Hakone Tozan Railway are suspended due to the damage by the typhoon on October 13th, 2019. According to the official announcement, it will be open sometimes in fall 2020. Please check the status in Hakone Navi.
Hakone is very popular spot. It is 1.5 hours away from Tokyo by train and bus. Many travelers want to visit there as day trip from Tokyo. Hakone is located on the way to Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya from Tokyo. You may add Hakone between Tokyo and Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya.
I have received many inquiries about the trip plan to Hakone. I would like to show you the various trip plans to Hakone. I hope you will find the trip plan which you need in this post.
How to access to Hakone
First of all, I would like to explain about the access to Hakone. There are several ways to get there. When you choose the way to Hakone, you have to consider which pass you will use. The way of the access to Hakone is varied by the deal.
Access to Hakone-Yumoto from Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Yokohama, Haneda airport
Hakone-Yumoto is located at the base of Hakone. Hakone-Yumoto is also known as one of the biggest hot springs towns in Hakone.
You may get Hakone from many stations in Tokyo area. There are several routes to get Hakone. Before choosing the route, you have to make sure which pass you use or do not intend to use any passes. The route is varied by the pass. I would like to show you the best and most cost efficient way.
Access to Hakone from Tokyo by JR Pass
If you have JR pass, you can take Shinkansen from Tokyo or Shinagawa to Odawara. This Shinkansen ride is covered by JR pass.
If you stay in other than Tokyo or Shinagawa stations, you can use JR pass to take JR local train, such as Yamanote line to get these stations. You may find the information about the JR train network in downtown Tokyo in the post below:
In this trip, you may purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara station and change the trains at Odawara.
JR pass does not help any rides after Odawara. Please see the link below to find more information about Odawara station.
Your trip schedule is the following:
Tokyo or Shinagawa (About 40 minutes by the Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari or Kodama) Odawara
Purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara station. Two days pass is 4,000 yen. One day pass is not available. Even if you have one day trip, two days pass is still cheaper than regular fare.
Odawara (15 minutes by Odakyu Railway) Hakone-Yumoto
After arriving at Hakone-Yumoto, follow the sample itinerary of Hakone which I will explain you later in this post.
The last Shinkansen train to Tokyo depart from Odawara at 22:51. Actually there is one more local train from Odawara later than this train which is departing from Odawara at 23:10. So you can stay Hakone-Yumoto until late night. Please see the links below to find Odakyu railway and Shinkansen timetable:
JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable
Hakone Navi – Transportation guide and the timetable
Access to Hakone from Yokohama by JR Pass
If you have JR pass, the Shinkansen ride is covered as I mentioned above. But the Shinkansen station in Yokohama is Shin-Yokohama. It is about 20 minutes away from Yokohama station by JR local train. If you stay in the bay area of Yokohama, you will spend another 10 minutes to get Yokohama station.
It takes 10 minutes by Yokohama city subway but this subway is not covered by JR pass. And also you spend at least 10 minutes to transfer at Shin-Yokohama from either JR local train or Yokohama city subway. The Shinkansen is not the best way from Yokohama to Odawara even though JR pass covers it. I recommend you to take the limited express Odoriko from Yokohama to Odawara. The limited express Super View Odoriko runs on same route and has nice interior. But this train does not stop at Odawara. The limited express Odoriko is covered by JR pass and you can get Odawara directly. The access to Shin-Yokohama is not required if you take the limited express Odoriko.
In this trip, you purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara station. JR pass does not help any rides after Odawara.
Your trip schedule is the following:
Yokohama (About 40 minutes by the limited express Odoriko) Odawara
Purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara station. Two days pass is 4,000 yen. One day pass is not available. Even if you have one day trip, two days pass is still cheaper than regular fare.
Odawara (Trip time 15 minutes by Odakyu Railway) Hakone-Yumoto
After arriving at Hakone-Yumoto, follow the sample itinerary of Hakone above.
It is hard to catch Odoriko on the way back. Because the last scheduled Odoriko leave from Odawara before 17:00. There are some more seasonal operation’s Odoriko running after 17:00. You may catch one of those trains. Please find the timetable in the links below:
Hakone Navi – Transportation guide and the timetable
JR East official site – the timetable
If you cannot take any Odoriko, you can catch the ordinary train. These trains are called Tokyo-Ueno line.
