

1. Purchase the Hakone Free Pass in advance through the EMot Online Tickets mobile app.
2. Open the EMot Online Tickets app, select this ticket from Your Tickets, and tap Activate to make it valid for use.
3. When traveling, either:
   • Hold the QR code over the ticket reader, or
   • Show the activated ticket screen to a member of staff.

Using IC Cards in Hakone area

An alternative is to use an IC transportation card such as Suica or PASMO. While IC cards are convenient for most train and bus journeys, separate digital or paper tickets are required for certain attractions and transportation services, including:

• Hakone Tozan Cable Car
• Hakone Ropeway
• Hakone Pirate Ship

Ticket information

• Kodama Shinkansen: ¥3,410 for reserved seat by Official Online Reservation Service
• Hakone Free Pass: ¥6,000 for two-day pass by official website or 7-Eleven

Where to Stay

Photos: PHOTO AC

Hakone is one of Japan's most celebrated sightseeing destinations, known for its diverse landscapes and natural beauty — valleys with crystal-clear streams, forested hillsides that turn color with the seasons, silver grass fields reminiscent of samurai duels, and tranquil mountain lakes.

When planning your stay, it is important to understand that each area of Hakone provides a different atmosphere, level of convenience, and price range.

• Hakone-Yumoto is the gateway to Hakone and the most convenient area for travelers arriving by train. With a wide selection of hotels and traditional ryokan, it generally offers the best value for budget-conscious travelers while providing easy access to the rest of the region.
• Gora is known for its elegant hot spring resorts, museums, and convenient access to many of Hakone's top attractions. It serves as a central transportation hub: from here, you can travel southwest to the volcanic valley of Owakudani by ropeway, northwest to museums and the famous pampas grass fields by bus, south toward Lake Ashinoko by bus, or east through scenic valleys by mountain railway. Accommodation in Gora is typically more upscale, making it a favorite choice for travelers seeking a classic Hakone ryokan experience.
• Sengokuhara offers a peaceful highland atmosphere surrounded by nature. It particularly appeals to travelers who want to relax at a slower pace or enjoy a refined cultural experience through the area's excellent museums. Known for luxury retreats and private open-air baths, accommodations here tend to be among the most expensive in Hakone.
• Lake Ashinoko (Moto-Hakone) is renowned for its spectacular lake views and proximity to iconic attractions such as Hakone Shrine and the sightseeing cruises that cross the lake. While lake-view rooms are highly sought after and generally command higher rates, they remain affordable for many travelers. Prices are often comparable to those in Gora or Sengokuhara, though the area is less convenient in terms of transportation. As a result, staying here requires more careful itinerary planning to make the most of your visit.

To help you plan your visit to Hakone, we have prepared a sample itinerary based on a stay near Lake Ashinoko, such as the Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko. Our Transfer Day and Hub Day itineraries introduce many of the transportation options available throughout Hakone, giving you a practical overview of how to get around and adapt these routes to your own schedule and travel style. To make your journey more comfortable and efficient, we recommend taking advantage of hotel shuttle buses and luggage delivery services.

Hotel Shuttle Services in Hakone

Many hotels and ryokans in Hakone provide free shuttle bus services between train stations, sightseeing areas, and their accommodations. These services are especially convenient for properties located away from major transportation hubs. Shuttle schedules, routes, and reservation requirements vary by hotel, so be sure to check the latest information on the hotel's official website before your trip.

The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko Shuttle Service

• From Odawara station: 11:45, 14:00, 16:15 (reservation required)
• From Moto-Hakone: 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30 (no reservation required)
• Hotel Check-in starts at 15:00.
• Guests arriving early may leave their luggage at the hotel before check-in.

Photos: PHOTO AC

Hakone Luggage Transport Service

Exploring Hakone is much more enjoyable without carrying heavy luggage. The Hakone Luggage Transport Service delivers luggage between Hakone-Yumoto Station and participating hotels throughout the Hakone area. Simply drop off your luggage at the service counter in Hakone-Yumoto Station and enjoy sightseeing while your bags are delivered directly to your hotel.

