Odawara station guide. How to change the train to Hakone.

Mt. Fuji and Hakone
2014.04.30
Hakone 075

Odawara is the gateway to the one of most well known Onsen resort, Hakone. If you take JR trains, you have to change the trains to Hakone at this station, Odawara. Odawara station is not a mega terminal station. But there is JR Tokaido line, Shinkansen and Odakyu/Hakone Tozan Railway. It may make you be confused.

In this post, I show you many images of all transfer exit, ticket gates and platforms. You will find how to transfer the train at this station, Odawara.

Station structure, tracks and platforms

Please see the map below.

Odawara station map (click to enlarge)
Odawara station map (click to view large)

You also can get a map at JR East official site (English).

At Odawara station, there are four railway companies, Izu-Hakone Railway Daiyuzan line, JR Tokaido line, Odakyu / Hakone Tozan Railway, and JR Tokaido Shinkansen. Most of you do not need to take Izu-Hakone Railway Daiyuzan line. This railway actually does not go either Hakone and Izu. I explain for other three railways in this post because Izu-Hakone Railway is a commute line for locals.

* Strictly speaking, Odakyu Railway and Hakone Tozan Railway are the different railway companies. However Odakyu Railway is the parent company of Hakone Tozan Railway. And the segment between Odawara and Hakone-Yumoto belongs to Hakone Tozan Raliway. However all trains are operated by Odakyu Railway’s fleets. So you can think Odakyu and Hakone Tozan Railway are the same company.

On the ground floor, there are Tokaido line platforms, Odakyu / Hakone Tozan Railway platforms and Shinkansen exit/ticket gate. Both JR Tokaido line and Odakyu exits/ticket gates are located at the overpass. All exits/ticket gates are connected the overpass. You can find the overpass to be shown by white shade in the station map above.

Only Shinkansen’s platform is located at overhead.

All platforms and tracks of Odawara station are the following:

Track#Lines/TrainsDestination
1,2Izu-Hakone Railway Daiyuzan lineDaiyuzan
3,4JR Tokaido lineAtami, Ito, Numazu
5,6JR Tokaido line
Ueno-Tokyo line
Shonan-Shinjku line		Tokyo, Yokohama, Shinjuku,
Shibuya, Ueno
7,11Odakyu
Hakone Tozan Railway		Hakone-Yumoto, Gora
9,10OdakyuShinjuku
13The Tokaido ShinkansenNagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka
14The Tokaido ShinkansenTokyo, Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama

Ticket gate/Exit

As you saw the map above, all railways have one ticket gate/exit. And there is Shinkansen transfer gate between Shinkansen and JR Tokaido line. If you transfer between JR trains and Shinkansen, you can go through this gate. You do not have to exit the gate. Because you can use one same base fare ticket for both JR trains and Shinkansen. If you use JR Pass, you can show your pass to the staff at the gate.

However if you go to Hakone, you have to get on Odakyu/Hakone Tozan Railway. In this case, you have to exit and then enter Odakyu railway platform.

I explain you how to change the trains at Odawara station.

How to transfer from the Shinkansen to Odakyu Railway / Hakone Tozan Railway

You can find all transfer ways in the movie below. I recorded it by myself. You can find the location of lockers and storage service too:

I show you several photos and explain step by step. It is not far and very easy to transfer.

First of all, when you get off Shinkansen just follow the sign to exit and go down the stairs, escalators or elevators.

(C) Odawara Staton JR Tokaido Shinkansen - photo by Araishohei
(C) Odawara Staton JR Tokaido Shinkansen – photo by Araishohei

You will see Shinkansen exit.

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Hakone 004

When you exit Shinkansen gate, you will see the concourse.

Hakone 005

You will find the stairs and escalators on your right hand side.

Hakone 006
The view from the downstairs to upstairs.
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The view from the upstairs to downstairs.

Proceed to upstairs and you will find Odakyu and Hakone Tozan Railway’s ticket gate right after you get upstairs.