This is a sort of commute trains. Do not expect a nice comfort seat. It has a long bench seat. You may have to stand up. This train runs very frequently until 23:00. It depart from Odawara station every 10 to 20 minutes. You do not need to check the timetable. Just go to Odawara station and check the departure information board.
Most of ordinary train have green seat. If you use JR Pass Green, it is covered. The seat is much better than regular seat.
Even if you do not use Green pass, you can pay some extra to take this seat. The extra fee is starting from 570 yen. It is varied by the day (weekday or weekend) and the distance.
If you do not want to take the ordinary train, you can take the Shinkansen. But you need to change the trains at Shin-Yokohama station. The trip time may be longer.
Access to Hakone from Tokyo, Shinagawa, Yokohama by JR East Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass
If you use Tokyo Wide Pass or JR East Pass, you can use it to get Odawara as well.
These passes are issued by JR East. The Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Odawara belongs to JR Central. It is same JR group but it is technically different company from JR East. That is why these passes do not cover Shinkansen between Tokyo and Odawara. The choice for these passes is same as above which is the limited express Odoriko. You can catch Odoriko at Tokyo, Shinagawa or Yokohama. The schedule is the following:
Tokyo, Shinagawa, Yokohama (About 40 to 60 minutes by the limited express Odoriko) Odawara
Purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara station. Two days pass is 4,000 yen. One day pass is not available. Even if you have one day trip, two days pass is still cheaper than regular fare.
Odawara (Trip time 15 minutes by Odakyu Railway) Hakone-Yumoto
After arriving at Hakone-Yumoto, follow the sample itinerary of Hakone above.
On the way back to Tokyo, you can use same way as the chapter above, “Access to Hakone from Yokohama by JR Pass”.
Access to Hakone from Shinjuku by Odakyu Railway
If you do not use JR Pass, JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass or JR-East South Hokkaido Rail Pass, you can simply start to use Hakone Free Pass from Shinjuku. Odakyu Railway connects Shinjuku and Hakone-Yumoto. If you pay extra on top of Hakone Free Pass to take the limited express train, “Romancecar”, you can get Hakone-Yumoto directly. Transfer at Odawara station is not required. You can find how much limited express surcharge is in the link below:
Odakyu Railway – Romancecar surcharge
The base fare is included in Hakone Free Pass. You just requires the limited express surcharge on top of Hakone Free Pass. If you take Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, the extra cost is 890 yen for one way.
If you want to save your budget, you can take the ordinary train. Odakyu Railway operates a few kinds of the ordinary trains. The Rapid Express is the fastest train in all ordinary trains. You can take this train by Hakone Free Pass without any extra. However you need to change the trains at Odawara station. You cannot get Hakone-Yumoto directly. In Odawara station, you just need to change to the local train to Hakone-Yumoto. You do not need to exit the station because you already have Hakone Free Pass.
The trip time is also different between Romancecar and Rapid train.
By Romancecar
Shinjuku (Trip time 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes) Hakone-Yumoto
By ordinary trains (rapid Express and local train)
Shinjuku (Trip time 1.5 hours) Odawara (Trip time 15 minutes) + the transfer time in Odawara station
The train connection is very smooth at Odawara station. You usually spend around 10 minutes. You do not spend many minutes to transfer at Odawara station. Roughly speaking, the trip time difference between Romancecar and ordinary trains is around 30 minutes.
The accommodation is very different. The Rapid Express is a sort of commute trains. You may need to stand up.
Romancecar offers nice comfortable seat. All seats are reserved.
Romancecar is the best way to get Hakone in my opinion.
Access to Hakone from Tokyo, Yokohama and Haneda airport by Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus
If you do not use any passes, the express bus is your choice too. This bus takes you to many places in Hakone directly. Please see the link below to find the information:
Especially if you arrive in Haneda and access to Hakone right after the arrival, this express bus is most convenient way. You can get Hakone-Yumoto directly.
Most routes of this express bus is NOT covered by Hakone Free Pass. Hakone Free Pass covers only the route in Hakone, such as Gotemba to Togendai segment.
