Tokyo to Hakone cost 2026: Romancecar, Shinkansen and Hakone Freepass

By the Japan Travel Costs team. Every figure links to its source with the date we last checked it, and figures we cannot verify are left out. About us.

Last checked 2026-11-02

Hakone is the classic hot spring and Mt. Fuji day trip from Tokyo, and there are two main ways in: Odakyu from Shinjuku, or JR to Odawara and then a short local train. The Hakone Freepass is the third piece of the puzzle. This guide adds up the official fares so you can pick the cheapest option for your trip.

Option 1: Odakyu from Shinjuku

Odakyu runs from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, the gateway station for Hakone. Its fare table lists these adult one-way prices (Odakyu: Romancecar fare table (Japanese)):

The Romancecar is Odakyu's reserved-seat limited express. Odakyu says buying the express ticket online is cheaper, and the table above shows the ticketless charge is ¥50 less. If you board without an express ticket, Odakyu adds ¥350 to the charge on board, so buy before you ride (Odakyu: Romancecar fare table (Japanese)).

Without the Romancecar you pay only the fare, ¥1,270 (US$8) by paper ticket.

Option 2: Shinkansen to Odawara, then the local line

This route costs more than the Romancecar but suits you if you are starting near Tokyo Station rather than Shinjuku. Some Romancecar trains also run on from Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto, for a ¥200 (US$1) express charge on that section (Odakyu: Romancecar fare table (Japanese)). Our Tokyo to Odawara route page has the Shinkansen details.

With a JR Pass

The JR Pass covers the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Odawara on Hikari and Kodama trains. It does not cover Odakyu, the Romancecar or the Hakone Tozan Line, because they are not JR. So a pass holder pays ¥360 (US$2) each way from Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto, or buys the Hakone Freepass from Odawara (below). A Hakone trip alone will not justify a 7 day pass at ¥50,000 (US$318) (Official Japan Rail Pass price page); check your whole route in the location planner.

The Hakone Freepass

Odakyu's Hakone Freepass gives unlimited rides on eight types of transport in the Hakone area: the Odakyu Line, Hakone Tozan Train, Hakone Tozan Cable Car, Hakone Ropeway, Hakone Sightseeing Cruise and several bus lines in designated areas. Bought from Shinjuku, it also includes the round trip between Shinjuku and Hakone, and it gives discounts at about 70 facilities (Odakyu: Hakone Freepass).

The Freepass covers the base fare only. To ride the Romancecar from Shinjuku you add a reserved seat ticket, ¥1,200 (US$8) adult or ¥600 child per one-way ride to Hakone-Yumoto (Odakyu: Hakone Freepass).

Is the Hakone Freepass worth it?

Compare the pass with the plain round trip first. From Shinjuku, two Odakyu fares cost 2 x ¥1,270 = ¥2,540 (US$16), while the 2 day Freepass is ¥7,100 (US$45). The difference, ¥4,560 (US$29), is what you would need to spend on rides inside Hakone for the pass to pay off. A loop with the cable car, ropeway and the Lake Ashi cruise adds several separate tickets, so add up the fares for the rides you actually plan from the operators before you decide. If you are only going to Hakone-Yumoto for a hot spring and coming straight back, single tickets are cheaper.

Sample totals, one adult, round trip

• Romancecar both ways, no Freepass: 2 x ¥2,470 = ¥4,940 (US$31).
• Freepass from Shinjuku (2 days) plus Romancecar both ways: ¥7,100 + 2 x ¥1,200 = ¥9,500 (US$60), with Hakone rides included.
• Shinkansen via Odawara, no pass: 2 x (¥3,810 + ¥360) = ¥8,340 (US$53).
• JR Pass holder plus Freepass from Odawara (2 days): ¥6,000 (US$38), with the Shinkansen to Odawara on the pass.

Planning the rest

Hakone sits on the way from Tokyo to Kyoto, so many travellers stop for a night. Our 12 day itinerary includes a Hakone night, and the trip planner prices Hakone to Kyoto too. For hotel prices, see accommodation costs, and add everything to the trip budget calculator.

Sources: Odakyu: Romancecar fare table (Japanese); Odakyu: Hakone Freepass; NAVITIME Travel: Tokaido Shinkansen fare table (Tokyo to Odawara, Hikari reserved); NAVITIME Travel route search: Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto (Hakone Tozan Line, ¥360); Official Japan Rail Pass price page. Last checked 2026-11-02.