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How to transfer from JR Tokaido and Shonan Shinjuku line to Odakyu / Hakone Tozan Railway

Go upstairs from the platform and you will find ticket gate. There is a big lentern above.

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Proceed to the left on the concourse.

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And you will get Odakyu / Hakone Tozan Railway’s ticket gate soon.

Odakyu / Hakone Tozan Railway’s Odawara station

Some of you want to purchase the Odakyu Railway’s ticket or Hakone Free Pass. There is Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center just beside Odakyu Railway’s ticket gate. You can purchase these tickets/passes. You can book Odakyu’s limited express “Romancecar” here.

Hakone 068

After you go through ticket gate, you will the signage above.

Hakone 008

And also there are lots of sign of “To Hakone” and “Hakone Tozan Railway”. All you have to do is just following these sign.

Hakone 009
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You will find the train that goes to Hakone-Yumoto.

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If you take Romancecar from Odakyu Shinjuku, the train goes to Hakone-Yumoto directly. You don’t need to transfer at Odawara. But if you take local train, you have to transfer to Hakone-Yumoto. There is no direct trains from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto other than Romancecar.

How to transfer from Shinkansen to JR Tokaido and Shonan Shinjuku line

In this case, you don’t need to exit. You may proceed Shinkansen transfer gate.

800px-Odawara_Sta_wicket_for_Tokaido_Line_transfer_only
800px-Odawara_Sta_wicket_for_Shinkansen_transfer_only

And you will go through connection path and get in the station of Tokaido / Shonan-Shijuku line station.

Hakone 002

It’s shown by Orange shade in the station map above.

Connection time

If you just transfer the trains, you can make it in 10 minutes. However if you need to purchase a ticket or pass, you have to add 10 more minutes at least. In the peak season, Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center is busy. It may take 15 minutes there. So give yourself a plenty of time.

Comments

  1. Laura says:
    July 12, 2016 at 8:48 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    How long does it take to transfer from the Shinkansen to the Hakonetozan Line? If I take a Shinkansen that arrives at Odawara at 16:37, is there enough time to make the 16:45 train to Haoke-Yumoto?
    Thanks!

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      July 12, 2016 at 3:17 pm

      Hi Laura,

      It’s possible but it may be tight for the first timer.
      If you intend to purchase Hakone free pass or other deals in Odawara, you will spend more minutes. If you purchase single fare ticket, it’s tight but possible.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Samantha says:
    June 25, 2016 at 6:25 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    Please help me to review my trip from 23 Oct to 30 Oct :
    We will be staying at Shinjuku, Kabukicho for 7 nights. There are my main itinerary as per below. I will check further for those places that I wanted to visit based on my main itinerary.
    May I know which train e.g. day pass to take, time and fares for below?

    23 Oct – Arrival Narita International Airport (JR Narita Express) to Shinjuku.

    24 Oct – Hakone (Ropeway) to view Mount Fuji and Gotemba (Premium Outlets). Then, to return to Shinjuku by Skinkansen.

    25 Oct – Kawaguchi – (explore)

    26 Oct – Akasusa area – Senso-ji Temple

    27 Oct – Ginza

    28 Oct – Tokyo DisneySea

    29 Oct – Harajuku / Shibuya

    30 Oct – Shibuya – day time / then, after lunch from Shinjuku to Narita International Airport (JR Narita Express)

    Thanks in advance.