Hakone Free Pass is sold at many places in Hakone, such as Hakone-Yumoto station, Hakone Tozan Bus Togendai info booth, Motohakone info both.
How to add Hakone between Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto/Nagoya
The gateway to Odawara is located between Tokyo and Nagoya. You can drop by Hakone on the way or the way back. You also can access to Hakone from Mishima too. I would like to show several ways to get Hakone between Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto/Nagoya.
Tokyo to/from Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka with stop at Odawara or Mishima by JR pass
As I wrote above, you can access to Odawara by the Tokaido Shinkansen. The Tokaido Shinkansen connects Tokyo, Odawara, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka. It is quite easy to squeeze. You can access to Hakone from Mishima. Please see the route map below:
Mishima is two stations closer to Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka than Odawara. If you intend to stay overnight around Lake Ashi, Mishima is more convenient than Odawara. You can get Hakone Free Pass at Mishima station too. Tokai Bus connects Mishima, Motohakone and Hakonemachi. Tokai Bus is fully covered by Hakone Free Pass too. You can find the information about Mishima station in the post below:
You can find some “Hikari” which is the faster train on Shinkansen line to stop at Odawara. You may get Odawara or Mishima from Kyoto or Shin-Osaka by this Hikari directly. Hikari is covered by JR pass fully. You take this type of Hikari from Tokyo or Shinagawa. But trip time is not much different by the slowest Shinkansen train “Kodama”.
Please see the link below to find the Shinkansen timetable in the link below:
JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable
Yokohama to/from Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka with stop at Odawara or Mishima by JR Pass
As I mentioned above, the trains on the ordinary line, like the limited express Odoriko, Tokyo-Ueno line are faster and more convenient in most of cases. You can take Shinkansen between Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka and Mishima or Odawara. But I recommend you take the limited express Odoriko or Tokyo-Ueno line. Of course, if you want, you can take the Shinkansen between Odawara and Shin-Yokohama, and then take Yokohama line local or rapid train from Shin-Yokohama to Yokohama.
Tokyo to/from Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka with stop at Odawara or Mishima by regular ticket
If you do not use JR pass, you can take any trains. Odakyu Railway is most convenient if you stay in west side of downtown, such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro. You can take Odakyu railway between Shinjuku and Hakone-Yumoto.
You may take Shinkansen anyway between Odawara (or Mishima) and Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka. You need the following tickets and deal:
Odakyu Railway base fare ticket for Shinjuku to/from Odawara (and Romancecar surcharge if you want to take Romancecar)
Hakone Free Pass (Odawara departure)
JR base fare ticket and Shinkansen seat fee ticket for Odawara (or Mishima) to/from Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka
All fares and train timetables can be found at Hyperdia:
If you stay in east side of downtown Tokyo, such as Ueno, Tokyo, Shinagawa, you may take same route as JR pass. You can take the Shinkansen from Tokyo or Shinagawa to Odawara. In this case, you can use same base fare ticket for Tokyo to Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka. You can make a stopover at Odawara. But you need Shinkansen seat fee ticket for each segment, Tokyo to Odawara and Odawara to Nagoya, Kyoto or Shin-Osaka. You can find more information in the link below:
Access to Hakone from Lake Kawaguchi or Lake Yamanaka
You may visit Hakone after/before visiting Lake Kawaguchi or Lake Yamanaka area. You can combine Hakone and these places in one trip. Please see the link below how you can access between these places in the link below:
You have completed to learn about the access to Hakone. Now I would like to show you the sample itinerary.
Hakone day trip from Hakone-Yumoto to Hakone-Yumoto
I would like to show you the sample itinerary which departs from Hakone-Yumoto. You may add this sample itinerary on your way to Hakone which I have already explained above.
Hakone Free Pass
Hakone Free Pass covers whole part of trip in Hakone. You should have this pass for sightseeing in Hakone. You can purchase Hakone Free Pass at most of stations on Odakyu Railway, such as Shinjuku, Odawara, Hakone-Yumoto. And also you can get this pass at most of information center in Hakone, such as Togendai, Motohakone. Please refer the link below to find the detailed information about Hakone Free Pass.
