Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo

This guide covers planning a day trip from Tokyo to Hakone. It answers: “How to day trip to Hakone from Tokyo?”

Quick Facts

Travel time: 85 min from Shinjuku (Romancecar)
Best pass: Hakone Free Pass (includes round trip)
Cost: ¥6,100 (2-day pass from Shinjuku)
JR Pass: Not covered (Odakyu Railway)

Hakone Free Pass

Covers unlimited use of:

A red and white Hakone Tozan bus driving on a mountain road in Hakone. — Hakone Tozan Bus — Photo by Grendelkhan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

A red Hakone Tozan Railway train winding through lush green mountains. — Hakone Tozan Railway — Photo by Cassiopeia sweet / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain

A Hakone Ropeway gondola ascending over volcanic landscape with views of Lake Ashi. — Hakone Ropeway — Photo by Gin The Wanderer / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

A Hakone pirate ship sailing on Lake Ashi with Mount Fuji in the background. — Hakone Pirate Ship — Photo by Daderot / Wikimedia Commons / CC0

Odakyu train (Shinjuku-Hakone)
Hakone Tozan Railway
Cable car and ropeway
Pirate ships on Lake Ashi
Hakone Tozan buses

2-day pass: ¥6,100 / 3-day pass: ¥6,500

Tips

Day trip: 2-day pass works for single-day use – still good value.
Romancecar: Book in advance for window seats.
Return: Last Romancecar around 8pm. Check schedule.

Getting There

Starting Point

This itinerary begins at Hakone-Yumoto Station, the gateway to the Hakone region. The most convenient access point from Tokyo is Shinjuku Station.

From Shinjuku Station (Recommended – Premium): Take the Odakyu “Romancecar” Limited Express directly to Hakone-Yumoto Station in approximately 75–85 minutes. This requires a surcharge but offers reserved seating and the fastest connection.
From Shinjuku Station (Budget): Take the Odakyu Line (Rapid Express or Express) to Odawara Station, then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Line to reach Hakone-Yumoto. The total journey takes approximately 100–120 minutes.
From Tokyo Station: Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen (Premium) to Odawara Station in approximately 35 minutes, or the JR Tokaido Line (Budget – orange/green) in approximately 80–90 minutes. From Odawara, transfer to the Hakone Tozan Line or a local bus to Hakone-Yumoto.

From Narita Airport (NRT)

Recommended (Premium): Take the JR Narita Express (N’EX) 🔴 from Terminal 1 or 2 directly to Shinjuku Station in approximately 85–95 minutes. Terminal 3 users should take the shuttle to Terminal 2. Budget: Take the Keisei Main Line 🔵 to Nippori Station, then transfer to the JR Yamanote Line 🟢 to Shinjuku. This takes approximately 110–120 minutes.

From Haneda Airport (HND)

Recommended (Mid-range): Take the Keikyu Line 🔴 from any terminal (T1, T2, T3) to Shinagawa Station, then transfer to the JR Yamanote Line 🟢 to Shinjuku Station. The total trip takes approximately 50–60 minutes. Premium: Airport Limousine Buses run directly from Haneda terminals to Shinjuku Station and major hotels in approximately 40–60 minutes, depending on traffic.

Useful Passes

Highly Recommended: The Hakone Freepass is essential for this itinerary. It covers the round-trip fare from Shinjuku (on Odakyu lines) and unlimited rides on eight major transport systems within Hakone, including the Tozan Train, Cable Car, Ropeway, and Sightseeing Cruise. If you do not use the pass, IC cards like Suica and PASMO are accepted on trains and most buses in the region.

Sources

Odakyu: Odakyu Railway

Last updated: 2026-02-03