Can you get around Hakone without a car?

An easy loop tour you can follow through Hakone includes various forms of unique transportation: Starting out by train from Tokyo, you switch to a small three-car tram that zigzags up the mountain, then change to a cable car, and then to a smaller ropeway, and end your trip with a boat ride across Lake Ashi, stopping ...



Yes, Hakone is one of the most accessible areas in Japan to explore without a car, thanks to its highly integrated "Hakone Round Course" transportation network. The system includes the Hakone Tozan Railway (Japan's oldest mountain railway), a funicular cable car, the Hakone Ropeway (which offers views of Mt. Fuji over volcanic valleys), and iconic pirate-themed sightseeing cruises across Lake Ashi. Most visitors utilize the Hakone Free Pass, which provides unlimited rides on eight different transit systems, including the Odakyu local buses that connect major shrines and museums. While a car offers more flexibility for remote corners, the public transit system is so efficient and scenic that it is actually considered a core part of the sightseeing experience itself. Relying on transit also helps you avoid the heavy traffic and limited parking that often plague the narrow mountain roads during peak tourist seasons.

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Onshi Hakone Park It features a variety of walking paths, picnic areas, and seasonal flowers, such as cherry blossoms and azaleas. You also shouldn't miss the view of Mount Fuji from the observation deck.

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It connects Sounzan Station (at the terminus of the Hakone Tozan Cablecar) with Togendai Station (at the shore of Lake Ashinoko) and stops at Owakudani and Ubako stations on the way. The ropeway is fully covered by the Hakone Free Pass. The ropeway's gondolas depart every minute and fit around ten people each.

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There is so much to see and do in the Hakone Region that we would definitely recommend that you plan to stay in Hakone for at least 1-2 nights to make the most of the local options. However, many people are on a tight timeframe when they visit Japan so plan to do a day trip to Hakone instead.

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It's up to you how long you want to stay in each place. We visited the museum and spend little over an hour there but you can spend longer there. In total we spend about 8 hours for the round from Hakone Yumoto and back there including waiting time for the ship which we used to get lunch in the restaurant.

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Hakone is generally very safe even at night. The crime rate is considerably low and the locals are friendly and respectful. Public transport is reliable, and streets are well-lit and clearly marked.

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Yes, you can use the JR Railpass to get to Hakone. The JR Railpass will allow you to ride the shinkansen bullet train to Odawara 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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The pass is valid for two or three days (depending on the pass you select). It includes a round trip ticket on the Odakyu Line (from the departure station to Shinjuku) plus unlimited rides on different transportation modes in Hakone (additional fares are required for Limited Express Romancecar trains).

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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.

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Helpful InfoHAKONE AND KAWAGUCHIKO Kawaguchiko gives one of the best views of Fuji in all of Japan, but the logistics of getting there and other activities are very limited. Hakone has good views of the mountain, but convenient connection to transportation and many other attractions in the area.

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Hakone is a very popular recreational destination for people from Tokyo. Since it's rather quick and easy to get here from the big city, Hakone is usually quite crowded, especially on weekends – something we experienced ourselves, having visited on a weekend. The tourist hotspots were particularly busy.

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