Hakone Free Pass official site
The minimum duration of Hakone Free Pass is 2 days. However you can get the worth of it by day trip easily if you visit whole part of Hakone.
You can purchase Hakone Free Pass at the various places, such as Shinjuku, Odawara, Hakone-Yumoto, Togendai.
Basic sample itinerary from Hakone-Yumoto to Hakone-Yumoto
Hakone-Yumoto is one of the biggest town in Hakone. This place is also the gateway to the core of Hakone. You start your trip in Hakone from Hakone-Yumoto if you start your trip from Tokyo or Yokohama.
Hakone-Yumoto (36 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Chokoku no Mori
Visit Hakone Open-Air Museum (1 to 1.5 hours)
Chokoku no Mori (2 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Gora (10 minutes by Hakone Tozan Cable Car) Sounzan (Trip time 8 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Owakudani
Walking in Owakudani (1 hour)
Owakudani (16 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Togendai
Lunch time at Togendai (1.5 hour)
Togendai port (30 minutes by Hakone Sightseeing Cruise) Motohakone port (10 minutes walk) Hakone Shrine
Visit Hakone Shrine and walk around the shore of Lake Ashi (1 hour)
Hakone Shrine (10 minutes walk) Hakone-Jinjamae bus stop (40 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Hakone-Yumoto
Total trip time of Hakone-Yumoto to Hakone-Yumoto is around 8 hours. You may shrink the trip time. The last train departure time is varied by your access from Tokyo. But most of trains run until late. I will tell you later but you can eat dinner at Hakone-Yumoto. You also have time to take Onsen bath at Hakone-Yumoto too even if you spend 8 hours for sightseeing.
You can take the reverse route, visiting Hakone shrine first. It is less crowded. However when the weather is good, Mt. Fuji show up just in front of you when you are on Hakone Ropeway. It is very dramatic and you will be amazed.
Sample itinerary including Gotemba Outlet from Hakone-Yumoto to Hakone-Yumoto
The above itinerary does not include Gotemba Outlet. If you want to shop at Gotemba Outlet, you have to give up some places. You may remove Hakone Open-Air Museum to make some extra time.
Hakone-Yumoto (38 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Gora (1 hour 10 minutes) Gotemba Outlet
Shop at Gotemba Outlet (2 hours)
Gotemba Outlet (36 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Sengoku-Annaijo (13 minutes by Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus) Togendai
Lunch time at Togendai (1.5 hour)
Togendai (Trip time 16 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Owakudani
Walking in Owakudani (1 hour)
Owakudani (16 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Togendai / Togendai port (30 minutes by Hakone Sightseeing Cruise) Motohakone port (10 minutes walk) Hakone Shrine
Visit Hakone Shrine and walk around the shore of Lake Ashi (1 hour)
Hakone Shrine (10 minutes walk) Hakone-Jinjamae bus stop (40 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Hakone-Yumoto
This plan is around 10.5 to 11 hours total trip time. It is much longer than the first base plan but it is still feasible. If you want to have lots of time to eat and take Onsen at the of the trip in Hakone-Yumoto, you may remove Hakone-Shrine too.
Some of you are looking for overnight stay in Hakone. I would like to show you 2 days sample itinerary too.
Extend to two days trip in Hakone
I showed day trip itinerary. But if you can stay overnight in Hakone, your trip is much slower and easier to manage. And also you can visit many more places in Hakone. In my sample itinerary, I combine these above two day trip itinerary and add some more spots.