    Regards,
    Samantha

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      June 25, 2016 at 7:55 am

      Hi Samantha,

      You may use these deals:

      NEX Tokyo round trip ticket (Narita-Shinjuku return by Narita Express)
      http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/nex_round.html

      Tokyo Subway Pass
      This covers most of places in Tokyo other than Disney Sea. JR train is better to get Disney. Single fare to Maihama from Shinjuku is around a few hundred yen. Please see the link below to find about trip within downtown Tokyo at the link below. You will find the info about Tokyo subway pass too.
      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

      Trip to Hakone
      Hakone Free Pass is the best choice. It covers whole part of the trip from Shinjuku to Hakone directly. But if you want to use Shinkansen, you have to pay single fare. Please find the fare at Hyperdia:
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html

      About trip to Hakone, please refer the link below. You also mention “Kawaguchi” in your plan. If you mean Lake Kawaguchi, you can find the info at the link below too.
      https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Samantha says:
        August 20, 2016 at 11:31 am

        Hi Takeshi-san,

        Thanks for your previous reply on 25 Jun 2016. I would like to check as decided to change my place to stay near Yotsuya-Sanchome

        Day 1 -23 Oct – Narita- Shinjuku return by Narita Express –
        Question : Do i need to transit? or direct. Which station the nearest that i need to get down?

        Day 2 -24 – Hakone – Hakone free – 2 days pass (5140 yen)
        I will depart from Shinjuku by paying Romance car – one way 890yen. Last after Gotemba Premium outlet. If to take Shinkansen to pay for single fee. Is it to book online to reserve seat? Then I need to take at Odawara?
        I have checked Hyperlink looks like the train direction is complicated compared to take Romance car train to Shinjuku. I want to experience Shinkansen, if this is too complicatd, Based on my itinerary, Which intinerary thatI i can take Skinkansen?

        Day 3 – Kamakura – to buy Odakyu Railways
        Enoshima Kamakura Free Pass – Yen 1470. At night,from Shinjuku after shopping, to go back toYotsuya-Sanchome .
        Question : What pass/card i need to buy?

        Day 4 – Yokohama – Yokohama – Minatomira l Pass Yen 520 – is it correct?
        I will go to those places :
        *Yamate
        *Sankeien Garden
        *Minato Mirai
        *Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
        *Chinatown
        *Yokohama Motomachi Shopping Street (beside Chinatown)
        *Cup Noodles Museum
        Should be all cover right? Ramen Museum – If is not cover, what train i need to take from Cup Noodles Museum – What is the train fare?

        Day 5 – Disney Sea – If from Yotsuya-Sanchome – Can i take Metro? Earlier from Sinjuku guided : JR train is better to get Disney. Single fare to Maihama from Shinjuku is around a few hundred yen. Is it still the same to take?

        Day 6 – From Yotsuya-Sanchome – Ueno – Asakusa – Oshiage skytree (optional) – Tsukiji – Tokyo Tower. Can i use Metro line? If yes, I saw day pass yen 600 without Toei line. Do I need to include Toei line subways for Metro+Toei Line day pass Yen 1000 to these 5 places?

        Day 7 – From Yotsuya-Sanchome to Shibuya- Harajuku – Giza – Akihabara – Iwamotocho (optional) – Roppongi/ Can i use Metro line? If yes, I saw day pass yen 600 without Toei line. Do I need to include Toei line subways for Metro+Toei Line day pass Yen 1000 to these 5 places?

        Day 8 – Day time, probably to Shibuya – After that to airport directly.
        Is there any card (train) that i can buy to use?
        Narita- Shinjuku return by Narita Express – Same as above, do i need to transit? or direct. Which station that Nearest i need to get down to Narita aiport?

        Thanks in advance an look forward for your update.

        Regards,
        Samantha

  3. Leila-Yuko says:
    April 8, 2016 at 8:26 am

    Hi there ,
    How to get to Kyoto from Hakone ? (With JR Pass)
    I will be at K’House Hakone hostel and have to go to K’s House Kyoto Hostel. Google map is telling me to get ” Hakoneyumoto line” then change to Odawara station to take Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen .
    Is that correct , will my JR Pass cover the ride ?
    Thank you so much

  4. James says:
    April 5, 2016 at 7:02 pm

    Hi Takeshi,
    We plan to go to Hakone for a day trip from Nagoya.
    Can we use the JR pass taking the Hikari train to Odawara, then change to Hakone Tozan railway to Hakone-Yumoto?
    Do you think there is enough time to see just a few major attractions in Hakone and what pass would you recommend for one day in Hakone? Many thanks.

