Trains to Hakone

Trains to Hakone

Hakone is one of the most beloved resort areas in Japan, located about 80 km south of Tokyo. This geographical advantage makes Hakone an ideal destination for a day trip from the capital. Although you can drive there through winding, narrow mountain roads, catching a train to Hakone is definitely the easiest and stress-free way to arrive.

Let’s book the trains to Hakone and explore further into the Kansai region to Kyoto, Osaka, or gaze at Mt. Fuji from Hakone before heading north to Hokkaido or south to Kyushu.

Tokyo to Hakone / Hakone to Tokyo

There are three types of trains you can take, depending on your travel style. The most popular one is the Odakyu Romancecar, a direct express car, specifically designed to connect the Kanto region's capital to Hakone. Taking the Odakyu Romancecar is easy and fast, letting you enjoy the ride itself, with great views of nature through wide windows while seated in spacious, comfortable seats.

The train will take you to the Hakone-Yumoto Station, which is the gateway to the Mt. Hakone area. From there, you can get on the Hakone Tozan railway, the mountain train, to aim higher up.

Once you reach the Gora Station, you can hop on the cable car to Souunzan Station, then on the ropeway to Lake Ashino, where you can get on the pirate ship.

If you’re a Japan Rail Pass holder, taking the Shinkansen bullet train is not just fast but can also be cheaper, as it’s included in the pass. Take a Tokyo to Hakone Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Odawara Station, then transfer to the Hakone Tozan railway to Hakone-Yumoto Station, which requires an additional fee. This is often the preferred choice for those asking how to get to Hakone from Tokyo efficiently.

Last but not least, taking the local train is the most budget-friendly option. A Tokyo to Hakone train on the local lines takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, and you can buy the tickets from 1260 yen. A return Hakone to Tokyo trip on a local train operates similarly. If you are starting from other hubs, you can also easily route a Shinjuku to Hakone trip.

Odakyu Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto

• Duration: ~85–90 minutes
• Price: ~¥2,400–¥2,500
• Notes: A direct Romancecar to Hakone from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, no transfers.

Shinkansen, then Hakone Tozan Railway to Hakone-Yumoto

• Duration: ~90 minutes (Tokyo to Hakone travel time)
• Price: ~¥3,500–¥4,500
• Notes: Tokyo → Odawara by Tokyo to Hakone bullet train, then Hakone Tozan Railway.

Local Odakyu train (Budget option)

• Duration: ~2–2.5 hours
• Price: ¥1,260～

Kyoto to Hakone / Hakone to Kyoto

The Shinkansen bullet train connects Hakone and Kyoto. If you're looking for a Kyoto to Hakone trip, take a Shinkansen train from Kyoto Station to Odawara Station. Shinkansen Nozomi doesn’t stop at Odawara Station, so take Hikari or Kodama instead.

Once you arrive, take the Hakone Tozan Railway to get to Hakone-Yumoto, the gateway to the Hakone area. The Hakone to Kyoto bullet train (Hikari and Kodama) is fully covered by the JR Pass. Taking a Hakone to Kyoto train is a popular choice to connect these iconic destinations.

Shinkansen (Hikari or Kodama) + Hakone Tozan Railway

• Duration: ~2 hours 15 minutes – 2.5 hours
• Price: ~¥11,000–¥13,000

Osaka to Hakone / Hakone to Osaka

You can easily go to Hakone from Osaka with the Shinkansen bullet train. It takes about 2.5 hours to get to Hakone Yumoto Station from Shin-Osaka Station via Odawara Station on an Osaka to Hakone train. You’ll need to take either the Hikari or Kodama Shinkansen express to Odawara Station, then change to the Hakone Tozan Railway. A Hakone to Osaka bullet train offers a rapid and comfortable return journey.

Shinkansen + Hakone Tozan Railway

• Duration: ~2.5–3 hours
• Price: ~¥12,000–¥14,000

Hakone to Mt. Fuji (Kawaguchiko area)

Hakone offers a stunning view of Mt. Fuji, but if you want to get closer to Japan's highest mountain, you can easily reach it by train. Get to Hachioji from Hakone-Yumoto and transfer to the Fuji Excursion train for the perfect Hakone to Mt Fuji trip.

Local Train + Fuji Excursion Train

• Route: Hakone-Yumoto → Hachioji → Kawaguchiko. Connecting Hakone to Kawaguchiko is easy.
• Duration: ~2.5–3.5 hours
• Price: ~¥2,500–¥4,000

Hakone to Takayama & Other Destinations

Surrounded by deep forests, Takayama has preserved its historic streets and architecture for centuries. Almost fairytale-like traditional houses in Hida-no-sato offer you a glimpse of life in the olden days. The most common way to get from Hakone to Takayama is to take the Shinkansen and the Limited Express via Nagoya.

Shinkansen + Limited Express (via Nagoya)

• Route: Odawara → Nagoya (Shinkansen) → Takayama (Hida Limited Express)
• Duration: ~4.5–5 hours
• Price: ~¥14,000–¥16,000

For those looking to explore the deeper historic south, catching a train to Hiroshima to explore Hiroshima is entirely possible via the bullet train network. Alternatively, you can head north to explore the Chubu and Tohoku regions via rail.

Extending Your Journey To see the absolute best of the country, make use of Japan's extensive network of trains in Japan and highway buses. Many vacationers choose to travel during the iconic cherry blossom season, or plan their visit for early summer or autumn when the countryside is vibrant. You can easily catch trains to Tokyo, trains to Osaka, or trains to Kyoto to maximize your itineraries across regions. For longer distances, including visits to the serene waters of Setouchi or distant islands like Okinawa, consider domestic flights or seamless airport transfers. For slower scenic routes, consider Willer Express buses.

FAQs on Trains to Hakone