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

Mt. Fuji and Hakone
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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.

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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.

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

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

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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. Gita Villanueva says:

    Hello,

    I have JRP and wish to use it, what is the fastest train/ shinkansen (I don’t know the difference) from Odarawa station to Tokyo Station? and kindly share the time table of the train/ shinkansen. thank you.

  2. teresa says:

    Hello,

    i would like to take a trip from shinjuku station to mount fuji using JR Pass.
    is it right i need to stop at odawara station? can i reach fuji depend on JR Pass, or i need still buying hakone free pass?
    is it possible if i wanna buy bus ticket and cable car only?

  3. Gordon says:

    Hello,
    I am planning to take the bullet train from Shinagawa train station to Hakone. Which train station, Odawara or Hakone-Yumoto, do I get off?
    Thank you,
    Gordon

  4. Alana says:

    Hello,

    I am a bit lost and super confused and i hope you can advice me. Is it possible to travel from Odawara station to Nagano with JR pass without going back to tokyo?

    Cheers,
    Alana

  5. Khoi says:

    Is it possible to get a one way ticket from Odawara to Shinkuju?

  6. Linby says:

    We want to go on Shinkansen as this is our dream. We will take it from Tokyo to Odawara and then changing to go to Hakone – then return to Tokyo – all in one day. I have read your instructions and it seems clear, but I would like to know if we can purchase one ticket in Tokyo or if it is two tickets? We are not doing any other train travel so will not need rail pass, but do we need return ticket or singles as you seem to suggest?

    • Hi Linby,

      You can purchase one way to Odawara or round trip to Odawara. It’s totally up to you. If you want to save your time and you can fix your schedule, you can purchase round trip. If you want to have some flexibility and don’t know what time you leave from Odawara, you can purchase one way to Odawara at Tokyo, and purchase return portion at Odawara.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Lucy D says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    If we take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Odawara , from there we get the Hakone Free pass, will the Hakone Tozan Railway from Odawara take us all the way to Gora ( with a stop at Hakone Yumoto , or do we have to get off and Hakone Yumoto and then transfer to another train Hakone Yumoto to Gozan?
    Thank you

    • Hi Lucy,

      You have to change the trains at Hakone-Yumoto. But it’s same platform and very easy to transfer.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Triet says:

        Hello Takeshi,

        How about changing train from Shinjuku Yamanote Exit to Odakyu? (I’ll be getting train from Ueno – Shinjuku). Would it take about 10 minutes?

        Now, we can book Romance train tickets online and buy Hakone free pass at the ticket machines so we don’t really need to go to the ticket office, right?

        Also, could you please answer some more questions of mine:
        1) how much time I would need for transfering from Nippori – Ueno to Shinkansen Ueno – Karuizawa?
        2) how much time I would need for transfering from Nippori – Ueno to Shinkansen Ueno – Utsunomiya?
        3) I will use Kansai – Hiroshima pass on the day I go from Kyoto to Amanohashidate. I searched with Yahoo transit and it turned out to be two types of train: one rapid train (Tokkyu Hashidate) without transfer and one Tokkyu Kinosaki with a transfer at Fukuchiyama. If I take the Tokkyu Hashidate, all I need to do is to pay the fee from Fukuchiyama to Amanohashidate (plus limited express fee), and I do not need to transfer, right?
        Would I be able to pay the fee after on board the train, or do I need to buy tickets before getting on the train?

        Thank you very much!

        Triet

        • Hi Triet,

          I recommend you to have 15 minutes to transfer at Shinjuku. I think you can do it in 10 minutes. But Shinjuku station is very complicated even for me. You need to buy just Hakone Free Pass but there may be line up at the vending machines. You may not find the way to use the vending machine. So 15 minutes is safer.

          1 and 2) 10 minutes
          3) You can purchase a ticket for Fukuchiyama to Amanohashidate on board from the conductor if you take Hashidate. If you take Kinosaki, you have to exit and purchase a ticket there.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Jo Smith says:

