HAKONE ITINERARY: Day Trip from Tokyo or 2-3 Days with Hakone Free Pass

[@KenshoQuest]

We appreciate the commissions we earn when you purchase the Hakone Free Pass through our Klook affiliate link geni.us/hakonefreepass 🌟 Save 3-10% with KENSHOQUESTKLOOK

[@solomani5959]

Quick question, the only way to upgrade to the Romancar is in person? No online option?

[@KenshoQuest]

@@solomani5959 You can also pay the Romancecar Limited Express surcharge online through the e-Romancecar website: www.web-odakyu.com/e-romancecar/?language=en&country= Here's my video explaining all about limited express trains in Japan: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGeaY5irns2Cfac

[@solomani5959]

@@KenshoQuest thanks you.

[@solomani5959]

@@KenshoQuest Looking at that site it has different train codes MES, EXP etc. Are these all Romancecars? They all seem to take the same amount of time (about 90 minutes). So just wondered if I should be looking specifically for a train called romance car (based on the time I assume yes). Thank you.

[@KenshoQuest]

@@solomani5959 Yes, they are all Romancecars as that webpage is specifically for the Romancecar. Basically, depending upon which one you choose the train will look different. The GSE (Graceful Super Express) is red/orange. I would try to get the very front observation deck seats on the GSE, if available. See here: www.odakyu.jp/english/romancecar/lineup/

[@moulikdoshi359]

Thank you so much for this itenary. We followed it and it worked wonders for the day trip. Thank you again!

[@KenshoQuest]

You're welcome! Thanks for letting me know. 🌸 Heidi

[@beaterufft]

than you, I’m so excited to go

[@KenshoQuest]

You're welcome! Have a wonderful time in Hakone.

[@sharkbaithohaha9583]

One day is definitely not enough. We barely able to pass by many spots, but we were able to ride the bus, cable car, rope way, and the pirate ship. My last pirate ship departed at 5pm btw.

[@Islandgirl4ever2]

Thanks so much.. We are planning 3 days this Nov.. Can't wait!

[@KenshoQuest]

Exciting!

[@haniaj2023]

I went to kawaguchiko using shinkanzen tho not the fastest one it was still a great experience. I planned to visit hakone but love kawaguchiko so much that i had to extend the stay there at the cost of not going to hakone. Mount fuji is so magnificent and seeing the white covered mountain everyday during hanami is just magical... I wish you cover kawaguchiko so i can reminisce the trip.

[@KenshoQuest]

We hope to visit Kawaguchiko on our next trip to Japan! Sounds lovely.

[@koreanature]

!!! My best friend, Great Good... !!! I wish you every day of your development.

[@FrkTrine87]

Hi, Thanks for all your awesome videos with tips and tricks for Japan! We really appreciate all your links :) We were thinking of going to Hakone on 1 November, with an overnight stay there, but we have Disney/Tokyo Bay as our departure point. How should we plan the trip with Hakone Free pass in mind?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, to take full advantage of the Hakone Free Pass you may want to get to Shinjuku Station first. However, if that is too out of the way, then you can take local trains to Odawara Station and purchase the Hakone Free Pass there. Finally, if you want the fastest route from Disney, take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station to Odawara Station. Then purchase/use the Hakone Free Pass from Odawara to Hakone Yumoto Station.

[@FrkTrine87]

@@KenshoQuest Thank you so much for your reply and guidance!

[@Northstar2000]

Thank you

[@KenshoQuest]

You’re welcome. Are you headed to Hakone soon?

[@KenshoQuest]

You’re welcome. Are you headed to Hakone soon?

[@krishnavaidya9550]

We r a group of 10 senior citizens, where should we stay in hakone - gora station area or Yumoto or any other?

