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Getting from Tokyo to Hakone is easy with multiple transportation options. This guide covers all methods including Shinkansen, Romancecar, highway bus, and local trains, with prices, travel times, and JR Pass information.
Quick Comparison
| Method | Time | Price | JR Pass | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen | 45 min | ¥4,000 | ✅ | Speed, JR Pass holders |
| Romancecar | 85 min | ¥2,000 | ❌ | Comfort, direct access |
| Highway Bus | 90 min | ¥1,800 | ❌ | Budget travelers |
| Local Train | 90 min | ¥1,200 | ✅ | Budget, JR Pass holders |
Shinkansen Route
Tokyo Station → Odawara Station → Hakone-Yumoto
Shinkansen Details
- Total Time: 45-60 minutes
- Total Cost: ¥4,000 (unreserved seat)
- JR Pass: ✅ Covered (Tokyo-Odawara)
- Frequency: Every 10-15 minutes
Shinkansen Step-by-Step
Tokyo Station → Odawara Station
- Shinkansen (Kodama, Hikari, Nozomi)
- 35 minutes
- ¥3,960 (covered by JR Pass)
Odawara Station → Hakone-Yumoto
- Hakone Tozan Railway
- 15 minutes
- ¥340 (not covered by JR Pass)
Shinkansen Pros
- ✅ Fastest option
- ✅ Covered by JR Pass
- ✅ Frequent departures
- ✅ Comfortable seats
Shinkansen Cons
- ❌ Most expensive (without JR Pass)
- ❌ Need to transfer at Odawara
- ❌ Nozomi not covered by JR Pass
Shinkansen Tips
- Reserve seats during peak season (autumn, New Year)
- Use JR Pass for best value
- Buy Hakone Free Pass at Odawara Station
Romancecar Route
Shinjuku Station → Hakone-Yumoto Station
Romancecar Details
- Total Time: 85 minutes
- Total Cost: ¥2,000 (reserved seat)
- JR Pass: ❌ Not covered
- Frequency: Every 30-60 minutes
Romancecar Step-by-Step
- Shinjuku Station → Hakone-Yumoto
- Odakyu Romancecar (direct)
- 85 minutes
- ¥1,990 (reserved seat)
- ¥1,230 (unreserved seat, some trains)
Romancecar Pros
- ✅ Direct (no transfers)
- ✅ Comfortable reserved seats
- ✅ Scenic route
- ✅ Luggage storage available
Romancecar Cons
- ❌ Not covered by JR Pass
- ❌ Slower than Shinkansen
- ❌ Need to reserve seats
Romancecar Tips
- Book online in advance (especially weekends)
- Choose "GSE" train for best views
- Arrive 10 min early for boarding
Highway Bus Route
Highway Bus Details
- Total Time: 90 minutes
- Total Cost: ¥1,800
- JR Pass: ❌ Not covered
- Frequency: Every 30-60 minutes
Highway Bus Step-by-Step
- Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal → Hakone-Yumoto
- Highway Bus (Odakyu Hakone Bus)
- 90 minutes
- ¥1,800
Highway Bus Pros
- ✅ Budget-friendly
- ✅ Direct (no transfers)
- ✅ Luggage storage
- ✅ Comfortable seats
Highway Bus Cons
- ❌ Slowest option
- ❌ Traffic delays possible
- ❌ Not covered by JR Pass
- ❌ Limited frequency
Highway Bus Tips
- Book online for guaranteed seat
- Avoid rush hour (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM)
- Check traffic before departure
Local Train Route
Tokyo/Shinjuku → Odawara → Hakone-Yumoto
Local Train Details
- Total Time: 90 minutes
- Total Cost: ¥1,200
- JR Pass: ✅ Covered (Tokyo-Odawara)
- Frequency: Every 10-15 minutes
Local Train Step-by-Step
Tokyo/Shinjuku → Odawara
- JR Tokaido Line (rapid)
- 60-75 minutes
- ¥840 (covered by JR Pass)
Odawara → Hakone-Yumoto
- Hakone Tozan Railway
- 15 minutes
- ¥340 (not covered by JR Pass)
Local Train Pros
- ✅ Cheapest option
- ✅ Covered by JR Pass (most)
- ✅ Frequent departures
- ✅ No reservation needed
Local Train Cons
- ❌ Slow (multiple stops)
- ❌ Can be crowded
- ❌ Need to transfer
- ❌ Less comfortable
Local Train Tips
- Use rapid trains (skip local trains)
- Avoid rush hour (very crowded)
- Sit near front (easier transfer)
What Is It?
Unlimited transportation in Hakone for 2-3 days
Where to Buy
| Location | Price (Adult) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku | ¥6,100 (2 days) | Round-trip + Hakone transport |
| Odawara | ¥5,140 (2 days) | Hakone transport only |
| Tokyo | ¥6,100 (2 days) | Round-trip + Hakone transport |
What's Included
- ✅ Round-trip from Tokyo (if bought at Shinjuku/Tokyo)
- ✅ Hakone Tozan Railway
- ✅ Cable Car & Ropeway
- ✅ Pirate Ships (Lake Ashi)
- ✅ Local Buses
- ✅ Discounts at 70+ facilities
Is It Worth It?
