Hakone: What to Book Before You Go (2026)
Hakone is an easy trip from Tokyo: train, mountain railway, cable car, ropeway and a boat across Lake Ashi. Almost nothing needs a reservation except the Romancecar seat and your hotel.
The Hakone Freepass went up by ¥1,000 in October 2025, and for the classic loop it now only just breaks even. It is still worth having for the second day and the buses. Check the ropeway closures before you pick dates in December or January to February. We read the official pages for the prices below on 7 November 2026.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We say when the official site or the station is just as good.
What do you need to book before you go to Hakone?
Is the Hakone Freepass still worth it?
Add up the classic loop from Shinjuku in single tickets, then compare. The 2-day Freepass from Shinjuku is ¥7,100.
Verdict: for the full loop plus the bus, the pass is cheaper, and it gives discounts at about 70 places. If you only go to Yumoto for an onsen and come back, skip it and pay as you go.
Affiliate links. The same pass is sold at Odakyu station machines and on the EMot app, which is just as easy.
Which way round should you do the Hakone loop?
- Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto Romancecar about 80 min, or a regular Odakyu train with a change at Odawara.
- Tozan train to Gora About 40 min of switchbacks. Get off at Chokoku-no-Mori for the Open-Air Museum (2 min walk).
- Cable car to Sounzan, ropeway over Owakudani The ropeway closes at 16:15 in December and January, 17:00 the rest of the year. Go up in the morning.Check Hakone Navi for closures on your date. During planned maintenance, replacement buses accept the Freepass.
- Boat across Lake Ashi Togendai to Moto-Hakone or Hakone-machi, 25–40 min.
- Bus back to Hakone-Yumoto Hakone Tozan Bus from Moto-Hakone. Times and fares are in Hakone Navi's route search; road traffic can make the ride longer.
Is the Hakone Ropeway running in winter 2026–27?
Replacement buses accept the Freepass, so the pass still works. You lose the view over Owakudani, not the route.
Can you send your luggage to your Hakone hotel?
Yes. The counter at Hakone-Yumoto Station is open 8:30–18:30. Drop bags by 12:00 and they reach affiliated hotels the same day. ¥1,500 per bag up to 140 cm and 15 kg, ¥2,500 up to 200 cm and 30 kg. Only hotels on the operator's list are served.
Coming from Tokyo with big suitcases? Send them ahead with a delivery service → · Coin lockers →
Hakone and Mt Fuji together: which pass?
The Fuji Hakone Pass (¥11,100, 3 days) adds the Fujikyu railway and buses around Kawaguchiko. It is sold only on paper at the Odakyu service centres in Shinjuku West and Odawara. It pays off only if you really do both areas in three days.
What the official pages said on Nov 7, 2026
Odakyu listed the Hakone Freepass from Shinjuku at ¥7,100 (2 days) and ¥7,500 (3 days), from Odawara ¥6,000 / ¥6,400, Romancecar fee not included.
Hakone Navi listed the ropeway at ¥2,000 one way and the cruise at ¥1,700, both raised on 1 October 2025, and the ropeway maintenance closures for December 2026 and January–February 2027.
The Hakone Open-Air Museum listed ¥2,000 at the gate and ¥1,800 online, open 9:00–17:00 every day.
Odakyu's baggage page listed the Hakone-Yumoto counter at 8:30–18:30, drop-off by 12:00, ¥1,500 / ¥2,500 per bag.
Odakyu: the Romancecar is all reserved and takes about 80 minutes Shinjuku–Hakone-Yumoto. Hakone Navi gives bus fares only through its route search, so we point you there instead of quoting a figure.
What if…?
…the Romancecar is full?
Take a regular Odakyu train to Odawara and change to the Hakone Tozan line. It takes longer but needs no reservation and the Freepass covers it.
…the ropeway is stopped on my day?
A replacement bus is not promised when the ropeway stops for weather. Check Hakone Navi's notices for the day and use its route search for a bus to Lake Ashi (Togendai or Moto-Hakone).
…the roads are jammed?
Road traffic can slow the buses. Use the train side of the loop (Tozan train, cable car) as much as you can.
…I have a JR Pass?
JR takes you to Odawara by Shinkansen. From there, buy the Freepass from Odawara (¥6,000, 2 days). Is the JR Pass worth it? →
Bookable things worth doing
Mt Fuji and Hakone day tour from Tokyo
Coach tours from Tokyo combine Hakone and Mt Fuji in one day. Check the listing for the stops; you follow the tour's schedule instead of planning trains yourself.
Affiliate linkHakone Open-Air Museum
Sculptures outdoors and a Picasso pavilion, 2 min from Chokoku-no-Mori. The museum's own web ticket is ¥1,800.
Affiliate link. Compare with the ¥1,800 official web ticket.Staying one night or two?
One night is enough for the loop and an onsen. Book the ryokan and the Romancecar, buy the Freepass when you leave Shinjuku, and check Hakone Navi the night before.
Affiliate link