[@ASch-tw5xr]

Hello I am in Japan now and thanks to your videos I have booked from KlooK ( via your code) my JR pass and Disneysea pass. Now I have one question and need your advice . I wanted to book a Hakone pass. I’ll be arriving to Hakone from Osaka on the 13th dec. I know from Odawara Station I have to use my Hakone Pass since the JR is not valid. Now arriving in Hakone on the 13th at 15:00 & leaving on the 15th at 7:00 am does it mean I should get a 2 day pass or three? Thanks in advance.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. I would get the 3 day pass, which is only 400 Yen more so you can use it to get from Odawara Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station. Will your JR Pass still be valid when you leave Hakone? If so, you only need the version of the pass that starts from Odawara, which you can buy at Odawara Station. If your JR Pass will no longer be valid, then you might want the pass sold on Klook, that includes a ride on Odakyu railway back to Shinjuku Station.

[@ASch-tw5xr]

My JR pass won’t be valid anymore by the time I leave Hakone. Thanks to your info, I just purchased my Hakone pass for three days from KlooK and retrieved it from Shinjuku station. Once again many many thanks! ❤

[@smiles4675]

Hi there! Thankyou for all these information. I need help on planning Hakone day trip. Idea is to leave hakone at 5 pm and take JR to Kyoto. What are places I can cover from morning to evening. ? Will take Hakone(odowara station) to kyoto shinkensen. Thankyou in advance!

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. If you arrive in Hakone in the morning, you can probably complete the sightseeing loop through Lake Ashi and up to Owakudani Volcanic Valley. I explained it in this other video. You could skip places like Jinja-Shrine and Gora Park to finish sooner. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqHYeIiVZ9-Bq7Msi=E0TpfUKroPqUU8Ry

[@smiles4675]

@@KenshoQuest Thankyou so much

[@wt7668]

Another question , if i do not need round trip ticket , how much is the hakone free pass (area pass only that need to purchase after arriving at hakone) I couldn’t find the price anywhere online FYI :My itinerary is from Tokyo to hakone to Osaka Thanks

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. For the Hakone area only, the 2 Day Hakone Free Pass is 5,000 Yen and the 3 Day pass is 5,400 Yen. www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/hakone/ Do you have other transportation, such as the JR Pass? Even if you will be going one direction Tokyo (Shinjuku) to Hakone, it's worth it to get the pass that includes round trip from Shinjuku. Here's my Guide to the Hakone Free Pass video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqHYeIiVZ9-Bq7M

[@wt7668]

Thank you for your quick reply , yes we hv the 7 days JR pass , your video is very helpful, much appreciated

[@KenshoQuest]

Awesome! You can use your JR Pass to get as far as Odawara Station and you can purchase the Hakone Free Pass there.@@wt7668

[@katetf66]

We are doing a rental car from Matsumoto to Hakone, seeing some things around there that seemed to benefit from car and then dropping the car at Odaware station around dinner time. But it seems (maybe?) like it would be a good idea to have a Hakone free pass, for transportation from Odaware back to hotel near Gora station, for seeing things in Hakone that day and then the next day for transportation after hiking and back to Odaware, etc. We'll head to Tokyo after Hakone ultimately. Thoughts? Where would we GET the Hakone Free pass given that we're not starting in Shinjuku and not scheduled to use a train until AFTER we would see some sites. :(

[@KenshoQuest]

You could purchase the version of the Hakone Free Pass that only includes the Hakone area (no round trip to Shinjuku) at Odawara Station. Either from the ticket office, or a ticket vending machine. Then you can use it to take the train back to Hakone. The Free Pass covers the cable car, ropeway, and sightseeing ship, so different things than a car could take you to. 🌸 Heidi

[@tulikasipani233]

Hello !! Please suggest how to to to Mt. Fuji (Kawaguchi station) from Hakone with 3 days Hakone pass.