How It Works

1. Make a reservation through the Online Reservation
2. Drop off your luggage at Hakone-Yumoto Station between 8:30 and 12:00.
3. Enjoy sightseeing in Hakone luggage-free.
4. Pick up your luggage at your hotel after 15:00.

Important Information

• Regular size (up to 140 cm total dimensions, 15 kg): ¥1,500 per item
• Large size (up to 200 cm total dimensions, 30 kg): ¥2,500 per item
• Same-day online reservations must be completed by 11:30.
• For return deliveries, please arrange the service at your hotel's front desk by 10:00 on the day of travel.

Midday: Open-Air Museum & Gora Park

Hakone Open-Air Museum

Photos: PHOTO AC

From Hakone-Yumoto, continue up toward Chokoku-no-Mori by Hakone Tozan Railway. A 3-minute walk from Chokoku-no-Mori Station is the first stop on this leg of the trip — the Hakone Open-Air Museum. This outdoor museum exhibits masterpieces from modern sculptors such as Rodin and Henry Moore. The museum also houses the Picasso Pavilion, which showcases over 300 pieces of Picasso's ceramic works. One sculpture you can't miss is the "Symphonic Sculpture," a tower-like structure fitted entirely with stained glass inside. Near the entrance are the information counter and coin lockers where you can deposit your luggage and enjoy exploring the museum's artwork without carrying it around.

• Advance web ticket costs ¥1,800 for adults
• Coin lockers take a ¥100 coin deposit, which is refundable.

Gora Park

Photos: PHOTO AC

Climbing upward by Hakone Tozan Railway and then Hakone Tozan Cable Car, you will find Gora Park, a western-style landscape park located on the steep slope above Gora Station. It is free to enter with a Hakone Free Pass. The closest stop to the park's west gate is "Koen-kami" (park-upper) station. We recommend entering through this gate because it lets you walk through the park downhill — helpful when you're carrying heavy luggage.

A break at one of the park's cafés is a good way to reset before the afternoon. Here are dishes recommended for each café:

• Isshido Charou: dashi-rolled egg sandwich or wagyu roast beef sandwich
• Cafe Pic: Hakone-style curry

Afternoon: Owakudani & Lake Ashinoko

Photos: PHOTO AC

From Gora, the Hakone Tozan Cable Car and Hakone Ropeway take you high above the mountains to Owakudani. The ropeway offers a relaxing aerial journey with spectacular views of the volcanic valley below and breathtaking panoramas of Mount Fuji.

Owakudani is an active volcanic valley famous for its sulfurous steam vents and its iconic black eggs, known as kuro-tamago. These eggs are boiled in the area's hot spring waters, where minerals react with the eggshells and turn them black. Their rich flavor has made them one of Hakone's most famous local specialties. There are three observation points around Owakudani, allowing visitors to experience the dramatic volcanic landscape up close. Rising steam, rugged terrain, and the distinctive scent of sulfur create a truly memorable encounter with the power of nature.

From Owakudani, the ropeway continues down to Togendai on the shores of Lake Ashinoko. The lake was formed within the caldera of the ancient Hakone Volcano, its deep blue water ringed by green mountains and drifting white clouds. On clear days, Mount Fuji rises majestically to the northwest — the view of the lake with Fuji behind it has become a symbol of Hakone.

Photos: PHOTO AC

At Togendai, board the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, affectionately known as the "Pirate Ship," for the crossing to Moto-Hakone Port. The cruise is included with the Hakone Free Pass, so simply present your pass to a member of staff when boarding. If you do not have a Hakone Free Pass, tickets can be purchased at any of the three ports along the route (Togendai Port, Moto-Hakone Port, and Hakone-machi Port) or online through EMot Online Tickets.

Cruise Information

• Large luggage is permitted on both the Hakone Ropeway and the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise.
• Cruise departures from Togendai: 9:30, 10:10, 10:45, 11:25, 12:00, 12:40, 13:15, 13:55, 14:30, 15:10, 15:50, 16:25.
• The final departure (17:00) only goes as far as Hakone-machi Port, not all the way to Moto-Hakone Port — from there it's an additional 21-minute walk or 3-minute bus ride to Moto-Hakone Port.
• Boarding procedures usually begin approximately 5 to 10 minutes before departure.
• Sailing directly from Togendai Port to Moto-Hakone Port takes about 40–50 minutes.
• Accessible restrooms, including multipurpose facilities, are available on board.