Day 1
Hakone-Yumoto (38 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Gora (10 minutes by Hakone Tozan Cable Car) Sounzan (Trip time 8 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Owakudani
Walking in Owakudani (1 hour)
Owakudani (16 minutes by Hakone Ropeway) Togendai
Lunch time at Togendai (1.5 hour)
Togendai port (35 minutes by Hakone Sightseeing Cruise) Hakonemachi port (5 minutes by walk) Hakone Check Point
Visit Hakone Sekisho (Hakone Check Point) (30 minutes)
Hakone Check Point (10 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Hakone-Jinja-Iriguchi bus stop (10 minutes walk) Hakone Shrine
Visit Hakone Shrine and walk around the shore of Lake Ashi (1 hour)
Hakone Shrine (10 minutes walk) Hakone-Jinja-Iriguchi bus stop (40 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Hakone-Yumoto
Day 2
Hakone-Yumoto (36 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Chokoku no Mori
Visit Hakone Open-Air Museum (1 to 1.5 hours)
Chokoku no Mori (2 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Gora
Visit Gora Park (30 minutes)
Gora (20 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Hakone Glass no Mori
Visit Hakone Glass no Mori Museum (1 to 1.5 hours)
Hakone Glass no Mori (50 minutes) Gotemba Outlet
Shop and Lunch at Gotemba Outlet (As much as you want)
Gotemba Outlet (1 hour 20 minutes by Hakone Tozan Bus) Gora (38 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway) Hakone-Yumoto
*Some express bus services are available between Outlet and Hakone-Yumoto. If you can catch it, it takes one hour and no change train/bus at Gora.
This is just a sample. You can arrange whatever you want. Of course you can switch day 1 and 2.
You can stay overnight anywhere in Hakone. But Hakone-Yumoto is most recommended. You can leave your luggage until you leave Hakone on day 2. Hakone-Yumoto is connected with Shinjuku by Odakyu Railway Romancecar. It is a few stations away from Odawara. It is most convenient place in Hakone.
I hope this post will help you to build your trip plan to Hakone.
Comments
Hi Takeshi-san
Please can you have a look at my intended itinerary and see if this works and using my JR pass to the fullest?
13.12 Arriving Narita
13.12 Narita to Tokyo or Ueno (not decided yet)
14.12 Tokyo/Ueno to DisneySea
15.12 Tokyo
16.12 Tokyo/Ueno to Odawara (Activate JR 7 days pass)
16.12 Odawara to Hakone Yumoto (overnight) (by Hakone Pass)
17.12 Hakone
18.12 Hakone Yumoto to Odawara (by JR)
18.12 Odawara to Nagoya (by JR)
18.12 Nagoya to Takayama (by JR)
19.12 Takayama to Shiragawago (overnight) (Nohi Bus)
20.12 Shiragawago to Takayama (Nohi Bus)
21.12 Takayama to Nagoya (by JR?)
22.12 Nagoya
23.12 Nagoya station to Meitetsunagoya station (by JR?)
23.12 Meitetsunagoya station to Airport (by JR?)
Questions
1) Is it worth getting the 7 days pass? I will activate it on 16dec when I go Odawara and ends on 23dec when I leave Nagoya to Airport.
2) Hakone Pass – do you suggest I get 2 or 3 days pass?
3) How do I make reservation for all the sectors? Since I have a few days in Tokyo/Ueno, can I just go to any JR station and book ALL the upcoming trips in one go?
4) Whats the best way to go Nagoya airport on 23 Dec as my flight is departing at 10am.
Thank you. I look forward to your reply.
Regards
Shirley
Hi Shirley san,
1. I don’t think you can get the worth of it. The total fares for Tokyo-Odawara, Odawara-Nagoya-Takayama, Takayama-Nagoya is around 26,000 yen. You cannot use JR pass for Nagoya to Nagoya airport. You will take Meitetsu railway which is not covered by JR pass. You may start using it on 15th when you are in Tokyo. You can use JR pass to ride JR local train. But it’s hard to get the worth of 3,000 yen by local train ride. I recommend you to use the following deals:
Narita access + subway deal for 13 to 15
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/airport_bus/index.html
Regular fare ticket for Tokyo to Odawara, Odawara to Nagoya, Nagoya to Nagoya airport
Hakone Free Pass
Takayama Hokuriku area pass for Nagoya-Takayama-Shirakawago-Takayama-Nagoya
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
This pass covers Nohi bus which is not covered by JR pass.
2. If you still see some spots on 18th, you can go for 3 days Hakone Free Pass. Otherwise 2 days is fine.
3. You can exchange Takayama Hokuriku area pass in Tokyo. You can book a train seat when you exchange the pass:
http://touristpass.jp/en/takayama_hokuriku/exchange/
You have to make a call to book Nohi bus. I recommend you to make an overseas call before you leave. Takayama-Shirakawago bus is always busy. You can find a phone number in the link below:
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf
4. You can take either bus or train:
http://www.meitetsu-bus.co.jp/english/area/centrair.html
https://www.meitetsu.co.jp/eng/timetable/centrair.asp
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
I have added one more sector from Nagoya to Narita. Is it worth to do the 7 days or 14 days pass? If I do 7 days, which day should I activate?