[@tulikasipani233]

I am travelling with 2 kids so don't wish to cover other Tokyo wide pass areas, Hakone pass seems better.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. The Hakone Free Pass will take you as far as the Gotemba Premium Outlets. From there you can take an Express Bus to Kawaguchiko Station. The Express bus tickets need to be purchased online in advance. www.fujikyumobility.com/highway/kawagutiko.html 🌸 Heidi

[@squasherpunk]

Hi! I have a 5 and 1+ travelling with me. I have the Hakone Freepass and intending to upgrade to Romancecar. Do my little ones need to purchase a ticket for the Romancecar? They did not have to buy the Hakone Freepass (under 6). Thank you for the great video!

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. They don’t need a ticket if you don’t mind them sitting on your lap. There might be extra room to spread out, or the other seats might be booked. If you do want to purchase seats for them you will need to pay both the base fare and the limited express surcharge. 🌺 Heidi

[@squasherpunk]

@@KenshoQuest Thank you so much! Looking fwd to the next video!

[@tulikasipani233]

Hello Again ! Should i stay in Odawara if i wish to use 3 day hakone pass from Shinzuku, and than 3rd day evening take shinkansen from Odawara to Osaka. Kindly suggest the best location to stay in order to cover both hakone free pass area along with convenience.. Travelling to 2 kids. Thanks in advance,

[@KenshoQuest]

I really like staying in the Gora area of Hakone, since it is convenient to reach museums and onsens. It only takes about 15 minutes to get from Hakone-Yumoto Station to Odawara Station by train. 🌸 Heidi

[@adamsmith5262]

@@KenshoQuestis staying from hakone Yamoto station area ok? how did you travel for the hakone Yamoto station to Gora? Free bus or taxi taking into account luggage? Just following this thread I didn’t know you can travel from here to Osaka as we were planning to travel back to Tokyo to go onto Osaka but this would mean more travel. If so can you help? Great content!

[@ririnmalau4677]

Hi, if I want to gotemba, the bus is also free, right? Bus to gotemba also included in hakone pass?

[@KenshoQuest]

Yes, the bus to Gotemba is also included in the Hakone Free Pass.

[@nikosrousiotis6088]

Hi there. . .we are a couple from Greece and we will be in Japan from 3-20/10 Start at 3/10 from Okinawa... next stop Fukuoka at 5/10 and we want to go 5-8/10 Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, 8-14/10 Kobe, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, 14-20/10 Mt Fuji and finally Tokyo!! What do you suggest for train's pass? It's a good idea the 14day JR pass? We would like if you have anything else to suggest for the initerary 😁😉

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. Yes, for that long of a trip and far of distances we recommend the 14 JR Pass. Especially since you can take advantage of current prices by ordering your passes by 30th September 2023. When headed towards My Fuji, you can take a Shinkansen bullet train as far as Odawara Station. Where exactly do you plan to visit near Mt Fuji? We appreciate when you book through our affiliate link: kenshoquest.com/recommends/klook-jr-pass/

[@hi88667]

Hi! When reserving a session at Hakone Gora Crafthouse on Jalan, it says I must have a japanese address. Is there anyway to get around that?

[@KenshoQuest]

They probably need an address where they can send your finished product. Will you be in Japan for a while afterwards? Maybe you can use your hotel address, if you will stay at one hotel for a week or so. We had our finished products sent to our friend’s house in Japan.

[@hi88667]

@@KenshoQuest Thank you so much! I will try that.

[@wt7668]

Is the hakone free pass only from Tokyo? What if we want to go to hakone from Osaka, what kind of pass should we buy? Thanks 😊

[@KenshoQuest]

The options are either from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo or starting from Odawara Station.

