Tokyo to Hakone Train: Price, Times and Best Route

How Long Does It Take From Tokyo to Hakone?

From Shinjuku, the Romancecar takes about 80 minutes to Hakone-Yumoto, according to Odakyu. Regular Odakyu trains take about two hours on the same journey.

From Tokyo Station, the Shinkansen reaches Odawara quickly, but you then continue into Hakone on local transport. When you compare times, count more than the first train: add the trip to your departure station and the change at Odawara, then compare the whole journey to the place you want to reach.

Romancecar Price: Fare Plus Limited-Express Fee

A Romancecar ticket has two parts: the regular Odakyu fare (¥1,270 from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto) and the limited-express fee (¥1,200). Every seat is reserved, so you cannot ride without the fee.

For the extra ¥1,200 you get a reserved seat, a direct train and no change at Odawara. On a one-day trip, that usually buys you more time in Hakone than the money would buy anywhere else, which is why we suggest it to first-time visitors.

If you hold a Hakone Freepass bought in Shinjuku, the ¥1,270 fare is already covered and you pay only the ¥1,200 fee. Think of the pass as your base transport and the Romancecar ticket as the reserved-seat upgrade.

Should you buy Romancecar tickets in advance?

Yes, for weekends, public holidays, the fall foliage season and the popular morning departures. The early trains fill first, and those are the ones a day-tripper wants.

Cheapest Way From Tokyo to Hakone

Regular Odakyu trains from Shinjuku are the budget option at ¥1,270 one way, ¥2,540 for the round trip. You save ¥1,200 each way against the Romancecar, and you usually change at Odawara for the last stretch to Hakone-Yumoto.

This route suits you if money matters most, you do not mind changing trains and you are not in a hurry. For a day trip we would still pay for the Romancecar, because the hour you lose on the slow train comes off your time in Hakone.

If you plan to ride the mountain railway, cable car, ropeway, Lake Ashi boat and buses, compare the cost of single tickets with the Freepass below.

Fastest Way From Tokyo to Hakone

The fastest route depends on where you start.

From Tokyo Station or Shinagawa

Take the Shinkansen to Odawara, about half an hour, then the Hakone Tozan Line up to Hakone-Yumoto. This is the quicker choice from Marunouchi, Ginza, Nihombashi and southern Tokyo, where reaching Shinjuku first costs you time. There is no Shinkansen to Hakone-Yumoto itself. Our guide to the Tokyo to Hakone bullet train route covers which trains stop at Odawara and what the JR Pass covers.

From Shinjuku

The direct Romancecar is the most practical. The train that looks fastest on paper is not always the fastest door to door.

Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto and On to Gora

Odawara is the main rail interchange for Hakone. From there, the Hakone Tozan Line runs to Hakone-Yumoto, and buses run toward other parts of Hakone.

You do not always need to go through Hakone-Yumoto. If you are heading for Lake Ashi, Moto-Hakone or Togendai, a bus from Odawara can make more sense. For the classic first-time loop, Hakone-Yumoto is the natural gateway, and from there you continue to Gora and on toward Sounzan → Owakudani → Togendai.

Which Hakone Freepass to Buy: Shinjuku or Odawara

Hakone Navi lists these prices (checked 28 October 2026):

The Shinjuku version covers one Odakyu return trip from your departure station to Odawara and on to Hakone-Yumoto, plus transport around Hakone. The Romancecar fee is extra in both cases.

What that means for your trip:

• Starting in Shinjuku: buy the Shinjuku pass. It costs ¥1,100 more than the Odawara version, and the Odakyu return trip it adds would cost you ¥2,540 at the regular fare.
• Arriving by Shinkansen: buy the Odawara pass, because you will not use the Odakyu leg.
• Only going to Hakone-Yumoto for an onsen: skip the pass. A regular return ticket costs ¥2,540, far less than the pass.

The Shinjuku pass pays off once your Hakone transport would cost more than about ¥4,560 in single tickets (¥7,100 minus the ¥2,540 rail return). The full loop by mountain railway, cable car, ropeway, boat and bus usually gets you there; our Hakone Freepass guide does the sums stop by stop.

Best Route for a Hakone Day Trip

For most visitors, the loop runs:

Shinjuku → Hakone-Yumoto → Gora → Owakudani → Lake Ashi → Hakone Shrine → Hakone-Yumoto → Shinjuku

Aim to reach Hakone around 9:00 AM. That gives you time for Gora, the ropeway, Owakudani, Lake Ashi and Hakone Shrine without rushing. Our one-day Hakone itinerary times each stage.

Return train

For a simple day trip, go back the way you came: the Romancecar from Hakone-Yumoto to Shinjuku, or Hakone → Odawara → Tokyo if you came by Shinkansen.

If you are staying near Tokyo Station

Use Tokyo Station → Odawara → Hakone, then continue around Hakone on local transport.

If you are continuing to Kyoto

Use Tokyo → Hakone → Odawara → Kyoto. That saves you the trip back to Tokyo.

Train Costs vs a Guided Tour

Independent transport costs less than a private tour and often less than a group tour. A group tour includes transport from Tokyo, several sights and a guide, sometimes lunch and sometimes a Shinkansen return, as on the H.I.S. Fuji and Hakone tour with a bullet-train return (from $115 per person, 4.2/5 from 1,787 reviews), so compare the whole package against your fares plus tickets.

For Hakone alone, a tour is not easier than the train. The rail and bus network is straightforward. For Mt Fuji and Hakone in one day, a tour makes more sense, because public transport between the two areas is slow. The Tokyo: Mt. Fuji Tour, Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani, Lake Ashi (from $54 per person, 4.6/5 from 8,523 reviews) covers both by coach. If you want the Lake Ashi cruise included, the Clover Travel ropeway and cruise tour (from $49 per person, 4.8/5 from 1,187 reviews) is the alternative. Our guide to choosing a Hakone tour compares the rest.

Tokyo to Hakone With Children or Luggage

With children, the Romancecar is the easiest choice: a reserved seat is less stressful than a busy commuter train, and the fee is ¥600 per child.

With luggage, avoid carrying large bags around Hakone. The loop involves several changes. If Hakone is an overnight stop between Tokyo and Kyoto, forward your suitcase to your next hotel or use station storage.

Common Mistakes

Going to Tokyo Station when you are staying near Shinjuku

The Romancecar is easier from Shinjuku.

Going to Shinjuku when you are staying beside Tokyo Station

The Shinkansen to Odawara usually makes more sense.

Assuming the bullet train reaches Hakone-Yumoto

It stops at Odawara.

Forgetting the Romancecar fee

The Hakone Freepass covers the fare, not the ¥1,200 fee.

Leaving Tokyo too late

A Hakone day needs an early start.

Choosing Your Route

Most of the choice comes down to where you are staying:

• Near Shinjuku: take the Romancecar, ¥2,470 and about 80 minutes.
• Near Tokyo Station or Shinagawa: take the Shinkansen to Odawara.
• On the lowest budget: take regular Odakyu trains at ¥1,270 and allow about two hours.

For most first-time visitors, the direct Romancecar gives the best mix of speed, simplicity and comfort. Check fares before you travel, because operators revise them.