  5. Michel says:
    March 7, 2016 at 10:38 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    Our first trip to Japan starts within two weeks. We stay one night in Hakone. We do have JR-pass. As I can see in the comments above the Jr-pass covers Tokyo-Odawara. Do you reccomend the Hakone Free-pass to get around in Hakone? Can you tell me what the best transportation is from Hakone to Lake Kawaguchiko?
    Thank you in advance! Michel

  6. Noor says:
    January 24, 2016 at 9:10 am

    Hi Takeshi

    I am traveling with my parents in March. We are starting with 3 night in Kyoto, then 2 nights Hakone, and then 5 nights Tokyo.

    Both parents are in their sixties and are worried about handling luggage in the train and so am I as I suffer neck problems. Would you know if there is any help inside the train or if it’s easy to stow baggage?

    As I’ve understood so far, from Kyoto to Hakone I’d have to take JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara. Is this correct? And would I have to prior book seats? And is there anything in particular I should look out for, like changing trains?

    Also, Odawara to Tokyo would be the Tokaido Shinkansen again right?

    Do you think it’s worthwhile getting the JR pass if these are my only 2 train rides?

    Thank you

  7. Triet says:
    December 21, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    Good morning Takeshi!
    There’s exactly 24 hours until the beginning of my trip so please answer my last questions ^^.
    I am just a bit confused of transportations in Hakone. I will use Tokyo Wide Pass to ride the shinkansen there.
    1. As you wrote, after getting to Odawara we have to get off, right? Is Odawara the last station (終点) of the ride? To we need to beware of not missing the station?
    2. After getting off the shinkansen, we need to move to another train in order to enjoy Hakone? There are Tozan, JR Tokaido and Shozan in your articles, are three of them go to three different places or they are just differ in terms of the Company and we choose them by the deals we are using?
    3. I read your post about Hakone and Fuji 2 day pass. Since we use TOKYO WIDE PASS already, the Hakone-Fuji pass is too much for us. Instead, I found Hakone one day pass at around 1550¥. Is it worth the money and does it cover all parts of Hakone? (I am asking is the 1550¥ Hakone pass worth the money because I dont know how much train we BASICALLY need to ride in around Hakone! please answer my dummy question ^^)

    Thank you very much!!!

  8. Dhanasari says:
    July 11, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Hai Sir, Me and my family are willing to go to Japan in this week end. Fortunately my flight just similar with you, We arrive Japan by Tokyo and leave through Osaka in the next 6 days. I already booked hotel 1 night at Tokyo, 1 night at Hakone, 2 nights at Kyoto and the last 2 nights at Osaka.
    But. I still looking for how to get shinkansen train to Kyoto after Hakone. I am planning to go from Hakona on July 21st afternoon. Did you have an experience for that?
    Thank you.

  9. Jim says:
    April 16, 2015 at 11:29 pm

    Please help.
    1.) If i decided to buy JR Pass 7 days arriving from Haneda airport at 10.30pm. Should I exchanged the JR Pass next day morning at Tokyo Station (730am) = from tokyo station > Odawara Station (Buy Hakone free pass & leave luggage at Odawara Station) then take Hakone Tozan Railway > Hakone. Is this the best route for me?

    Note: I need to buy hakone free pass for the hakone loop should i upgrade to “romance car”?

    2.) we will stay in Hakone for a night, then from Hakone to Kyoto = Hakone Tozan Railway > Odawara > Kyoto. Is this the best route?

    Thank you very much in advance for your advice.

  10. Derek says:
    March 28, 2015 at 10:35 am

    Planning first time trip to Japan next November. Able to map from Tokyo to Hakone. What is the best way to travel from Hakone to Takayama and the estimate fare and journey time? Then from Takayama to Shirakawago, to Kyoto and finally Osaka. What would be the estimate fare and travelling time for each journey.

    Hope you can help.

    Thanks.

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