Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo: The Classic Loop and the Hakone Freepass
Hot springs, a pirate ship on Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji views, all in one day from Tokyo. How to do the classic Hakone loop, what the Hakone Freepass covers, and the ropeway closures to know about this winter.
Hakone is the easiest "big day out" from Tokyo. In one loop you ride a mountain train, a cable car, a ropeway over steaming volcanic vents, and a pirate ship across a lake, with Mt. Fuji in the background on a clear day.
This guide covers the classic loop, how to get there, and whether the Hakone Freepass is right for you.
Hakone Ropeway closures this winter
Parts of the Hakone Ropeway are closed for maintenance, with replacement buses running instead:
- Dec 7 – Dec 24, 2026: Owakudani ↔ Sounzan closed (bus about 10 min)
- Jan 12 – Feb 26, 2027: Togendai ↔ Ubako ↔ Owakudani closed (bus about 15 min)
The Hakone Freepass is valid on the replacement buses. Hakone Ropeway warns they can be very crowded, and recommends reaching Owakudani from the side that is still running.
The classic Hakone loop
Most visitors follow this loop, starting and ending at Hakone-Yumoto, the gateway station:
- Hakone Tozan Train – Hakone-Yumoto to Gora. A small mountain railway that zig-zags up the slope using switchbacks.
- Hakone Tozan Cable Car – Gora to Sounzan. A short, steep ride up the mountain.
- Hakone Ropeway – Sounzan to Owakudani to Togendai. Floats over the sulfur vents of Owakudani. Stop here for the famous black eggs boiled in the hot springs.
- Hakone Sightseeing Cruise – Togendai to Moto-Hakone or Hakone-machi across Lake Ashi, on a pirate-ship-style boat.
- Bus – back to Hakone-Yumoto.
You can also do it in reverse. Going in reverse can be quieter in the morning, because most tour groups go in the order above.
Where to look for Mt. Fuji
On a clear day, the best Fuji views are from the ropeway near Owakudani and from Lake Ashi around Moto-Hakone. Fuji hides behind clouds often, especially in summer. Mornings in late autumn and winter are your best bet.
Getting there from Tokyo
Hakone is reached from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Line.
| Option | Time to Hakone-Yumoto | Extra cost |
|---|---|---|
| Romancecar (limited express, reserved seat, big windows) | About 80 min, no change | ¥1,200 limited-express fee (adult, one way) |
| Regular Odakyu trains | About 2 hours, usually with a change at Odawara | None |
The Romancecar fee is not included in the Hakone Freepass, so add ¥1,200 each way if you want it. For a day trip, the time saved is often worth it. Reserve seats ahead on weekends and in autumn foliage season.
The Hakone Freepass
The Hakone Freepass is a 2-day or 3-day pass from Odakyu that covers eight kinds of transport in the Hakone area:
- Hakone Tozan Train
- Hakone Tozan Cable Car
- Hakone Ropeway
- Hakone Sightseeing Cruise
- Hakone Tozan Bus (designated areas)
- Odakyu Highway Bus (designated areas)
- Tokai Bus (designated areas)
- The "Kanko Shisetsu-meguri" sightseeing bus
The pass bought from Shinjuku also includes one round trip on the Odakyu Line between Shinjuku and Odawara. It also gets you discounts at around 70 sights, museums and onsen in Hakone.
Prices
| Pass | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| 2-day, from Shinjuku | ¥7,100 | ¥1,600 |
| 3-day, from Shinjuku | ¥7,500 | ¥1,850 |
| 2-day, from Odawara | ¥6,000 | ¥1,500 |
| 3-day, from Odawara | ¥6,400 | ¥1,750 |
Prices as of October 1, 2025 per Odakyu. Add ¥1,200 each way for the Romancecar.
Example: a day trip with the Romancecar both ways costs ¥7,100 + ¥1,200 + ¥1,200 = ¥9,500 per adult for all your transport from Shinjuku and around the loop.
Is the Freepass worth it for a day trip?
Even on a single day, the Freepass is usually the simplest choice if you do the full loop. One pass covers the round trip from Shinjuku plus every ride on the loop, so you do not need to buy a separate ticket at each stop. It gets better if you stay overnight, since the 2-day pass costs the same.
It is less worth it if you only plan to visit Hakone-Yumoto's hot springs and skip the loop. In that case, a regular ticket plus a Romancecar seat is enough.
Where to buy it
- Online (smartphone ticket): Odakyu's EMot Online Tickets. Sales open one month before your travel date.
- In person: Odakyu Line stations (including Shinjuku), Odakyu Travel counters, and Hakone Tozan ticket machines.
Buy the Hakone Freepass online (Odakyu EMot)
A sample day
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 8:00 | Romancecar from Shinjuku |
| 9:30 | Hakone-Yumoto, then Tozan Train up to Gora |
| 11:00 | Cable car and ropeway to Owakudani, black eggs and views |
| 13:00 | Ropeway down to Togendai, lunch by the lake |
| 14:30 | Pirate ship across Lake Ashi |
| 15:30 | Walk the cedar avenue or visit Hakone Shrine near Moto-Hakone |
| 16:30 | Bus back to Hakone-Yumoto, a quick onsen dip |
| 18:30 | Romancecar back to Shinjuku |
This is a rough plan, not a timetable. Check the current timetables on Hakone Navi before you go, and allow extra time on weekends when queues for the ropeway and ships can be long.
Tips
- Travel light. Leave big luggage in Tokyo or send it ahead with a luggage delivery service. Hakone-Yumoto also has coin lockers and luggage services.
- Check the operation status on Hakone Navi on the morning of your trip. Owakudani can close at short notice because of volcanic gas levels.
- Bring some cash for small shops and food stalls.
- Consider staying one night. A ryokan with an onsen turns a rushed day into a relaxed trip, and the 2-day pass costs the same.
Sources
Prices change
Prices, exchange rates and rules in this article were checked on the date shown above. They can change at any time, so please confirm on the official website before you book or buy.
