Tokyo to Hakone train with JR Central

Information about the Tokyo to Hakone train route

The train from Tokyo to Hakone is one of the most rewarding short journeys you can make from the Japanese capital. Connecting Tokyo Station (1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005) with Hakone-Yumoto Station (707-1 Yumoto Shiraishishita, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture 250-0311), this route takes travelers from one of the world's busiest cities to a mountainous resort region famous for its hot springs, volcanic scenery, and views of Mount Fuji.

Unlike many Shinkansen routes in Japan, the Tokyo to Hakone by train journey is not a single direct bullet train ride. The most common approach involves taking the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara Station, then transferring to the Hakone Tozan Railway, a charming narrow-gauge mountain railway that winds up through cedar forests and traditional villages before arriving at Hakone-Yumoto. This combination makes the journey itself a genuine part of the Hakone experience.

Alternatively, travelers departing from Shinjuku Station can take the Odakyu Romancecar, a limited express service that runs directly to Hakone-Yumoto without requiring a transfer at Odawara. This is a popular and comfortable option, particularly for those already based in western Tokyo.

For those specifically asking about the tokyo to hakone bullet train, the Shinkansen leg covers the Tokyo–Odawara section, with Odawara serving as the gateway station to the Hakone region. It is worth knowing that the Shinkansen does not continue to Hakone-Yumoto itself, so the transfer at Odawara is always required when traveling via this route.

We recommend using the JR Pass for traveling in trains all around Japan to save more money if you plan to do many trips. You can check the correct prices for every station or shinkansen connection in Omio's JR Pass information.

Tokyo to Hakone by train: what to expect on board

Traveling toward Hakone offers two quite different on-board experiences depending on the route you choose, and both have their own appeal.

On the Shinkansen to Odawara

The Tokaido Shinkansen departs from Tokyo Station's dedicated Shinkansen platforms (tracks 14–19), which are clearly marked in English throughout the station. The ride to Odawara is smooth, fast, and comfortable, a brief but polished taste of Japan's famous high-speed rail network.

• Seating: Standard reserved and unreserved seats are comfortable for this short leg of the journey. The Green Car (first class) is available but rarely necessary given the relatively brief time on board.
• Best seats for the view: Keep an eye to the right-hand side of the train (D or E window seats) when departing Tokyo. On clear days, particularly between October and February, you may catch an early glimpse of Mount Fuji as the train clears the urban sprawl of Greater Tokyo, a fitting preview of the scenery ahead.

On the Hakone Tozan Railway

Once you transfer at Odawara, the character of the journey changes completely. The Hakone Tozan Railway is one of Japan's steepest mountain railways, climbing through lush woodland using a series of switchbacks, a technique where the train reverses direction multiple times to gain altitude gradually. It is a slow, atmospheric ride that feels worlds away from the Shinkansen.

• Best seats: Sit on the left-hand side of the train when heading up toward Hakone-Yumoto for views across the wooded hillsides and the occasional glimpse of seasonal flowers.
• Seasonal highlights on board: In June and July, the slopes along the Hakone Tozan line are covered in blooming hydrangeas, making this one of the most visually striking train rides in the Kanto region. Many travelers time their visit specifically for this display.

Best time of year to travel

• Spring (late March to early May): Cherry blossoms appear throughout the Hakone area and along the Tozan railway line. It is a busy period, so booking in advance is strongly advisable.
• Early summer (June to July): The hydrangea season along the Hakone Tozan Railway is a genuine highlight and largely unknown to first-time visitors, a real hidden gem on this route.
• Autumn (October to November): Autumn foliage transforms the mountainsides around Hakone into vivid shades of red and orange. Clear skies also bring excellent Mount Fuji visibility.
• Winter (December to February): Quieter crowds, crisp air, and the highest chance of sharp, snow-capped Mount Fuji views. Hakone's hot spring baths are especially inviting in colder months.
• Summer (July to August): Popular with domestic tourists escaping the city heat, but humidity can be high. Book accommodation early during this period.

Getting to Hakone and beyond

Hakone-Yumoto Station sits at the heart of the broader Hakone resort area and acts as the starting point for exploring the region's many attractions using the Hakone Freepass network, a multi-day pass covering most local transport, including the Hakone Tozan Ropeway, the Hakone Open-Air Museum, Lake Ashi cruise boats, and local buses.

Within Hakone

From Hakone-Yumoto, the Hakone Tozan Railway continues further up the mountain toward Gora, where travelers can switch to the Hakone Tozan Cable Car and then the Owakudani Ropeway, passing over the volcanic Owakudani valley, one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Kanto region. The ropeway continues to Togendai on the shores of Lake Ashi, where sightseeing boats cross to Moto-Hakone and Hakone-machi, offering iconic views of Mount Fuji reflected in the water on clear days.

Local buses operated by Hakone Tozan Bus connect most areas of the park not served by rail or ropeway, making it straightforward to piece together a full day or two of exploration without needing a car.

Onward connections

• Odawara, a quick return trip on the Hakone Tozan Railway opens up connections to the broader Tokaido Shinkansen network, including westward travel to Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima.
• Atami, a popular hot spring resort town on Sagami Bay, easily reached from Odawara by Shinkansen and worth combining with a Hakone visit.
• Kamakura, roughly 40 minutes from Odawara by JR Tokaido Line, offering the Great Buddha and coastal scenery as a natural pairing with Hakone on a wider Kanagawa itinerary.

If you are traveling on a JR Pass, the pass covers the Shinkansen leg to Odawara, making that part of the journey straightforward to combine with other destinations along the Tokaido corridor.

What to expect when you arrive in Hakone

Arriving at Hakone-Yumoto Station is a genuinely pleasant experience. The station building is small and welcoming, with a traditional aesthetic that signals immediately that you have left the metropolitan pace of Tokyo behind. The surrounding area, known as Yumoto, is Hakone's oldest hot spring district, with the Hayakawa River running alongside the main street and ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) lining the valley on both sides.

Practical information at the station

• Tourist information: A visitor information counter is located inside the station building, with English-language maps and leaflets covering the full Hakone area. Staff can assist with transport options, accommodation directions, and Hakone Freepass purchases.
• Luggage storage: Coin lockers are available at Hakone-Yumoto Station for day bags and smaller luggage. For larger suitcases, luggage forwarding services can deliver bags directly to your accommodation, particularly useful if you plan to continue exploring on foot or by ropeway before checking in.
• Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi is available at the station and in most nearby accommodation. Convenience stores close to the station provide ATM access for international cards.

Arriving in Hakone for the first time

Hakone rewards those who slow down. Unlike a city destination, the area is spread across a wide volcanic landscape, and the journey between attractions is often as memorable as the attractions themselves. First-time visitors are best served by planning their route around the circular loop of transport options, Tozan Railway, cable car, ropeway, lake boat, and bus, moving through the park in one direction rather than doubling back.

The Hakone Open-Air Museum, visible from the Hakone Tozan Railway just before Chokoku-no-Mori Station, is an excellent early stop. The volcanic Owakudani area, where sulfurous steam vents from the hillside and vendors sell the famous black eggs boiled in volcanic water, is one of Hakone's most iconic sights and lies further up the ropeway line. On clear mornings, Lake Ashi offers what many consider the definitive Mount Fuji photograph, the symmetrical cone reflected in the still water with a traditional torii gate in the foreground.

For those planning to stay overnight, Hakone-Yumoto's ryokan district is the most accessible base, with many properties offering private or communal hot spring baths fed by the area's natural geothermal waters, one of the most memorable ways to end a day of exploring.