Hakone Travel Guide

Best known for being an onsen town, Hakone is situated in the mountainous portion of Kanagawa Prefecture.

Access

If you are coming from Tokyo, the fastest option is to take the Kodama train on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line to Odawara, then transfer to the Odakyu Railway train on the Hakone-Tozan Line and get off at Hakone-Yumoto. The one-way journey takes about an hour and a half.

Alternatively, you may opt to board a regular train to Odawara from Tokyo or Shinjuku Station for an hour and a half journey, and then get on the Odakyu Railway train to Hakone-Yumoto for an additional half an hour.

For those coming from Kyoto, Nagoya, Osaka, and other cities, going to Odawara and then transferring to the Hakone-Tozan Line is the best option available.

Getting around

Once in Hakone, tourists can choose among the following transportation options to fully experience the natural scenic beauty of the place:

Hakone-Tozan Cablecar

The Hakone-Tozan Cablecar takes you on a breathtaking ride from Gora to Sounzan, offering majestic views of Mount Myojyogatake and Mount Kami, the Hakone Gora Park, the Hakone Museum of Art, and several other magnificent sights.

Hakone Ropeway

Hakone Ropeway consists of cable cars with large windows that enable the passengers to get a clear look at the thriving forests of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the striking Mount Fuji, and the glorious Lake Ashi.

Hakone Sightseeing Cruise Ship

For a tour around the lake and attractions nearby, the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise is a must-do. It stops at various onsen, historical landmarks, and museums along the way. While aboard, passengers may catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji, especially if the weather is cooperating.

(TIP: Purchase a Hakone Free Pass to make the most of these modes of transport while in Hakone. With the pass, you are able to hop on and off the trains, buses, cable cars and boats as many times as you want in a span of two days or three days.)