Don't lose money by defaulting to “I'll just get the Freepass.” Here's a breakdown of when it pays off by travel pattern.
See Hakone private-onsen ryokan →Price and coverage
From Shinjuku: ¥7,100 for a 2-day pass, ¥7,500 for a 3-day pass. From Odawara (bought within the Hakone area): ¥6,000 for a 2-day pass, ¥6,400 for a 3-day pass (revised October 2025; children's fares are separate). It covers unlimited rides on the Hakone Tozan Railway, cable car, ropeway, the Lake Ashinoko cruise, and designated buses — and if bought from Shinjuku, it also includes one round trip on the Odakyu Line.
Where it starts paying off
If you do the classic loop from Shinjuku — mountain railway, cable car, ropeway, cruise, and bus — buying individual tickets adds up to more than ¥8,000. In other words, a full loop pays for a 2-day pass (¥7,100) even in a single day. On the other hand, a round trip from Shinjuku to Lake Ashinoko alone costs around ¥5,000 in individual fares, making the Freepass a worse deal in that case.
Scenario breakdown
- Day trip, full loop: Good — individual fares exceed ¥8,000 vs. ¥7,100 for the pass
- Overnight stay with a loop plus sightseeing: Best case — makes the most of two days of unlimited rides
- Round trip to just Lake Ashinoko (or just Owakudani): Not worth it — individual tickets are cheaper
- Mostly getting around by car: Not worth it — you get almost no benefit from unlimited rides; an IC card is enough
About 70 attractions offer discounts too
Showing the Freepass gets you discounted admission at roughly 70 attractions and shops around Hakone. If you're planning to visit several museums or gardens, that adds to the savings on top of the transport math.
How to buy it
You can buy it at the Odakyu counters (information centers) at Shinjuku Station's west and south exits, at station ticket machines, or online. The counters accept major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and Amex.
A 2-day pass is the natural fit for an overnight stay
If you're staying one night in Hakone, the outbound trip, return trip, and sightseeing generally fit neatly within a 2-day pass. During busy seasons, ryokan fill up before passes become scarce, so secure your room first. Even if it's fully booked, pressing the bell on Aitayo means you'll get a LINE alert the moment a cancellation opens up (see catching last-minute cancellations).
FAQ
Does the Freepass pay off even for a day trip?
If you do the classic loop — mountain railway, ropeway, cruise, bus — in full, individual fares exceed ¥8,000, so even the 2-day pass (¥7,100) pays off. If you're only using part of the network, individual tickets can be cheaper.
How do I choose between the 2-day and 3-day pass?
As a rough guide, a 2-day pass suits a one-night stay, and a 3-day pass (¥400 more from Shinjuku) suits a more relaxed two-night stay.
Last updated: 2026-07-17 ・ Reservations are on Rakuten Travel (Japanese site).