[@arnoldvirrey7921]

Followed the link to Klook to purchase the 2day Hakone freepass but didn't see any options on how to upgrade to the Romance car. We may have missed it also from your other Hakone related videos but I don't think it was clearly explained how to upgrade to Romance car unless I suppose if we're getting the tickets from Shinjuko and not using Klook.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. When you visit the Odakyu Sightseeing Services Center at Shinjuku Station to pick up your Hakone Free Pass, you can also pay to upgrade to the Romancecar. That's the easiest way. It may also be possible to pay the 1,200 Yen "limited express surcharge" online or through a ticketing machine, but that's a little more complicated, as you don't want to pay the regular base fare, since that is already included in the pass. Here's the info: www.odakyu.jp/english/romancecar/surcharges/

[@arnoldvirrey7921]

@@KenshoQuest Thank you so very much. This is extremely helpful. Already placed 3 two day passes on Klook using your link!

[@KenshoQuest]

@@arnoldvirrey7921 Thanks for using our link! It’s much appreciated.

[@averageguy1261]

Do you recommend as a first time visit as a family?

[@KenshoQuest]

Yes! We really enjoyed Hakone and will return again with our family. Our kids especially liked the Hakone Open Air Museum. 🌸 Heidi

[@mskaresse]

For the 2 day pass, can we use the rountrip from shinjuku to Hakone for both days or is it only 1 round trip ticket?

[@KenshoQuest]

It’s only one round trip Shinjuku to Hakone. Once you reach Odawara Station you’re within the area where unlimited rides apply. Here’s my Guide to Hakone Free Pass: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqHYeIiVZ9-Bq7Msi=SRCd7laAW_ssCzG0

[@mskaresse]

@@KenshoQuest thank you so much!!

[@sicatrobin4697]

hi, I have JR pass, but would like to book via Klook for hakone pass, as per my understanding, I can only get the ticket via shinjuku station, is there shinkansen going to shinjuku? Pls advise :)

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, I'm sorry but no. You will need to get to Shinjuku station via a local or express train. Where are you coming from? Regardless, if you are in Tokyo you can ride the the Chuo line or Yamanote line which is included with the JR Pass to get to Shinjuku Station.

[@sicatrobin4697]

@@KenshoQuest thank you very much. Lastly,all chuo line and yamanote line are JR covered?

[@KenshoQuest]

@@sicatrobin4697 In Tokyo Yamanote for sure, I believe chuo as well. I recommend installing the Japan Travel Navitime app, it shows all the routes :)

[@marcelamonroy4425]

Hi amazing video. I’m going with my husband and 15 years old son. My hotel is near imperial palace in Tokyo. So which way is the best for me to go to hakone for 1 day ? Than you so much.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. Since you are coming from Tokyo, I would purchase the Hakone Free Pass that includes round-trip from Shinjuku in Tokyo to Hakone. You can buy the 2 day pass but use it for one day. Here's our affiliate link to purchase: kenshoquest.com/recommends/hakone-free-pass/ And here is my complete Guide to Harkone Free Pass: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqHYeIiVZ9-Bq7M

[@jennyli7144]

We are coming from Kyoto, staying at Mikawaya Ryoken, overnight, we have the 2 day pass and then need to get to HND for a just after midnight flight. Are we best dropping off our luggage first at the hotel. The rest of our Japan trip I feel really comfortable with having watched lots of your KZbin clips, but am getting really confused and stressed about this part. Any tips please?

[@KenshoQuest]

@@jennyli7144 Hi. Will you be using a Japan Rail Pass on your trip? When coming from Kyoto, the bullet trains can take you as far as Odawara Station, and then it’s slower trains to get the rest of the way to Hakone-Yumoto Station. If you want to do the sightseeing loop the day you arrive in Hakone, when you get to Hakone-Yumoto Station you can use the luggage delivery service to have your suitcase shipped to your Ryokan. (Maybe double check with your Ryokan, but I’m pretty sure this will work.) If you follow the sightseeing loop I explained in the other video, after you’ve taken the cable car down the hill to Gora Station, you can head to your Ryokan, rather than returning to Hakone-Yumoto Station. When it’s time to head from Hakone to Haneda, it can take a couple hours, depending upon how fast of trains you take.

