The 4 Best Ways to Travel from Tokyo to Hakone

For relaxing hot springs, gorgeous Mount Fuji views, and lots of mountain paths to walk, look no further than Hakone, just outside of Tokyo. This is a great place to relax and get away from the city for a bit, best known for its onsens (hot springs) and views of the iconic volcano — Mount Fuji.

To get to Hakone from Tokyo, we suggest going by road by private vehicle, which would be the quickest and most convenient option.

Taking the Odakyu Limited Express Romancecar (a train with an amazing name) takes just 85 minutes and is your cheapest option.

Also, we cover buses and the bullet-train-and-bus option.

1. Take a Car or Private Transfer from Tokyo to Hakone: the Most Convenient and Quickest Way

The drive between Tokyo and Hakone is only approximately an hour, and thus is very doable, distance-wise. The views on the way are stunning too, making it a beautiful drive, and you can stop anywhere you want to for photos in a car.

It is possible to rent a car and drive the journey, although there are some narrow roads and tight corners that you need to be comfortable driving. Car rental will set you back approximately US$65 per day.

What might be easier is to take a taxi, which takes around an hour, and costs approximately US$70-90. This way you don't need to worry about parking, navigation, and driving in a foreign country. You could be on your way to Hakone before you've even picked up your rental car, and relax on the way.

We can arrange a private transfer for you with an English-speaking driver/guide (most Japanese taxi drivers don't speak much English). This is the quickest and absolute best way to get between Tokyo and Hakone. We would take all of your luggage with you easily, and your driver would be waiting to take you from door to door and place to place in Hakone.

2. Take the Regular Train from Tokyo to Hakone: the Cheapest Way

There are two regular Odakyu trains that you can take between Tokyo (specifically the Odakyu Shinjuku Station) and Hakone's Hakone-Yumoto Station.

There is either the 85–minute train (US$15), called the Odakyu Limited Express Romancecar which goes directly, or there is also a 2–hour journey with a transfer in Odawara onto the Hakone Tozan train from the regular Odakyu train.

The latter train is a little cheaper (and your cheapest option), at US$8, but does require a transfer at Odawara Station, and thus takes a bit more time and navigating.

If you want to get the train, we suggest taking the direct Odakyu Limited Express Romancecar. This train has reserved seating only, and you can either book in advance or get your ticket at the station. Due to the popularity of the line, we suggest booking in advance which you can do on the Odakyu website online. You will then get a ticket emailed, and won't need to collect anything at the station on your day of travel.

3. Get a Bus from Tokyo to Hakone

There are also buses between Tokyo and Hakone, serviced by the Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus. The bus leaves every half an hour from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, taking you to Hakone's Lake Ashi area with numerous other stops in the area along the route.

Buses start around 7am, and the last bus leaves around 11pm.

The trip takes around 2 hours, and costs approximately US$14. You can book tickets online via Japan Bus Online or get them at the station on the day. If you are traveling during the tourist season (spring and fall) or the weekends we recommend booking ahead of time.

4. Get the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Odawara, and a Bus from Odawara to Hakone

There are train options that involve the Shinkansen train to get to Hakone from Tokyo, particularly the Kodama and Hikari Shinkansen trains which service Odawara.

From Odawara you then have to get a bus to Hakone which takes approximately 30 minutes. You can book your onward journey online in advance, or book it at the station on the day. We recommend reserving ahead of time if you're traveling during the spring or fall, when Japan sees more tourists.

While the Shinkansen is not the fastest way nor the cheapest option to get from Tokyo to Hakone, it's a good choice if you want to experience Japan's amazing bullet trains or if you already have a Japan Rail Pass. Another reason to take this route might be that you are staying close to Shinagawa Station or Tokyo Station, where the Shinkansen trains depart from.

Train times usually get released and tickets become available around 2–3 months in advance, which is the earliest you can get your tickets.

To learn more about getting your tickets for the Shinkansen, please read our article about the 4 best ways to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. The bullet train to Odawara has the same tips for booking your tickets as the bullet train to Kyoto.

How to Transfer Luggage from Tokyo to Hakone?

You can take your luggage with you when taking the train, and reserve a seat with luggage space ahead of time.

Every Shinkansen ticket includes two pieces of luggage, and each item's combined length, width, and height cannot be larger than 250 cm (or 98 inches). Your individual suitcases are not allowed to weigh over 30 kilograms (66 pounds) either.

It is also possible to use the luggage forwarding service that is popular in Japan. This service is called takuhaibin, and it can be booked at either your hotel or your train station. Takuhaibin makes it so much easier to not have to carry your luggage around, particularly if you are transferring trains, and only costs around US$10 per 25 kg (or 55 lbs) piece of luggage. Delivery is usually the next day or the same day, depending on when you travel, so you may need to take some items with you on the train.

Is it Possible to See Hakone on a Day Trip from Tokyo?

It is possible to see Hakone on a day trip from Tokyo, since the journey takes between 1–2 hours depending on your chosen method of transport. Since there is quite a bit to do in Hakone, we suggest staying over for at least a night. This way you can also enjoy the beautiful sunset and sunrise, and you don't need to rush around.

Hakone is also home to the beautiful Hakone Shinto Shrine marked by a traditional torii gate overlooking the water. This spot is worth a visit, and is popular with people coming to pay their respects, or to pray for happiness, wealth, and good fortune.

Go on an Adventure in Japan with Asia Highlights

Our team at Asia Highlights has decades of experience putting together itineraries for travel. If you are interested in visiting Hakone, or if you need help arranging some of your transportation around Japan in general, do not hesitate to reach out. Our team will be happy to make your Japan adventure dreams come true.

Recommended customizable tour including Hakone: 12–Day Japan Tour: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Himeji

If you have any questions, or want to see what our team can do for you on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan, please don't hesitate to contact us today.