First time in Hakone? Here is what to know about the areas, access, and where to stay.
See where to stay in Hakone →Getting there
The gateway is Hakone-Yumoto Station, reachable from Shinjuku (Tokyo) via the Odakyu line and the Romancecar limited express. From Yumoto, the Hakone mountain railway, cable car, ropeway, and Lake Ashi sightseeing boats connect the sights.
Areas at a glance
- Yumoto: gateway, most shops and access
- Gora: higher-up hot-spring town
- Sengokuhara: highland, grasslands, museums
- Lake Ashi: lake, boats, Mt. Fuji views
Is the Hakone Freepass worth it?
The Freepass costs ¥7,100 for 2 days from Shinjuku, or ¥6,000 from Odawara (prices since October 2025). If you ride the full loop — mountain railway, cable car, ropeway, Lake Ashi boat, and buses — individual tickets usually exceed ¥8,000, so the pass pays off. A simple round trip to Lake Ashi (about ¥5,000 in single tickets) may not. It also gives discounts at about 70 attractions.
Practical tips
- Forward luggage from Tokyo/Odawara to your ryokan to travel light (roughly ¥2,500–3,000 per bag, usually next-day)
- Suica/PASMO IC cards work on most trains and buses; Welcome Suica is available for visitors
- Older ryokan may have many stairs — check accessibility
- Book 3–6 months ahead for weekends, holidays, and spring/autumn
Onsen & tattoos
Prefer privacy, or have a tattoo? Choose a room with a private open-air bath — see our tattoo & onsen guide.
FAQ
How do I get to Hakone from Tokyo?
Take the Odakyu line / Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, then local trains, cable car, ropeway, or boats.
When should I book?
For weekends, holidays, and spring/autumn, book 3–6 months ahead. Aitayo can alert you to cancellations if you're too late.
Last updated: 2026-07-17 ・ Reservations are on Rakuten Travel (Japanese site).