Hakone Freepass Guide Vol.5: Answering Common Questions About Hakone Travel!
The Hakone Freepass is a great deal even if you’re just visiting a few spots in the Hakone area. It’s the ultimate must-have item for smooth and easy travel, especially with multiple transfers. The smart way to enjoy Hakone starts with getting this pass!
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Freepass and Hakone travel, so be sure to check them out. Master the Hakone Freepass and enjoy a convenient, budget-friendly trip!
Can I use the Japan Rail Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass in Hakone?
Both are passes for JR trains and cannot be used within the Hakone area.
However, you can use them to reach Odawara Station via JR lines.
From Odawara, we recommend using the Hakone Freepass, which can be purchased via the EMot online ticket service.
Buy your Hakone Freepass on EMot Online Tickets
Fares
Is there a one-day Hakone Freepass?
The Hakone Freepass is valid for a minimum of two days, but even for a one-day trip, it’s more cost-effective to use the Freepass!
For example, if you take a day trip from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, cruise on Lake Ashi with the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, ride the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani, stroll through Gora Park, and visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum before returning to Shinjuku, you’ll save ¥1,220 compared to regular tickets or IC cards.
Can I visit Hakone on a day trip?
Absolutely! A one-day trip is easy and recommended.
If you take the Romancecar from Shinjuku around 7 a.m., you can cover Hakone’s major highlights in about 14 hours.
(Note: Transportation schedules may vary. Please check in advance.)
① 7:37 a.m. Romancecar from Shinjuku → 9:22 a.m. Arrive at Hakone-Yumoto, transfer to bus
② 9:45 a.m. Hakone Tozan Bus (H Line) → 10:17 a.m. Arrive at Moto-Hakone Port, stroll around Lake Ashi & visit Hakone Shrine
Hakone Shrine
③ 10 min walk from Moto-Hakone Bus Stop (~50 mins)
④ 11:30 a.m. Hakone Sightseeing Cruise → 11:55 a.m. Arrive at Togendai Port, lunch at Togendai View Restaurant
⑤ Togendai View Restaurant(~60 mins)
⑥ 1:00 p.m. Hakone Ropeway from Togendai Station → 1:30 p.m. Arrive at Owakudani Station, sightseeing & try black eggs
⑦ Black Egg /Owakudani (~40 mins)
⑧ 1:45 p.m. Hakone Ropeway from Owakudani Station → 2:00 p.m. Arrive at Sounzan Station, enjoy foot baths at cu-mo Hakone
⑨ cu-mo Hakone (~30 mins)
⑩ 2:32 p.m. Hakone Cable Car from Sounzan Station → 2:43 p.m. Arrive at Gora Station, transfer to Hakone Tozan Line train
⑪ 2:53 p.m. Hakone Tozan Line from Gora Station → 2:55 p.m. Arrive at Chokoku-no-Mori, visit Hakone Open-Air Museum
⑫ Open Air Museum (~70 mins)
⑬ 4:10 p.m. Hakone Tozan Line from Chokoku-no-Mori Station → 4:46 p.m. Back at Hakone-Yumoto Station, enjoy hot springs at Hakone Yuryo
⑭ Hakone Yuryo(~60 mins)
⑮ 6:00 p.m. Free shuttle bus back to Hakone-Yumoto Station, shop for souvenirs (~30 mins)
⑯ 6:36 p.m. Romancecar back to Shinjuku, arrive 8:06 p.m., dinner onboard
Note: The last Romancecar from Hakone-Yumoto Station departs at 7:50 p.m., so plan accordingly!
While you can enjoy Hakone in a day, staying overnight at a ryokan or hotel to relax in the hot springs is highly recommended. There’s much more to see beyond this itinerary!
How long is the Hakone Freepass valid?
The Freepass comes in two options: valid for 2 or 3 consecutive days.
The first day is counted from the date you start using it (regardless of the time), and it’s valid until the last train on the final day.
It’s not a time-based ticket, so be mindful of the date, not the hour you first use it.
Are there recommended tickets for traveling from Kansai (Osaka/Kyoto) to Hakone or from Tokyo through Hakone to Kansai?
In both cases, the Hakone Freepass is recommended.
++++++Hakone Freepass from Mishima++++++
・2-Day Pass: Adults 5,000 yen / Children 1,000 yen
・3-Day Pass: Adults 5,400 yen / Children 1,250 yen
For going from Kansai to Hakone, take the Shinkansen and get off at either Mishima Station or Odawara Station. Mishima Station, two stops before Odawara, is especially convenient.
You can purchase the Freepass at Mishima Station, but it’s more convenient to buy it with EMot online ticket. You won’t have to worry about when the ticket booth opens or closes since you can buy it any time. Once you have the Freepass, take the N Line (Tokai Bus) from Mishima Station to Hakonemachi Port, with unlimited rides and sitghtseeing spots along the way.
Purchasing the Hakone Freepass from Mishima
✅Website (Digital Ticket) – Highly recommended👍
✅Tokai Bus Mishima Station Information Center
🕔Mon–Fri: 8:00 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. / 2:15 p.m.–5:00 p.m. | Sat, Sun & Holidays: 8:00 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
・Closed on Wednesdays, and Dec 31 – Jan 1
・Open Jan 2–3 from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
If you’re heading to Kansai via Hakone from Tokyo, taking the Shinkansen from Mishima Station is recommended if you’re near Lake Ashi.
