Hakone Pirate Ship Cruise: Is It Worth Doing?

The Hakone pirate ship is one of the most recognizable parts of a Hakone day trip. These large sightseeing boats cross Lake Ashi between the main piers around the lake, and they are built in an elaborate historic style that makes them look more like themed ships than ordinary ferries. For first-time visitors the question is simple: is the Hakone pirate ship worth doing, or is it just a touristy boat ride? For most people visiting Hakone for the first time, yes, it is worth doing. The scenery is only half the reason. The cruise is also practical transport: it connects the northern and southern sides of Lake Ashi and fits naturally into the classic Hakone sightseeing loop. The one guided day trip in our comparison that includes the fare is the H.I.S. Fuji and Hakone tour with a bullet-train return; the other shared tours charge the boat as an extra.

Two Hakone pirate ships moored at a Lake Ashi pier with mountains behind

What Is the Hakone Pirate Ship?

The Hakone pirate ship is the sightseeing boat service on Lake Ashi. It is run by Odakyu Hakone as the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise and links the three main piers on the lake: Togendai at the northern end, and Hakone-machi and Moto-Hakone at the southern end. Three ships work the route, the Queen Ashinoko, the Royal II and the Victory, each styled to resemble a historic European sailing vessel. The crossing between Togendai and the southern piers takes roughly 25 to 40 minutes depending on the route.

Is the Hakone Pirate Ship a Real Pirate Ship?

No. It is a modern sightseeing vessel with decorative historic styling, carrying several hundred passengers at a time. Think of it as a themed sightseeing cruise across Lake Ashi, not a replica you can climb around.

Is the Hakone Pirate Ship Worth It?

For a first trip, yes. The cruise gives you:

Lake Ashi views
possible Mount Fuji views
mountain scenery
easy transport across the lake
a direct link between the ropeway side of Hakone and the Hakone Shrine side

If you are already traveling through Hakone, the cruise helps you complete the loop. Our Lake Ashi guide covers the lake itself; this page is about the boat.

Best Route for the Hakone Pirate Ship

A classic sequence is:

Owakudani → Hakone Ropeway → Togendai → pirate ship across Lake Ashi → Moto-Hakone / Hakone-machi

From there, you can continue toward Hakone Shrine.

Where Does the Hakone Pirate Ship Leave From?

The main boarding point for day-trippers is Togendai, on the northern side of Lake Ashi. The Hakone Ropeway ends at Togendai, so visitors arriving from Owakudani walk straight from the ropeway station to the pier. Boats also sail from Hakone-machi and Moto-Hakone at the southern end, which matters if you reach the lake by bus instead.

Which Direction Should You Take the Cruise?

For most visitors doing the classic loop from Tokyo:

Togendai → southern Lake Ashi

This works well because you can ride the ropeway to Togendai, board the cruise, cross Lake Ashi, visit Hakone Shrine and return toward Hakone-Yumoto by bus.

How Long Is the Hakone Pirate Ship Ride?

The operator puts the crossing between Togendai and the southern piers at about 25 to 40 minutes, depending on which pier the boat calls at first. The short hop between Hakone-machi and Moto-Hakone is a few minutes. For day-trip planning, think of the cruise as one section of your Hakone transport loop, not a long standalone excursion, and allow time for waiting, boarding, getting off and walking onward after arrival. Our one-day Hakone itinerary sets aside an hour for the crossing and the queue either side of it.

How Much Does the Hakone Pirate Ship Cost?

Since 1 October 2025 the one-way adult fare from Togendai to either southern pier is ¥1,700 (¥850 for primary-school children), and a round trip is ¥3,000 (¥1,300). The short leg between Hakone-machi and Moto-Hakone is ¥600 one way. Each ship also has a special cabin available for a surcharge. Guided tours price the boat differently: the H.I.S. Fuji and Hakone tour includes the cruise ticket, while the TAIHOU shared sightseeing tour and the Clover Travel day trip include a one-way ropeway ticket but ask you to pay for the boat on the day. Our cruise and ropeway comparison sets those packages side by side.

Can You See Mount Fuji From the Hakone Pirate Ship?

Yes, when visibility is good. Lake Ashi is one of Hakone’s classic Mount Fuji viewing areas, and being out on the water gives you an open view across the surrounding landscape. Mount Fuji is not guaranteed, though. Cloud hides it on many days, so plan the crossing for the lake and treat the mountain as a bonus.

Where Is the Best Place to Sit?

Outside deck

Best for:

photographs
open views
feeling the lake breeze

Inside

Best for:

cold weather
rain
families with small children
a more comfortable ride

If the weather is good, spend at least part of the journey outside.

