How to Get to Hakone from Shinjuku: Full Train Guide
Key takeaways
- The fastest and simplest option is the Odakyu Romancecar direct from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto, around 70-90 minutes.
- Budget travellers can take the Odakyu local/rapid express and transfer, which costs less but takes longer and requires a change of trains.
- The Hakone Freepass covers transport within Hakone (buses, cable car, ropeway, sightseeing boat) but does not always include the outbound Romancecar fare.
How to Get to Hakone from Shinjuku
The easiest way to get to Hakone from Shinjuku is to take the Odakyu Romancecar (小田急ロマンスカー), a direct limited express train that runs from Shinjuku Station straight to Hakone-Yumoto (箱根湯本) in roughly 70 to 90 minutes. For travellers on a tighter budget, Odakyu's regular trains cover the same route for less money, though they take longer and usually require one change along the way.
Hakone is one of the most popular day-trip and overnight destinations from Tokyo, known for its hot spring towns, views of Mt. Fuji on clear days, and the Hakone Open-Air Museum and Owakudani volcanic valley. Nearly all independent travellers start this trip from Shinjuku Station, which is the main Odakyu Electric Railway terminal in Tokyo.
Option 1: The Odakyu Romancecar (fastest, most comfortable)
The Romancecar is a limited express train operated by Odakyu that runs directly from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto without needing to change trains. This is the option most first-time visitors choose because it's simple, comfortable, and fast.
Rough travel time: around 70 to 90 minutes, depending on the specific service.
What you need: a basic fare plus a limited express seat reservation, since all seats on the Romancecar are reserved. You can reserve seats in advance online through Odakyu's official booking system, at ticket machines in Shinjuku Station, or at the Odakyu ticket counter. Booking ahead is strongly recommended, especially on weekends, holidays, and during cherry blossom or autumn leaf season, when trains can sell out.
Where to board: Odakyu's Shinjuku Station is a separate building from the JR Shinjuku Station, so leave extra time to find the right entrance if you're arriving from a JR line. Signs in English are generally good, but it's easy to lose a few minutes the first time.
Option 2: Regular Odakyu trains (cheaper, slower)
If you'd rather save money or the Romancecar is fully booked, you can take a regular rapid express or express train from Shinjuku toward Odawara (小田原) or directly toward Hakone-Yumoto, depending on the service. Some routes require changing trains at Odawara Station to a local train continuing into Hakone-Yumoto.
Rough travel time: around 90 minutes to 2 hours, including the transfer.
This option doesn't require a seat reservation, so it's more flexible if your schedule isn't fixed, but you should be prepared to stand for part of the journey during busy periods.
Option 3: Shinkansen plus local train
Travellers who already have a Japan Rail Pass or JR Tokyo Wide Pass sometimes take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Odawara Station, then switch to the Hakone Tozan Line or an Odakyu local train into Hakone-Yumoto. This route starts from Tokyo Station rather than Shinjuku, so it only makes sense if you're already near Tokyo Station or holding a rail pass that covers the Shinkansen. Check current routes and passes on JR Central or JR East before relying on this option.
Which Option Should You Choose?
For most first-time visitors coming from central Tokyo, the Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku is the simplest and most reliable choice. It avoids transfers, has comfortable reserved seating, and roughly halves the uncertainty of connecting trains. The extra cost compared to a local train is usually modest, and for many travellers the time saved and comfort are worth it, particularly if you're carrying luggage or travelling with children.
If you're travelling on a strict budget or have flexible plans, the regular Odakyu line is a reasonable alternative, as long as you're comfortable navigating one transfer at Odawara.
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Many visitors planning to explore Hakone itself, rather than just passing through, buy the Hakone Freepass, sold by Odakyu. This pass typically covers unlimited rides on the Hakone Tozan Railway, the Hakone Ropeway, the Hakone Tozan Cable Car, Hakone Sightseeing Cruise boats on Lake Ashi, and local buses within the Hakone area for a set number of days. It can also include a discount on the Odakyu train fare between Shinjuku and Hakone-Yumoto, though it generally does not cover the Romancecar's limited express reservation fee, which you may need to buy separately. Pricing and exact coverage change from time to time, so check the current details and validity period on Odakyu's official site before you travel.
What to Bring and Common Mistakes
Bring: a form of payment for tickets (cash or IC card such as Suica or Pasmo works for basic fares, though the Romancecar reservation is usually bought separately), comfortable shoes for walking around Hakone-Yumoto and other stops, and a light jacket even in warmer months since Hakone sits at higher elevation than central Tokyo.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Confusing JR Shinjuku Station with Odakyu Shinjuku Station — they are connected but are different ticket gates and platforms.
- Assuming the Romancecar doesn't need a reservation — it does, and walk-up seats aren't guaranteed, especially in peak season.
- Buying the Hakone Freepass expecting it to include the Romancecar seat fee — check what's included before you travel.
- Underestimating how spread out Hakone is — buses and the Hakone Tozan line connect the different areas, so plan your day around a few key spots rather than trying to see everything.
Planning Your Day
A day trip from Shinjuku to Hakone is realistic if you leave Tokyo in the early morning and return in the evening, but an overnight stay lets you relax at a hot spring inn without rushing. Whichever you choose, check current train schedules close to your travel date, since timetables and seasonal services can change. For general trip-planning information and official travel advice, the Japan National Tourism Organization is a useful starting point before you finalize your route from Shinjuku to Hakone.
FAQ
- Q. Do I need a reservation for the Romancecar?
- A. Yes. The Romancecar is a limited express train with assigned seats, so you need a separate seat reservation on top of the basic fare, which can sell out on weekends and holidays.
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