How do you get to Hakone fast?

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. Taking the local JR Tokaido Line to Odawara Station may the the most economical.



The fastest way to reach Hakone from Tokyo in 2026 is a two-step rail journey using the Tokaido Shinkansen. From Tokyo or Shinagawa Station, take the "Kodama" or "Hikari" Shinkansen to Odawara Station, which takes approximately 30 to 35 minutes. Once at Odawara, you switch to the local Hakone Tozan line for a short 15-minute hop to Hakone-Yumoto, the gateway to the region. The total travel time is usually under 50 minutes. While the "Odakyu Romancecar" is a popular and very comfortable direct option from Shinjuku, it takes about 75 to 90 minutes. Therefore, for pure speed, the Shinkansen route via Odawara is superior. If you are using a Japan Rail Pass in 2026, this route is also fully covered up to Odawara, making it both the fastest and most cost-effective method for pass holders to begin their mountain retreat.

People Also Ask

Alternatively, the Odakyu line runs between Tokyo's Shinjuku Station and Hakone-Yumoto Station. There is an express train which takes around 85 minutes or a slower, cheaper train which takes around two hours (you change at Odawara Station). Another option is to buy a Hakone Free Pass.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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. All shinkansen does not stop at Odawara so make sure you catch the Kodama shinkansen. The shinkansen ride from Tokyo to Odawara is only about 40 minutes.

MORE DETAILS

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 ...

MORE DETAILS

Most of all this area is known for the unforgettable view of Mount Fuji rising up above Lake Ashinoko. Although Hakone is closer to Tokyo, it can be reached from Osaka fairly easily by train, and by bus.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Hakone: If you don't have a rail pass, the cost from Tokyo is much cheaper vs from Kyoto. And if you have a nationwide JR Pass, you can take Shinkansen to Odawara and then transfer to an Odakyu train to Hakone. The entire trip takes around 45 minutes.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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).

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

As for private tour, visiting both in a day is possible with a hired car. But even with a car, it's not so recommended for the above reason. One day for Mt. Fuji and one day for Hakone is recommended to appreciate the area fully.

MORE DETAILS