Yes, if you plan to:
- Visit 3+ attractions in Hakone
- Use multiple transportation types
- Stay 2+ days in Hakone
No, if you:
- Only visiting 1-2 attractions
- Have JR Pass (covers most transport)
- Day trip from Tokyo
From Tokyo Station
Best Option: Shinkansen (45 min, ¥4,000)
- Tokyo → Odawara (Shinkansen)
- Odawara → Hakone-Yumoto (Hakone Tozan Railway)
From Shinjuku Station
Best Option: Romancecar (85 min, ¥2,000)
- Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto (direct Romancecar)
From Shibuya Station
Best Option: Shinkansen (55 min, ¥4,000)
- Shibuya → Tokyo (JR Yamanote Line, 15 min)
- Tokyo → Odawara (Shinkansen, 35 min)
- Odawara → Hakone-Yumoto (Hakone Tozan Railway, 15 min)
From Ueno Station
Best Option: Shinkansen (50 min, ¥4,000)
- Ueno → Tokyo (JR Yamanote Line, 5 min)
- Tokyo → Odawara (Shinkansen, 35 min)
- Odawara → Hakone-Yumoto (Hakone Tozan Railway, 15 min)
Covered Routes
- ✅ Tokyo → Odawara (Shinkansen)
- ✅ Shinjuku → Odawara (JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line)
- ✅ Tokyo → Odawara (JR Tokaido Line)
Not Covered
- ❌ Romancecar (Odakyu Line)
- ❌ Highway Bus
- ❌ Hakone Tozan Railway (Odawara-Hakone-Yumoto)
- ❌ Hakone Free Pass transportation
Best Strategy with JR Pass
- Use JR Pass for Tokyo-Odawara
- Buy Hakone Free Pass at Odawara Station (¥5,140)
- Total Cost: ¥5,140 (2 days Hakone transport)
Luggage
- Shinkansen: Large luggage storage (reserve required)
- Romancecar: Luggage area available
- Bus: Under-bus storage
- Local Train: Overhead racks (limited space)
Peak Seasons
Avoid if possible:
- New Year (Dec 29 - Jan 3)
- Golden Week (Apr 29 - May 5)
- Autumn foliage (Nov)
- Weekends (especially Saturday morning)
Best Times to Travel
- Best: Tuesday-Thursday, 10:00-15:00
- Good: Monday, Friday (mid-day)
- Avoid: Saturday 7:00-10:00, Sunday 16:00-19:00
Booking in Advance
Reserve for:
- Shinkansen (peak season)
- Romancecar (always, especially weekends)
- Highway Bus (weekends, holidays) No reservation needed:
- Local Train (anytime)
- Shinkansen (off-peak, unreserved seats)
⏰ Best Time to Visit
Early morning (8-10 AM): Peaceful atmosphere, fewer crowds, perfect for photos Late afternoon (4-6 PM): beautiful lighting, local life, less crowded than midday
What I Recommend
- Don't rush: Take your time to explore the side streets and hidden spots
- Talk to locals: They often know the best hidden gems that aren't in guidebooks
- Try the local specialties: Each area has its own unique food and souvenirs
Things to Watch Out For
- Some shops close on weekdays or have irregular hours
- Parking can be challenging during peak seasons
- Cash is still king at many smaller establishments
Shonan Area
| Restaurant | Type | Official Website | Hours | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shonan Beach Cafe | Cafe | 🔗 Official Website | 8:00-20:00 (seasonal) | ¥1,000-2,500 |
Shonan Beach Cafe
- 🏷️ Type: Cafe
- 🌐 Official Website: https://shonan-beachcafe.com/
- 📞 Phone: +81-466-XX-XXXX
- ⏰ Hours: 8:00-20:00 (seasonal)
- 💰 Price: ¥1,000-2,500
- 📍 Area: Enoshima
- 📅 Reservation: Book a Table (recommended for weekends)
Best Times to Visit
- Lunch: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM (busiest, make reservations)
- Cafe: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (relaxed atmosphere)
- Dinner: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (popular spots fill up quickly)
Payment Methods
- Credit Cards: Widely accepted at major restaurants
- Cash: Still preferred at smaller establishments and ramen shops
- IC Cards (Suica/Pasmo): Accepted at chain restaurants and cafes
Dietary Requirements
- Vegetarian options: Limited but available at larger restaurants
- Halal: Very limited, check in advance
- Allergies: Most restaurants can accommodate with advance notice
Useful Apps
- Tabelog: Japan's largest restaurant review site (English available)
- Google Maps: Check reviews and hours
- Omakase: Restaurant reservations
Summary
| Traveler Type | Best Option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR Pass Holder | Shinkansen | ¥340* | 45 min |
| Budget Traveler | Local Train | ¥1,200 | 90 min |
| Comfort Seeker | Romancecar | ¥2,000 | 85 min |
| Speed Priority | Shinkansen | ¥4,000 | 45 min |
*Plus Hakone Tozan Railway (¥340) Recommended: For most tourists, the Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku (¥6,100) offers the best value, including round-trip transportation and unlimited travel within Hakone.
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Conclusion
How To Get To Hakone From Tokyo provides everything you need to make your Kanagawa trip smooth and enjoyable. With these tips in hand, you're ready to explore this beautiful region with confidence. Safe travels!
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