Evening: Arrival at the Lake

Photos: PHOTO AC

Before checking into your hotel, we recommend stopping for afternoon tea or dinner while soaking in the relaxing atmosphere and scenic views of Lake Ashinoko. Here are a few suggestions:

• Togendai Port
  • Kotei (シチューとカレーの店 湖亭, Stew & Curry) – A specialty restaurant serving beef stew simmered slowly until melt-in-your-mouth tender, alongside curry finished with a blend of 14 spices.
  • Amimoto Ooba (網元おおば) – Enjoy seasonal fish dishes sourced fresh from Lake Ashinoko.
• Moto-Hakone Port
  • Unagi Hasegawa (うなぎ長谷川) – A specialty restaurant where you can savor the rich, natural flavor of perfectly grilled eel.
  • Hakone Hyakuyaku (箱根百薬) – A lunch spot known for its traditional tofu paired with an assortment of mushrooms, from a long-established Hakone establishment.
• Moto-Hakone Port (Afternoon Tea)
  • Hakone Cheese Terrace (箱根チーズテラス) – Cheesecake made with rich, fresh milk from local Minami-Hakone dairies.
  • Hakone Butter Sand SUN SAN D (箱根バターサンド SUN SAN D) – Butter sandwiches that capture the deep flavor and fluffy texture of premium butter.
  • Coffee & Vista HAKONE (3rd floor of Bakery&Table 箱根) – Carefully hand-dripped house-roasted and specialty coffees, best enjoyed while taking in the view of Lake Ashinoko and the slow, relaxed pace of resort life.

If you stay overnight at The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko, as we recommend, you can take advantage of the free shuttle bus connecting the hotel and Moto-Hakone. The shuttle stops at The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko (Annex Entrance), Hakone-en, Ryuguden Main Building, and Moto-Hakone. Be sure to check the latest schedule on the hotel's official website before your trip. On your way to catch the free shuttle, it's worth stopping by 7-Eleven for any last-minute essentials or snacks before settling into your lakeside stay.

The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko Shuttle Service

• From Moto-Hakone: 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30 (no reservation required)
• Hotel check-in starts at 15:00.
• Guests arriving early may leave their luggage at the hotel before check-in.

Seasonal notes: Hakone's scenery changes beautifully throughout the year. Spring and autumn are particularly spectacular.

Before you go: The Owakudani ropeway occasionally suspends operation in high wind or after volcanic activity alerts, so it's worth checking service status before this day. If the Owakudani ropeway is suspended, the Hakone Tozan Bus can substitute for parts of this route — check current conditions before departing

Time-Block Itinerary

Start: Mitsui Garden Hotel Gotanda
End: The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko

Transport Notes

• The Hakone Free Pass covers the Hakone Tozan Line, cable car, ropeway, and pirate ship, but not the Shinkansen leg from Tokyo to Odawara — budget for that separately.
• The Shinkansen Kodama service is the slower, all-stops option but is the most practical for this short Tokyo–Odawara hop; unreserved seats are usually fine outside peak travel dates.
• The Owakudani ropeway can be affected by weather or volcanic activity alerts; check its operational status before relying on this exact route.
• Coin lockers are available near the Open-Air Museum entrance for anyone still carrying luggage at this stage of the day.

Cost and Ticket Notes

• Hakone Free Pass: ¥6,000, adult (2-day validity); best purchased in advance via a 7-Eleven/7ticket kiosk or online through EMot Online Tickets.
• Shinkansen (Tokyo area to Odawara): around ¥3,410, adult, reserved.
• Hakone Open-Air Museum: ¥1,800, adult (web ticket).
• Gora Park: free with the Hakone Free Pass.
• Budget for: the Shinkansen fare, the Hakone Free Pass, museum admission, a café break, and dinner near Moto-Hakone Port.

This day pairs well with:

• Tokyo - Imperial Palace, Asakusa & Skytree — the day before, the last full day based in Tokyo
• Hakone - Lake Ashinoko & Shrine Day — the day after, staying at the same lakeside hotel