The one-way fare starts from ¥3600 for unreserved seating, but with a Japan Rail Pass you need only to pay ¥320 for the Hakone-Tozan line - easily done with a Suica or PASMO card (Limited Express trains require an extra ¥200 surcharge). With a good connection, the trip takes one hour.

Yes, you can use Suica (and other IC cards like Pasmo, Icoca) in Hakone, but with important limitations.

Hakone’s primary transportation network, the Hakone Tozan Railway and affiliated buses, boats, and ropeways, are operated by Odakyu Group. While IC cards are widely accepted in major Japanese cities, Hakone’s system is a bit more fragmented.

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Where Suica CAN be used:

1. Odakyu Hakone Highway Buses: IC cards are accepted on most highway buses running between Tokyo/Shibuya/Shinjuku and Hakone.
2. Local Buses (within Hakone): Many, but not all, local buses operated by Odakyu Hakone Bus now accept IC cards. Look for the IC card reader next to the driver. However, some older or more remote route buses might not.
3. Hakone Tozan Railway (Mountain Train): Yes, IC cards are accepted for the entire line between Hakone-Yumoto and Gora.
4. Hakone Ropeway: Yes, IC cards are accepted for travel between Sounzan, Owakudani, and Togendai.
5. Hakone Sightseeing Cruise (Pirate Ships): Yes, IC cards are accepted for the boat trips on Lake Ashi.
6. Hakone Tozan Cable Car (between Gora and Sounzan): Yes, IC cards are accepted.
7. Purchases: At convenience stores, vending