There is no JR train that goes directly to the heart of Hakone (Hakone-Yumoto), but you can use JR trains to get to Odawara Station, which is the main gateway to the Hakone region. From Tokyo or Shinagawa Stations, the fastest way is taking the Tokaido Shinkansen (Bullet Train), which takes about 35 minutes and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Alternatively, you can take the JR Tokaido Line or the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line for a more budget-friendly local commute that takes about 70–90 minutes. Once you arrive at Odawara, you must transfer to the non-JR Hakone Tozan Railway or a bus to reach the sightseeing areas. Because the local transport within Hakone (ropeways, pirate ships, and mountain trains) is operated by the Odakyu Group, many travelers choose to purchase a Hakone Free Pass at Odawara to cover their travel within the park, even if they used their JR Pass to reach the Odawara hub.