Hakone-Yumoto
Miyanoshita, Kowakidani
Gora
Sengokuhara
Owakudani
Lake Ashi
Travel Tips
— Easy-to-Understand Tips on What It Covers, How to Use It, and Whether It’s Really Worth It —
The Complete Guide to the Hakone Freepass
The Hakone Freepass is a convenient sightseeing pass that lets you explore Hakone efficiently and at great value.
However, for first-time international visitors, it’s also a pass that often raises questions such as:
Where can I use it?
What transportation is included?
Is it really worth the price?
How is it different from the Romancecar?
In this guide, we’ll clearly explain what the Hakone Freepass allows you to do and how to make the most of it, in an easy-to-follow How-to / Tips format designed especially for beginners.
Basic Things You Should Know First
What Is the Hakone Freepass?
The Hakone Freepass is an all-in-one sightseeing pass that gives you unlimited access to major transportation systems throughout the Hakone area for a set number of days.
Trains, cable cars, ropeways, sightseeing cruises, and buses commonly used in Hakone are all included, eliminating the need to buy separate tickets each time.
You can choose between a 2-day or 3-day pass, both valid for consecutive days starting from your first day of use.
Another major benefit is the wide range of discounts and perks you can enjoy—approximately 70 attractions, hot springs, museums, and shops across Hakone offer special deals when you show your pass.
Since it covers nearly all transportation needed for sightseeing, the Hakone Freepass is a reliable and beginner‑friendly option for anyone visiting Hakone for the first time.
Choosing Your Departure Station
Which Hakone Freepass Should You Buy?
Choose the right pass based on where you start your journey to Hakone.
・The most commonly used type for travelers heading to Hakone from Tokyo (Shinjuku).
・Round trip on the Odakyu Line between Shinjuku and Hakone‑Yumoto is included.
・Unlimited rides on transportation within the Hakone area.
・To ride the Romancecar, simply buy the limited express surcharge in addition to your pass.
Best for itineraries like:
・Traveling from Tokyo (Shinjuku) to Hakone
・Returning to Tokyo after sightseeing in Hakone
・Ideal for travelers entering Hakone from outside Shinjuku.
・Unlimited rides on transportation within the Hakone area.
・Does not include the base fare between Shinjuku and Odawara.
・After sightseeing in Hakone, continuing to another region (e.g., Osaka)
・Entering Hakone from Mishima or Gotemba areas
・Going to another destination after Hakone / Entering from outside Shinjuku → Get the Odawara Pass
Transportation Included with the Hakone Freepass
The biggest advantage of the Hakone Freepass is that it covers all the major transportation used in the classic Hakone sightseeing route—allowing you to explore mountains, lakes, and nature with just one ticket.
You can seamlessly connect between trains, cable cars, ropeways, and sightseeing cruises for a comfortable and efficient journey.
The Four Key Rides That Make Up Hakone’s Classic Sightseeing Route
Hakone Tozan Train
A mountain railway running from Odawara to Gora.
It climbs the steep slopes of Hakone using switchbacks, offering scenic views along the way.
Hakone Tozan Cable Car
A steep cable car that connects Gora to Sounzan.
It climbs quickly and provides access to the ropeway.
Hakone Ropeway
An aerial gondola that connects Sounzan to Togendai.
From above, you can enjoy panoramic views of Owakudani and Hakone’s volcanic landscape.
Hakone Sightseeing Cruise
A cruise that crosses Lake Ashi, offering beautiful lake scenery and, on clear days, views of Mt. Fuji.
Buses You Can Use with the Hakone Freepass
In addition to the major transportation routes mentioned above, the Hakone Freepass also covers several designated bus lines throughout the Hakone area.
These buses are convenient for traveling between popular attractions or reaching spots that are a little farther from the stations.
・Hakone Tozan Bus (designated sections only)
・Kanko Shisetsu Meguri Bus
・Odakyu Highway Bus (designated sections only)
・Tokai Bus (designated sections only)
Note: Bus coverage is limited to specific routes and sections.
If you travel beyond the designated zones, an additional fare will be required.
A Pass That Becomes More Valuable the More You Ride
Is It Really Worth It?
The Hakone Freepass offers excellent value, especially if you plan to use multiple modes of transportation in a single day.
In Hakone, it’s common to combine several different rides—trains, cable cars, ropeways, sightseeing cruises, and buses—when moving between attractions. Normally, you would need to buy a ticket each time, but with the Freepass, you can use these modes freely without worrying about extra costs.
When the Hakone Freepass Is Especially Recommended
・Visiting Owakudani (requires the Ropeway)
・Taking a Lake Ashi Sightseeing Cruise
・Traveling across multiple areas in one day
・Feeling uneasy about buying tickets at every transfer
If your itinerary includes both the Ropeway and the Sightseeing Cruise, you’ll feel the value of the Freepass even more.
Peace of Mind Without Calculating Every Fare
One of the biggest benefits of the Hakone Freepass is the freedom from constantly thinking,
“How much will this ride cost?”
・Simply board the transportation you want to use
・Change destinations midway with minimal concern about extra fees
・Navigate Hakone more easily, even on your first visit
This allows you to focus on enjoying the sightseeing itself—one of the main reasons why so many travelers choose the Hakone Freepass.