Buses to Odawara Station are often crowded with people returning to Shinjuku, so Mishima Station is more convenient as it’s closer to Kansai.
If you’re not returning to Shinjuku and heading straight to Kansai, purchase a regular train ticket from Shinjuku and the Hakone Freepass (Hakone area only).
Buses towards Mishima are covered by the Hakone Freepass, so no extra fees are needed.
How do I get to Hakone?
Take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station to Odawara Station, then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Train to reach Hakone-Yumoto Station.
There are two ways to get there: by regular train or the reserved-seat Limited Express Romancecar.
From Shinjuku, you can choose between an express train and the Limited Express Romancecar.
The express train makes many stops and can get very crowded during rush hours. That’s why the Limited Express Romancecar is highly recommended—it has reserved seating, allows you to bring large luggage comfortably, requires no transfers to Hakone-Yumoto, and gets you there faster than the express train.
Can I use the highway bus?
If you have a Hakone Freepass from Shinjuku, you can use the highway bus for an additional one-way fee of 1,000 yen on the following routes:
＜Routes＞
From Shinjuku Station to Tomei Gotemba, Betemba Premium Outlets, and Hotel Clad / Konohana no Yu
* The area between the Gotemba area and the Hakone area is within the unlimited ride zone of the Hakone Freepass.
Large items like suitcases cannot be brought inside the bus.
Please load them into the bus’s trunk yourself. The bus company is not responsible for any lost or damaged luggage.
Can I send my suitcase to my hotel or ryokan?
Carrying a large suitcase while taking the bus or sightseeing can be a hassle. However, you can drop off your luggage at the Hakone Carry Service counter at Hakone-Yumoto Station, and they will deliver it to your accommodation. The service is available both from Hakone-Yumoto Station to your hotel and from your hotel back to the station.
For example, if you send your luggage from the station to your hotel, dropping it off by 12:30 p.m. at Hakone-Yumoto Station will ensure it’s delivered to your hotel after 3:00 p.m.
*To send your luggage from your hotel to the station, please apply at your hotel’s front desk.
To secure your spot, we recommend making a reservation and payment in advance.
You can enter your information and accommodation details, then pay online by credit card.
For details on reservations, reception hours, eligible accommodations, size limits, and fees, please refer to this page 🔗.
Are there coin lockers for suitcases at Hakone-Yumoto Station?
Yes, there are coin lockers at Hakone-Yumoto Station that can fit suitcases. You'll find them inside the ticket gates (on the platform), outside the ticket gates next to the elevators (on the 1st and 2nd floors), and at the rotary in front of the station. You can store your luggage there and enjoy sightseeing hands-free.
Are there places to eat at night?
Hakone is a historic hot spring town surrounded by nature. The traditional style is to have dinner and breakfast at your accommodation.
Depending on the area, there may be few restaurants nearby, and many shops close by early evening. If you choose a plan without meals, be sure to research nearby dining options in advance.
Also, note that convenience stores are not always close by, so plan accordingly.
Can you explore Hakone on foot?
Hakone’s tourist spots are spread out over a wide area, making it difficult to explore entirely on foot. The region has significant elevation changes, with some areas reaching nearly 1,000 meters above sea level. To move around comfortably, it’s recommended to use public transportation, which conveniently connects key areas. However, you can still enjoy walking in certain spots, such as strolling along the lakeside at Lake Ashi, exploring the cedar avenue in Moto-Hakone, or walking the historic trails near Owakudani.
Can I use taxis?
The Hakone Freepass does not cover taxi rides.
Additionally, taxis are not as plentiful in Hakone. While they are easier to find around stations and major tourist spots, it can be challenging to catch one in remote areas or during off-peak hours. If you need a taxi, it’s best to book in advance or use a ride-hailing app. Keep in mind that taxis may come from nearby towns, which can result in longer wait times. That said, Hakone has a well-developed public transportation system, making it easy to get around without relying on taxis.
How can I check transportation conditions?
You can check the operation status and congestion levels of transportation in the Hakone area on the Hakone Navi Transportation Information website.
This is especially important during severe weather, as services may be suspended. Be sure to check in advance.
Can I use vouchers issued by a travel agency as is?
For exchanging, go to the Odakyu Travel Center (Shinjuku west exit / Odawara). Please note the business hours. Vouchers cannot be exchanged in other areas, including Hakone, Gotemba, or Lake Kawaguchi.
For details about the Odakyu Travel Center, click here
Can I get a refund if services are suspended due to severe weather?
If transportation services are suspended due to bad weather, you can get a refund for your Hakone Freepass at any Odakyu Line station or Hakone transportation station.
Refunds are only available if the affected transportation was not used during the validity period.
For Hakone Freepasses exchanged from a voucher, refunds cannot be processed at Hakone transportation stations or Odakyu Line stations. Please refer to the information below.
<For vouchers exchanged for a Hakone Freepass>
Please bring your ticket to an Odakyu Travel Center and request a refund. Be mindful of their business hours.
<For digital tickets>
If purchased via EMot Online Tickets: Apply for a refund through the designated application form 🔗
If purchased through a travel agency’s website: Contact the support center of the travel agency where you made the purchase.