Can I use JR Pass to go to Hakone?

Yes, you can use the JR Rail pass to get to the Hakone area. The JR Rail Pass can be used on JR Trains and the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) only. You can get to Odawara Station using your JR Rail pass, but from there you will need to pay for transportation separately.



The Japan Rail (JR) Pass is a powerful tool, but it only covers a portion of the journey to Hakone, and it is not valid for travel within the Hakone region itself. To use your JR Pass effectively, you should take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo or Shinagawa Station to Odawara Station. This leg of the trip is fully covered and takes only about 30 to 40 minutes. However, once you arrive at Odawara, the JR network ends and the Odakyu Railway takes over. To get from Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto and to use the various mountain trains, cable cars, ropeways, and pirate ships that make Hakone famous, you will need to pay separate fares or purchase a Hakone Free Pass. Many travelers find it most convenient to buy the "Odawara version" of the Hakone Free Pass upon arrival at Odawara Station, which covers all local transport for 2 or 3 days. While the "Romancecar" express train from Shinjuku is a popular direct option, it is not covered by the JR Pass at all. Therefore, the most cost-effective "hybrid" strategy for JR Pass holders is to use the Shinkansen to Odawara and then switch to local tickets or the regional pass to explore the volcanic valley and views of Mount Fuji.

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Validity. The pass is valid on almost all trains operated on the nationwide network of JR (Japan Railways), including shinkansen, limited express, rapid and local trains. The map below shows the major train lines that are covered by the pass.

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The Suica card can be used in the majority of Japanese public transport: subways, buses and all local trains, as well as in buses and taxis displaying the Suica logo. Please note that the Suica card does not work on express trains, shinkansen, highway buses or airport shuttles.

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For a limited time only, you can buy a Japan Rail Pass from certain train stations and airports in Japan. Travelers should be aware it is more expensive to buy a JR Pass in Japan than to purchase the pass online.

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The Japan Rail Pass gives you access to JR train lines countrywide, with very few exceptions. With your pass, you can take unlimited rides on most shinkansen (bullet trains), as well as on rapid, express and local JR trains.

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If you are traveling to multiple cities in Japan and plan on using the bullet train (Shinkansen) or other long-distance trains (local, express or limited-express trains), then the JR Pass can be a cost-effective option.

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The Japan Rail Pass is valid only on a portion of the travel from Tokyo to Mount Fuji. At Shinjuku Station, take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station. This leg takes around 1 hour, and is covered by your JR Pass. At Otsuki Station, you must transfer to the Fujikyu Railway Line to reach Kawaguchiko Station.

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Many splendid views of Mt. Fuji can be found around the Hakone area. Each viewpoint shows a different profile of the famous mountain and the surrounding areas are also worth exploring for the diverse historical and natural sites.

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If you don't have a pass, then you can take a regular train to the Hakone-Yumoto station, the main station in Hakone. Though many people visit Japan to experience the bustling streets of Tokyo, many other popular destinations come at a slower pace.

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The JR pass is only worth it if you travel through different cities, if you are just travelling to Tokyo to Kyoto for example, I would just pay on the Suica. You can do the online calculator or just use google to calculate which trip is easier - paying individually on Suica or getting a JR Pass.

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Each person will need their own JR Pass.

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While the metro lines do no accept the JR Pass, other IC Cards, such as the Pasmo and Suica, may be used. These cards give you access to almost any train or bus in Tokyo, and are a perfect complement to the JR Pass.

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Hakone is a short train ride from Tokyo, but feels like a world away. The fastest way to reach Hakone is to take the Shinkansen to Odawara Station and then the short 15 minutes train ride to Hakone Yumoto at the base of the Hakone mountains.

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