Two Options: Buy Online or at the Station
How to Purchase the Hakone Freepass
Choose whichever method best fits your travel style.
Method ①: Online Purchase （The most recommended option for international travelers）
Online purchase is ideal if you want to prepare in advance and move smoothly on the day of your trip.
・Available through EMot Online Tickets
・Supports credit card payment
・Display your digital ticket (QR code) on your smartphone
・No need to wait in line at station counters
Method ②: Buy at Station Counters or Ticket Machines
If you don’t have a smartphone or prefer to purchase the pass on the day of your trip, you can buy it directly at the station.
・Available at station counters such as Shinjuku Station and Odawara Station
・English‑language ticket machines available
・Same‑day purchase OK (passes do not sell out)
Notes:
• Ticket machines sell same‑day tickets only.
• If you want to purchase in advance, please use a station counter.
Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center
Which Purchase Method Do We Recommend?
・If you have a smartphone → Buy online
・If your group cannot use one smartphone per person → Buy at the station
You can simply choose the method that best matches your travel style.
Simply show your pass to move smoothly around the Hakone area
How to Use the Hakone Freepass
With the Hakone Freepass, you don’t need to purchase individual tickets each time you ride.
Just show your pass and you can use the designated transportation throughout the Hakone area.
At Train Stations
・Scan the QR code at the ticket gates to enter and exit
・Increasing your screen brightness helps the code read smoothly
On Buses
・Show your Freepass to the driver
・Present it both when boarding and when getting off
When Using Discounts at Attractions
・Present your Freepass at ticket counters or store registers
・Discounts and special benefits will be applied
Tips for Smooth Use
・Keep an eye on your smartphone’s battery level
・If you’re worried about connectivity, display the ticket screen in advance
・If you’re unsure about anything, ask staff at stations or facilities
Important Notes When Using the Romancecar
The Hakone Freepass does not include access to the Romancecar.
Even if you already have the Freepass, you must purchase a separate Limited Express Ticket to ride the Romancecar.
Relationship Between the Hakone Freepass and the Romancecar
- Hakone Freepass: Works as the base fare ticket
- Romancecar Limited Express Ticket: Required in addition
In other words, the Hakone Freepass alone does not allow you to board the Romancecar.
If You Want to Use the Romancecar
To ride the Romancecar, you will need both of the following:
・Hakone Freepass
・Romancecar Limited Express Ticket
Once you have these two items, you can board the Romancecar without any issues.
The Limited Express Ticket can be reserved online in advance, or purchased on the same day as long as seats are available.
The Odawara‑departure Hakone Freepass is valid only within the Hakone area.
If you are taking the Romancecar from Odawara Station toward Shinjuku, you will need both of the following:
・Romancecar Limited Express Ticket
・Base fare ticket for the section between Odawara and Shinjuku
Key Points You Only Need to Remember
Key Points to Remember
- The Hakone Freepass gives you unlimited rides within the Hakone area.
- To ride the Romancecar, a separate Limited Express Ticket is required.
- The Odawara‑departure Hakone Freepass cannot be used as a base‑fare ticket to Shinjuku.
A collection of common questions and concerns in an easy Q&A format.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. How long is the Hakone Freepass valid?
A:
The Hakone Freepass is valid for 2 consecutive days or 3 consecutive days starting from the date of first use.
You can use it until the last train of the validity date printed on the ticket.
The pass is not time‑based (hours are not counted).
Q2. Is the pass worth it even for a day trip?
A:
Yes — if you plan to use both the Hakone Ropeway and the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise, a day trip can often be more cost‑effective with the Freepass.
It is also convenient because you can move freely between several areas without worrying about individual ticket prices.
Q3. What happens if the Ropeway is suspended?
A:
If the Ropeway is suspended due to weather conditions such as thunderstorms or strong winds, please follow staff instructions.
For scheduled maintenance or planned suspensions, replacement buses are available.
You can ride the replacement bus by showing your Hakone Freepass.
Q4. Is the Romancecar included in the Hakone Freepass?
A:
No.
To ride the Romancecar, you need a separate Limited Express Ticket in addition to the Hakone Freepass.
Q5. Can I take the Romancecar to Shinjuku using the Odawara‑departure Hakone Freepass?
A:
No. The Odawara‑departure Hakone Freepass is valid only within the Hakone area.
If you want to take the Romancecar from Odawara to Shinjuku, you must purchase:
・A Romancecar Limited Express Ticket
・A base fare ticket for the section between Odawara and Shinjuku
Note: The Romancecar requires both the Limited Express Ticket and the base fare ticket.
Q6. Is the Hakone Freepass a paper ticket?
A:
If purchased online, it will be issued as an electronic ticket displayed on your smartphone.
If purchased at a station, you will receive a paper ticket.
Trip Summary
Summary: Who the Hakone Freepass Is Perfect For
- Travelers who want to explore Hakone efficiently and cost‑effectively
- Visitors planning to use multiple transportation modes such as the Ropeway and Sightseeing Cruise
- Those who prefer stress‑free travel without buying tickets every time
- First‑time visitors who want a smooth and worry‑free experience in Hakone
* A separate Limited Express Ticket is required when taking the Romancecar.
Aside from that, the Hakone Freepass is a convenient and enjoyable way to explore Hakone.
*QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.