13.12 Arriving Narita
13.12 Narita to Ueno (Can I start using JR Pass here?)
14.12 Ueno to Maihama (DisneySea)
15.12 Ueno
16.12 Ueno to Odawara (By JR)
16.12 Odawara to Hakone Yumoto (overnight) (by Hakone Pass)
17.12 Hakone
18.12 Hakone Yumoto to Odawara (by Hakone Pass)
18.12 Odawara to Nagoya (by JR)
18.12 Nagoya to Takayama (by JR)
19.12 Takayama to Shiragawago (overnight) (Nohi Bus)
20.12 Shiragawago to Takayama (Nohi Bus)
21.12 Takayama to Nagoya (by JR)
22.12 Nagoya
23.12 Nagoya to Narita (by JR)
Hi Shirley san,
14 days pass is too expensive. 7 days pass is okay for the last 7 days of your trip. You will start using it on 17th but JR Pass does not help in Hakone at all. It will cover from 17th to 23rd but you will start using it on 18th when you leave Odawara.
You may use Keisei railway for Narita to Ueno. Regular fare ticket iw your choice for the rest of days except Hakone area
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
May I check what is the best route to travel from Nagoya to Narita town utilising my JR pass? I understand it doesnt cover all the way to Narita but at least using the JR to the furthest and the shorter connection I can use local train.
I am staying one night at the airport area before flying out from NRT terminal 1.
Hi Shirley san,
I think you can get Narita city by JR pass. You route is the following:
Shinkansen for Tokyo from Narita
Rapid train for Chiba from Tokyo
Local train for Narita from Chiba
All trains are JR lines and those are covered by JR pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
I would like to know if it’s possible to take the romance car back from Gotemba to Shinjuku using the Hakone freepass? I understand that there will be an additional fee if it’s possible. Thank you.
With regards
CL
Hi CL san,
I’m not 100% sure, but I think if you add the fare for Gotemba to Matsuda, you can take Romancecar. Because this segment is JR line, not Odakyu railway. But this pass may cover only Odawara to/from Shinjuku only. If you do this, please make sure it when you purchase a pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JRPail.com
Hi, Takeshi-san,
I am planning to go Japan on 10-24 Dec 2018.
I will be staying at Shinjuku for 1 night and on 11 Dec to collect the Hakone free pass at Shinjuku station.
From Shinjuku station, I will be travelling as the following itnerary :
10 Dec – Shinjuku
11 Dec – 14 Dec staying at Maihama station area (Disneyland & Sea)
14 Dec – Depart from Maihama station and go to Hakone (day 1), stay 1 night at Hakone
15 Dec : Hakone Day 2 and visit Gotemba and back to Tokyo
16 Dec : Mt Takao day trip
17-18 Dec : Tokyo Town area (Shinjuku/Shibuya/Tokyo stn)
19 Dec : Yokohama (Day trip), stay Shinjuku
20 Dec – Tokyo town area
21 Dec – Jogashima (1 day trip)
22 Dec – Odaiba
23 Dec – Ueno
24 Dec – Depart Japan
1. Do I need to buy any JR pass/Tokyo wide pass?
2. Or is it better to buy Seishun 18 Kippu?
2. Is the itinerary viable or any amendment or change needed?
Thank you in adv for your help.
Jane
Hi Jane san,
Your itinerary looks good. You may keep this.
I don’t think you can get the worth of any passes. JR Pass is too expensive. You cannot get the worth of even Tokyo Wide Pass or Seishun 18 kippu. You may use Tokyo Subway Ticket for staying in Tokyo.
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/travel/index.html
If you arrive in Haneda or Narita, combo deal (access airport and subway ticket) is available:
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/airport_bus/index.html
For trip to Yokohama, please check the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/yokohama-and-kamakura-access-guide-find-the-right-deal-and-route-from-your-place-to-stay.html
For trip to Jogashima, if you are interested in Maguro (tuna) meal, you can use Misaki Maguro Day Trip Ticket.
http://www.haneda-tokyo-access.com/en/info/discountticket.html
Otherwise you may use Suica or Pasmo instead of using a regular ticket:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/what-is-ic-card-suica-icoca-pasmo-how-to-use-these-cards.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-San,
Thank you so much for your advice.