[@jennyli7144]

@@KenshoQuest thank you so much for taking the time to reply, it is really appreciated. Our agent has booked individual tickets as the JR pass isn’t worth it for our schedule, but checking the itinerary it says the tickets will be Kyoto to Hakone Yumoto station. I have watched your other video previously but will watch it again. 😊

[@KenshoQuest]

Yes, Hakone-Yumoto station is right. That's where you can get on a bus to start the sightseeing loop.@@jennyli7144

[@ninjaleyna]

Hi, how long is the walk from Hakone Checkpoint to Motohakone-ko?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, it depends on your walking speed and if you have little kids ;) But in general 15-20 miniutes. It's a nice walk though part of it is on the road and part along cedar trees.

[@ninjaleyna]

@@KenshoQuestThank you for the info. Also, how long does it take to do the entire 1-day sightseeing loop?

[@KenshoQuest]

@@ninjaleyna It just depends how many places you stop (Shrine, lunch, Gora Park), and how long you stay at each.

[@ninjaleyna]

@@KenshoQuest we finally did the loop yesterday. Took us basically the whole day to go through all the stops, lunch, and open air museum. Thank you for your guide.

[@KenshoQuest]

@@ninjaleyna I’m glad you were able to do the whole loop, including the Open Air Museum!

[@Kikaidamashou]

Hi @kenshoQuest it's me yet again. Haha. So I already prebought my romance train car tickets going from Shinjuku > Hakone. And another set of romance train car tickets going from Hakone > Shinjuku because we really wanted to choose our seats. And now I'm stuck with which Hakone Free Pass I need to buy. I am extremely confused and I'm getting different answers online. Please help! Do I buy the "2 days - Hakone Area + Odakyu Line Round trip ticket" OR the "2 days - Hakone Area Only" I cannot for the life of me understand the difference.

[@KenshoQuest]

When you purchased the Romancecar Shinjuku > Hakone, did you pay both the base fare and the limited express surcharge (1,270+1,200)? If so, you want the “2 Day - Hakone Area Only”. If you only paid the 1,200 Yen (per person per direction) surcharge, then you would want the pass that includes the round trip.

[@Kikaidamashou]

@@KenshoQuest I’m so confused which one I bought. For two adults and two kids total came out to 3,460 yen. I didn’t see any option to really “choose” what tickets. :( it was just one type from the Odakyu e-ticket site.

[@KenshoQuest]

Based on that, it sounds like you purchased just the "limited express surcharge" for the Romancecar. It would normally be 3,600 Yen per direction for 2 adults and 2 kids. I think you got a small discount by purchasing through the Odakyu website. So you would want the "2 days - Hakone Area + Odakyu Line Round trip ticket". That includes just the base fare for the round trip from Shinjuku. Here's our affiliate link for the pass that includes the round trip: kenshoquest.com/recommends/hakone-free-pass/ @@Kikaidamashou

[@Kikaidamashou]

@@KenshoQuest OH! So the "2-day Hakone Area + Odakyu Round Trip" one is needed because it covers the base fare and so I won't need my IC card? Ah I was thinking I didn't need this pass option because i was thinking it was asking if I was needing a 'round trip' using the slower Odakyu commuter train. And I thought "I'm riding the romance train instead so I don't require the roundtrip" So if I bought just the 2-day Hakone Area Only then I'll need to use my IC card to cover the base fare?

[@KenshoQuest]

Correct. And if you pay the base fare with your IC card, you won't receive the discounted price for the round trip that the pass provides. Here's the website that breaks down the fares: www.odakyu.jp/english/romancecar/surcharges/ I also just thought of something else. Only the two adults and 6 year old need a Hakone Free Pass. Your 3 year old does not. So you'll need to somehow pay the base fare for him/her. You might want to rewatch this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqHYeIiVZ9-Bq7Msi=FGrEueTe1ySZUE4T @@Kikaidamashou