    Your site has been so useful so far! Thank you. I have read your links to select passes. Please can you cast your eye over my ideas. We have 5 nights based in Osaka with day trips then 2 nights near Takayama for Sanno (Hida-Hagawara) then 2 nights Odawara, then 4 nights Tokyo.
    Day 1 Arrive Kansai 09.00 and buy 1 day Nankai-Kansas Aiport edition for 2900 yen to get to Namba, drop bags at rental and sightsee (floating garden, tsutenkaku tower, shitennoji temple, Tombori River cruise perhaps). May just wander if too tired!
    Day 2 Kyoto arashiyama, philosophers way, shops and food return to Osaka – Hangkyu day pass?
    Day 3 USJ
    Day 4 Hiroshima & miyajima day trip and back to Osaka (JR pass to start for 7 days)
    Day 5 Day trip to Nara using JR pass
    Day 6 Osaka to Takayama – alight at Hida Hagawara for accommodation around 14.00, drop bags and on to Takayama for evening procession April 14, return to Hida Hagawara
    Day 7 Takayama for daytime floats and festival, return to Hida Hagawara
    Day 8 JR pass to Odawara, overnight hotel
    Day 9 Visit Hakone from Odawara – Thought about getting the free pass to get to rope way etc and boat trip but not sure as one day only? What is best/ 3 adults 2 kids aged 11 and 12…
    Day 10 Off to Tokyo on last day of JR pass
    Day 11 -13 Local suica or similar pass? City based for Gibli, Pokemon stores and wandering before flying home . Airport hotel 1 night
    Day 14 Fly home 08;00

    What do think of the passes ? Ideas for Hakone and Tokyo appreciated. I decided to rule out Kansai through pass based on my reading. Our accommodation is fixed but days can be re-arranged. Many thanks. Jo

  9. saidah says:

    Hi Takeshi
    Can help me with my itinerary from Nagoya Station to Korankei..very much love to go there on 26 Nov 2016..Thank you

  10. Edwin says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Konbanwa. Appreciate your advice on my itinerary.

    1. Arrive at Narita airport early in the morning.
    2. Buy the return trip NEX.
    3. Take the NEX from Narita to Shinjuku.
    4. At Shinjuku, take the Odakyu Limited Express + Romance Car to Odawara.
    5. At Odawara, buy the Fuji Hakone 3 day pass.
    6. Odawara to Hakone Yumoto (Do I need to buy another ticket for this or does the Fuji Hakone 3 day pass cover it?)
    7. From Hakone Yumoto, I will spend the day sightseeing in Hakone area and stay 1 night near the station.
    8. Next day I will travel to Gotemba Premium Outlet, using the Hakone Tozan Bus to Sengoku and another to GPO.
    9. From GPO I will later take a Fujikyu bus from GPO to Kawaguchiko and then stay there for 2 nights.
    10. After 2 nights, I will travel back to Shinjuku from Kawaguchiko station. I plan to take a train for this. (Can you advice the best route?)
    11. I will be staying in Tokyo for 4 nights.
    12. On the last day, I will travel from Odaiba to Tokyo station and using the NEX to get to Narita airport.

    Appreciate any comments that you can offer on my itinerary.

    Thank you, arigatogozaimasu.

    – Edwin

    • Hi Edwin,

      Your itinerary is okay but I want to make sure a few things in the part of Hakone-Fuji in your itinerary.

      Fuji Hakone Pass covers Odawara to Hakone Yumoto. But if you use the pass Odawara to Hakone Yumoto, Hakone Yumoto to Gotemba Premium Outlet and Gotemba Premium Outlet to Kawaguchiko, total fare is around 4000 yen. Fuji Hakone Pass is more expensive than single fare. And also if you don’t use Fuji Hakone Pass, you can take Romancecar to Hakone Yumoto from Shinjuku directly. You don’t need to drop by Odawara.

      Even if you use the pass in Lake Kawaguchi area, you have to use at least 1600 yen worth. The pass may be cheaper but not much. You cannot use the pass to go back to Shinjuku because it’s valid for 3 days. If you purchase it at Odawara and start using it on next day and take highway bus to Shinjuku, this pass is recommended. Otherwise it’s not the best deal.

      If you take a train, you can take Fuji Kyuko to Otsuki and change JR train to Shinjuku. Please see the link below:
      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

      • Edwin says:

        Hi Takeshi san,

        Thank you for your reply.

        I plan to use the Fuji Hakone pass because at Hakone on the day I arrive there (19th Nov), I plan to use the pass to sight see Hakone area:
        Hakone Yumoto –> Gora –> Souzan –> Owakudani –> Togendai –> Moto Hakone –> Hakone Yumoto (staying at Yumoto Fujiya 1 night).

        The next day (20th Nov) I will travel from Hakone Yumoto to Gotemba Premium Outlet and Gotemba Premium Outlet to Kawaguchiko (staying at Kozantei Ubuya 2 nights).

        On the third day (21st Nov) I will use the pass again at Fujikawaguchiko to sight see Mt. Kachi Kachi Ropeway, Narusawa Hyoketsu and Lake Shojiko.

        On the last day (22nd Nov – pass already expired), I will take your advise and take Fuji Kyoko to Otsuki and change to JR train to Shinjuku.

        Arigatogozaimasu.

        – Edwin

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