Transit & logisticsBy Clever Tourists · Published
Yes, for most first-time visitors who ride the classic Hakone loop. The 2-day Hakone Freepass costs ¥7,100 (≈ $45) from Shinjuku (¥7,500 (≈ $48) for 3 days) or ¥6,000 (≈ $38) from Odawara (¥6,400 (≈ $41) for 3 days), and the ropeway and Lake Ashi cruise alone cost ¥3,700 (≈ $23) one way at regular fares, before the trains, cable car and buses. The Romancecar seat fee is not included. Plan around two maintenance closures: the Hakone Ropeway is replaced by buses between Owakudani and Sounzan from 7 to 24 December 2026, and between Togendai and Owakudani from 12 January to 26 February 2027.
Free toolConvert to your own currency at live rates →Live mid-market rates for all 17 currencies we used, so you can see what a price actually costs.Odakyu's official prices (in effect since October 2025):
• From Shinjuku, 2 days: ¥7,100 (≈ $45) adult / ¥1,600 (≈ $10.2) child
• From Shinjuku, 3 days: ¥7,500 (≈ $48) adult / ¥1,850 (≈ $11.7) child
• From Odawara, 2 days: ¥6,000 (≈ $38) adult / ¥1,500 (≈ $9.5) child
• From Odawara, 3 days: ¥6,400 (≈ $41) adult / ¥1,750 (≈ $11.1) child
The Shinjuku version includes a round trip on the Odakyu Line between Shinjuku and Odawara; the Odawara version covers only the Hakone area. Buy the Odawara version if you arrive by Shinkansen or on a JR Pass. The pass is sold online as a digital ticket through Odakyu's EMot service (one smartphone per traveler unless you use the group option) and as a paper ticket at Odakyu sightseeing service centers and ticket machines.
The Romancecar limited express seat fee is extra: ¥1,200 (≈ $7.6) one way from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto. Without it you ride ordinary Odakyu trains and change at Odawara, which takes longer but costs nothing extra on the pass.
The pass covers eight forms of transport: the Odakyu Line (Shinjuku version), the Hakone Tozan Train from Odawara to Gora, the Hakone Tozan Cable Car from Gora to Sounzan, the Hakone Ropeway from Sounzan over Owakudani to Togendai, the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise (the pirate ships) on Lake Ashi, and designated routes of the Hakone Tozan Bus, Odakyu Highway Bus and Tokai Bus, plus the sightseeing-facilities loop bus.
The classic loop runs Hakone-Yumoto → Gora by mountain train → Sounzan by cable car → Owakudani and Togendai by ropeway → Moto-Hakone or Hakone-machi by boat → back to Hakone-Yumoto by bus. It takes a full day with stops. The pass also gives discounts at about 70 facilities, including museums, onsen and restaurants, listed on Hakone Navi.
At regular fares the ropeway costs ¥2,000 (≈ $12.7) one way (¥3,000 (≈ $19.0) return) and the Lake Ashi cruise ¥1,700 (≈ $10.8) one way. Add the mountain train, cable car and the bus back to Hakone-Yumoto, and one loop from Odawara costs more than the ¥6,000 (≈ $38) Odawara pass.
From Shinjuku, the ordinary Odakyu fare to Hakone-Yumoto is about ¥1,270 (≈ $8.1) each way, or about ¥2,540 (≈ $16.1) return. Put that together with the ropeway and cruise and you are already near ¥6,240 (≈ $40), before the Tozan train, cable car and bus, so the ¥7,100 (≈ $45) pass comes out ahead on a single loop. A 2-day pass also covers a second day of buses and trains around Hakone, which matters if you stay overnight at a ryokan in Gora or by the lake.
The pass is not worth it if you only go to Hakone-Yumoto for an onsen and back, or if you only ride one or two pieces of the loop. It is also weaker during the ropeway closures if you planned to ride the full ropeway, though replacement buses keep the loop possible.
Odakyu Hakone has announced two maintenance closures with replacement buses:
• 7 December (Mon) to 24 December (Thu), 2026: Owakudani to Sounzan suspended. Togendai to Owakudani runs normally.
• 12 January (Tue) to 26 February (Fri), 2027: Togendai to Ubako to Owakudani suspended. Owakudani to Sounzan runs normally.
Replacement buses run about every 15 minutes during ropeway hours (about 10 minutes Owakudani–Sounzan, 15 minutes Togendai–Owakudani), and Freepass holders can ride them. The operator warns the buses will be very crowded and the Owakudani road may back up, and suggests reaching Owakudani on the section that is still running. Ropeway hours in December and January are 9:00 to 16:15. The ropeway also stops in strong wind or volcanic alerts at Owakudani, so check Hakone Navi on the morning you go.
If you want Hakone and Mount Fuji views in one trip, the Fuji Hakone Pass adds the Fuji Five Lakes area. For a single day focused on Kawaguchiko rather than Hakone, our Mount Fuji day trip guide compares the Romancecar, highway buses and tours.
For a short visit to Hakone-Yumoto only, pay as you go with a Suica or Pasmo, which work on Odakyu and Hakone Tozan trains and most local buses. Highway buses from Shinjuku Bus Terminal to Hakone are another option, but traffic can make them slower than the train. Fit Hakone into a wider Tokyo stay with our 3 days in Tokyo itinerary.
From Shinjuku, ¥7,100 (≈ $45) for 2 days and ¥7,500 (≈ $48) for 3 days. From Odawara, ¥6,000 (≈ $38) for 2 days and ¥6,400 (≈ $41) for 3 days. Child passes cost much less. The Romancecar seat fee is extra.
No. The pass covers ordinary Odakyu trains between Shinjuku and Odawara, but the Romancecar needs a limited express ticket, ¥1,200 (≈ $7.6) one way from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto.
Partly. Owakudani–Sounzan is replaced by buses from 7 to 24 December 2026, and Togendai–Owakudani from 12 January to 26 February 2027. Freepass holders can use the replacement buses.
Yes, if you ride the full loop. The ropeway (¥2,000 (≈ $12.7)) and Lake Ashi cruise (¥1,700 (≈ $10.8)) alone cost ¥3,700 (≈ $23) one way at regular fares, and the trains, cable car and bus push the total past the pass price.
From Shinjuku if you are starting in Tokyo on Odakyu trains, since it includes the round trip. From Odawara if you arrive by Shinkansen or JR Pass; it costs ¥6,000 (≈ $38) for 2 days.
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