What is your opinion on combining Yokohama and Jogashima to 2 days trip and stay at Yokohama or back and forth Shinkuju for these 2 areas?
Thanks again for your help.
Regards,
Jane
Hi Jane,
You can do it. But Yokohama is only 30 minutes away from Shinjuku or Tokyo by JR train rapid train. If you want to stay in same place as much as you want and avoid to take trains with luggage, you may stay in Tokyo and make two day trip. If you want to stay in different place, you can stay in Yokohama too. It’s totally up to you.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-San,
Thank you so much for your advice.
Have a nice day.
Regards, Jane
No worries, Jane san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi
My family of 8 members will be arriving Japan for 14 days trip –
13 Dec – Arrive Narita airport in the morning 7.30am, staying at the area of Ohara, Setagaya for 4 nights
17 Dec – Leaving for Hakone for 3 days 2 nights, staying near Hakone Yumoto Station. We opt for Romancecar from Shinjuku. We will be leaving for Nagoya on 19 Dec at 3.33pm, not sure should I buy 2 or 3 days Hakone Free Pass. Please advise
19 Dec – Nagoya for 4 nights and staying near the area of Nakamura Koen Station. Places to visit Nara, Kiso Valley etc…..and may be Kyoto (or we will do it when we are in Osaka)
23 Dec – Arriving Osaka for 3 nights and staying around the area of Daikoku, Naniwa-Ku area
26 Dec – Morning flight at 9.55am to Kansai Int Airport to fly home
For the above itineraries, is it worth to get a 7 days JR Pass and if so, which day to start? Or any Pass that you can recommend for my itineraries?
Grateful for your advice.
Hi Amy,
First of all, trip to Nara from Nagoya is not a good idea. It’s 45 minutes away from Kyoto or Osaka. Trip to Kyoto from Osaka is easier than from Nagoya too. You should visit these places from Osaka. And then shorten staying in Nagoya and extend staying in Osaka because if you have two days trip from Osaka to Kyoto/Nara, you don’t have enough time to see Osaka.
If you cannot extend staying in Osaka and you really need to visit Kyoto and Nara from Nagoya, JR Pass is your option. Because you will take Shinkansen between Nagoya and Kyoto twice. You can get the worth of it. If you use JR pass, you can start using on December 19th. You can take subway and Nankai railway deal from Daikokucho to KIX.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
If you visit somewhere in Hakone on 19th, 3 days Hakone free pass is recommended. If you use 2 days pass, you have to pay a regular fare for Hakone-Yumoto to Odawara which is 310 yen. If you have Hakone Free Pass, it’s covered. And the difference between 2 days pass and 3 days pass is only 500 yen. 3 days is better choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much Takeshi for your advice.
Cheers!
Amy
No worries, Amy.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Refer to earlier enquiry on 5 Aug, would like to find out further for my stay in Tokyo and moving around Tokyo before leaving for Hakone/Nagoya/Osaka, should I buy Tokyo Subway Ticket only or I should have both Tokyo Subway Ticket and Suica? In your post you have mentioned ICOCA can add on other passes in Nagoya and Osaka… I am still blur about it whether Suica can do the same like ICOCA. Kindly advise.
Regards
Amy
Hi Amy,
Subway covers most part of downtown Tokyo. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
If you need to ride other than subway lots, such as travel to Odaiba, Suica may help your trip. If you have Suica, you don’t need ICOCA. You can use Suica in Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka and other major cities. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/what-is-ic-card-suica-icoca-pasmo-how-to-use-these-cards.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
HI Takeshi,
we plan to spend 6 days in tokyo end of june, we want to visit mt fuji, Gotemba premium outlet, and disneysea. Should i get tokyo wide pass?
We arrived in the evening in Narita, is it recommended to use the pass next morning (Day2), or should i use it immediately from airport to my hotel in higashi shinjuku?