Is the Hakone Pirate Ship Included in the Hakone Freepass?

Yes. The Hakone Sightseeing Cruise is one of the eight transport services covered by the Hakone Freepass, alongside the ropeway, the Tozan railway, the cable car and the local buses. That is one reason the pass works so well for the classic sightseeing route. Our Hakone Freepass guide works out when the pass pays for itself.

Can You Buy a Separate Pirate Ship Ticket?

Yes. You do not need the Hakone Freepass just to take the cruise; single and round-trip tickets are sold at the piers. Separate tickets make sense if you are only visiting Lake Ashi, staying nearby or not doing the full Hakone loop.

Is the Cruise Good for Children?

Yes. This is one of the strongest family-friendly experiences in Hakone. The ship design makes the journey more interesting for children than a standard ferry, and the covered cabins give you somewhere to retreat if the wind on deck is too much. Our Hakone with kids guide covers how the rest of a family day fits around it.

Is the Hakone Pirate Ship Too Touristy?

It is definitely a tourist attraction. The key distinction is that it is also genuinely useful transport. If the ship only sailed in circles for photos, it would be easier to dismiss as a gimmick. Instead, it carries you across Lake Ashi to your next sightseeing area.

Hakone Pirate Ship vs Regular Bus

You can move around Lake Ashi by road instead. If the cruise is operating and the weather is reasonable, though, I would normally choose the ship for a first visit. The bus is more functional. The ship is part of the experience.

Hakone Pirate Ship vs Ropeway

Do both if possible. They fit together naturally:

Ropeway → Togendai → pirate ship

The ropeway gives you mountain and volcanic scenery. The cruise gives you lake scenery. Our Hakone Ropeway guide covers the ride down to Togendai.

Hakone Pirate Ship vs Lake Ashi Cruise

These are the same sightseeing experience in common travel planning. “Pirate ship” is the everyday name for the distinctive vessels used on the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, and the operator uses both names. A separate company runs plainer motor boats on the lake from different piers; those are not what people mean by the pirate ship.

Can You Do the Pirate Ship Without Visiting Owakudani?

Yes. You can reach Lake Ashi by bus and take the cruise without using the ropeway. For a first visit, combining both is more rewarding.

What Should You Do After the Cruise?

For most first-time visitors:

Hakone Shrine

This gives you a strong afternoon sequence:

Lake Ashi cruise → lakeside walk → Hakone Shrine → torii gate

The shrine is about ten minutes’ walk from Moto-Hakone pier. Our Hakone Shrine guide covers what to see once you are there.

What Should You Do Before the Cruise?

The most natural previous stop is Owakudani. The route becomes:

Gora → Sounzan → Owakudani → Togendai → pirate ship

Is the Cruise Worth It in Bad Weather?

It depends. Light rain or cloud does not necessarily ruin the experience, but poor weather reduces Mount Fuji visibility, outdoor deck appeal and photography. Strong wind can suspend the service altogether, so check the operator’s status page on the morning of your trip.

Is the Hakone Pirate Ship Good in Winter?

Yes. Winter can offer crisp views and a better chance of seeing Mount Fuji in clear conditions. Dress warmly, especially for the open deck.

Is It Good in Fall?

Yes. Fall is one of the most scenic seasons around Lake Ashi. It is also a popular period, so expect more visitors and longer queues at the piers.

What if the Pirate Ship Is Not Running?

You can still continue your Hakone day trip using buses around the lake and adjusting your route. The cruise is a highlight, but it is not the only reason to visit Hakone. The TAIHOU tour, for example, offers a vehicle transfer to Togendai for guests who skip the boat.

Can You Do a Round Trip?

Yes, but for a one-day Hakone itinerary I generally would not. A one-way cruise is more useful because it moves you onward through the loop, and a round trip costs almost twice as much.

Best Hakone Pirate Ship Itinerary

For first-time visitors from Tokyo:

Morning: Tokyo → Hakone-Yumoto → Gora

Late morning: Sounzan → Hakone Ropeway → Owakudani

Early afternoon: Owakudani → Togendai

Afternoon: Hakone pirate ship across Lake Ashi

Later afternoon: Hakone Shrine → torii gate

Evening: Return to Hakone-Yumoto → Tokyo

Our Tokyo to Hakone transport guide compares the ways of covering the first and last legs.

Final Verdict: Is the Hakone Pirate Ship Worth It?

Yes. It earns its place because it turns a necessary journey across Lake Ashi into part of the sightseeing experience. Ride the ropeway down to Togendai. Board the ship. Cross the lake. Then continue toward Hakone Shrine. That is one of the smoothest and most enjoyable sections of a Hakone day trip.