Hakone Getting there & around

Getting around

Part of Hakone’s popularity comes from the chance to ride assorted norimono (modes of transport) : switchback train (from Hakone-Yumoto to Gōra), funicular, ropeway (gondola), ship and bus. Check out www.odakyu.jp, which describes this circuit. Stops along the way have snack and souvenir shops.

Boat

From Tōgendai, sightseeing boats crisscross Ashino-ko to Hakone-machi and Moto-Hakone (¥970, 30 minutes). The boats look like pirate ships and Mississippi River paddlewheelers – tourist kitsch but fun all the same.

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Bus & tram

Bus

The Hakone-Tōzan and Izu Hakone bus companies service the Hakone area, linking up most of the sights. Hakone-Tōzan bus routes are included in the Hakone Freepass. If you finish in Hakone-machi, Hakone-Tōzan buses run between here and Odawara for ¥1150. Hakone-en to Odawara costs ¥1270. Buses run from Moto-Hakone to Hakone-Yumoto for ¥930 every 30 minutes from 10am to 3pm.

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Car & motorcycle

Cable car & ropeway

Gōra is the terminus of the Hakone Tōzan Railway and the beginning of the cable car (funicular) to Sōunzan, from where you can catch the Hakone Ropeway (gondola) line to Ōwakudani and Tōgendai.

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