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Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, less than 100 kilometers from Tokyo. Famous for hot springs, outdoor activities, natural beauty and the view of nearby Mt. Fuji, Hakone is one of the most popular destinations among Japanese and international tourists looking for a break from Tokyo.
How to get here :
How to travel between Hakone and Tokyo
By Odakyu Railways: Odakyu Railways operates direct trains between Tokyo's Shinjuku Station and Hakone-Yumoto Station. The one way journey by the "Romance Car" limited express takes about 85 minutes and costs 2020 Yen. By slower express trains (kyuko), the journey takes about two hours, but costs only 1150 Yen. Odakyu also offers the Hakone Free Pass, which includes the round trip from Tokyo to Hakone and unlimited use of selected trains, cablecars, ropeways, boats and buses in the Hakone area. By JR (Japan Railways): With JR trains you can only get as far as Odawara, from where you will have to use non-JR trains or buses into the Hakone area (see map). Note that the above mentioned Hakone Free Pass is also available for use from Odawara Station. By JR Tokaido Shinkansen you can access Odawara in about half an hour from Tokyo or Shinagawa Station (about 3500 Yen one way, fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass), but note that only kodama trains and a small number of hikari trains stop at Odawara Station. Alternatively, you can access Odawara from Tokyo in about 70-90 minutes by local or rapid trains on the JR Tokaido Main Line (stopping at Tokyo, Shimbashi and Shinagawa Stations) or the JR Shonan Shinjuku Line (stopping at Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Shibuya Stations) for about 1450 Yen (one way). JTB's Free Plan Hakone & Onsen 2 Days package includes a round trip from Tokyo to Odawara by shinkansen and accommodation in Hakone, starting at the amazing cost of only 9990 Yen. By Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus: Direct highway buses operate every 30 minutes between Tokyo's Shinjuku Station and the Lake Ashi area in Hakone (among other places the buses stop at Togendai and the Hakone Prince Hotel). The one way journey costs about 2000 Yen and under good traffic conditions takes about two hours. Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current Yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation The municipality of Hakone covers a mountainous region with several small towns, among which Moto-Hakone and Hakonemachi at the shores of Lake Ashi and the hot spring town of Hakone-Yumoto down in the valley, are the region's main transportation hubs. An efficient network of buses, trains, cablecars, ropeways and sightseeing boats makes Hakone a great place to be explored by public transportation. The best pass to do so is Odakyu's Hakone Free Pass, which gives you unlimited use of all Odakyu affiliated trains, buses, boats, cablecars and ropeways. An attractive way of exploring Hakone is by circling the region by five different means of transportation: Click here for more details about the Hakone Round Course.
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