Let say if i use the tokyo wide pass from day1 to 3, what should i use for day4-6 if we just travel around tokyo and finally back to narita?
thanks for your advice
Hi David,
You may use Tokyo Wide Pass for day 4 to 6. And use this pass for trip to Fuji (Lake Kawaguchi), Disneysea and go back to Narita.
For day 1 and 2, you may use Narita Access and subway pass deal. Please see the link below:
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/airport_bus/index.html
For trip to Gotemba, you can take a bus.
https://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/en/gotemba/access/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, it is my first time in Japan with 3 young children and I am thinking of taking the Romance Car to Hakone. I wish to take the Hakone Ropeway for sightseeing only and then go to Gotemba outlet. We will then return to Shinjuku from Gotemba. May I know if this is possible?
Hi Kayliz,
Yes, it is possible.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi San.
We have some question for you:
1. If we buy JR Pass for one week while we arrive Narita and
We will arrive Narita 4th July.
Leave Narita 13rd July.
Is it possible use JR Pass on 6th July until 13rd July?
2. Can we use JR Pass from Tokyo to Osaka by Shinkansen for 4 trips?
3. If we have 2 days to go to Mount Fuji and Hakone, would you show us how to manage this.
And sich better place for us to atau over night? according to budget?
Your guidance will help us.
Best regards…
Hi Gesang san,
1. Yes, you can. You can choose the date when you can start using it.
2. Yes. JR Pass offers unlimited ride.
3. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/fuji-and-hakone-two-days-trip-sample-itinerary-spring-version.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I need some some advice and guidance from you. It will be our first visit to Japan from 21-31 Jul 2018. 2 adults and 1 infant. We will reach Haneda Airport at 4pm. My intention was to visit Mount Fuji to spend 2-3 nights then spend rest of nights in Tokyo.
1. As we are reaching at 4pm, is the last Odakyu direct bus from Haneda to Hakone at 4.20pm? Do you think we can make it?
2. If we are unable to catch that last direct bus, what other fast and cheap way we should use?
Hi Shanne san,
I don’t think so. You have to go to Shinjuku to catch the bus or Odakyu train. You may use Hakone Free Pass or Fuji Hakone Pass.
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/fujihakone/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi-san,
I am planning a trip to Mt Fuji from Osama. Below is my itinerary:
31 Mar – Travel from Osaka to Kawaguchiko
Visit Lake Kawaguchi and Chureito Pagoda
01 Apr – Visit Hakone
02 Apr – Travel from Kawaguchiko to Ikebukuro, Tokyo
What pass should i get and where can i buy the shinkansen ticket?
Thank you.
Hi Tracy san,
I have already replied to your inquiry in the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html/comment-page-15#comment-282457
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, Mr Takeshi,
I am JL. Sorry to bother you again. I would like to ask you 2 questions. I am going on a day trip to Hakone.
1) I’ll be using my JR Pass from Shinjuku to Odawara on 3rd Mar 2018, and would like to take the 8.04am Shinjuku JR to Odawara station via Shinagawa station. May I know the tranfer at Shinagawa staion @ 08:23 to SHINKANSEN KODAMA 639 @ 08:34, is the walking to the train far apart from each other? Do I have to reserve the seats? From Odawara station, I shall purchase the Hakone Free Pass @ 4000yen, am I right?
2) My friends do not have JR Pass. They will buy Hakone Free Pass directly from Shinjuku Station. My question is, should I follow them to purchase from Shinjuku instead and not using my JR Pass. Is it worth for me or am I paying even more? If for the case that I use JR Pass to Odawara station, and they purchase directly from Shinjuku, will we be able to explore Hakone together once we get there?
Hope my question won’t confuse you. Thank you for your kind help.
Best Regards
JL
Hi JL,
1. You can make it in 11 minutes.
REservation is not required to take Kodama because it has lots of non reserved seat. Of course you can book if you want. If you want to book a seat, you may book it in advance at Shinjuku or other stations.
2. If you want to travel with your friend from the beginning to the end, you should purchase Hakone free pass. If you add some more fares to take Romancecar, you can get Hakone-Yumoto directly from Shinjuku. It’s more convenient.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Mr Takeshi,
Thank you very much for your prompt attention as usual.
Cheers
JL
No worries, JL.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com