1) What is the Hakone Freepass?
The Hakone Freepass is a pass for visiting "Hakone" that includes:
- A round-trip Odakyu train ticket (from your chosen departure station → Odawara) *only for the type departing from an Odakyu station*
- "Unlimited rides" on vehicles within the designated Hakone zone (8 transport systems total), such as the mountain railway, cable car, ropeway, sightseeing boat, some bus routes, etc.
- Discounts and special offers at about 70 locations (museums, onsen, tourist spots, etc.)
It's great for anyone planning to do the "Hakone Golden Course / Hakone Round Course" (the full popular loop route)
2) Hakone Freepass Prices (updated rates effective from October 1, 2025)
Note: prices depend on your "departure station" and there are 2-day / 3-day options
Departure station | 2-day (Adult) | 2-day (Child) | 3-day (Adult) | 3-day (Child)
- Shinjuku | 7,100 | 1,600 | 7,500 | 1,850
- Machida | 6,820 | 1,600 | 7,220 | 1,850
- Fujisawa | 7,050 | 1,600 | 7,450 | 1,850
- Odawara (Hakone Area Only) | 6,000 | 1,500 | 6,400 | 1,750
*Important note*
- "Odawara (Hakone Area Only)" = does not include the round-trip Odakyu train ticket (best for those arriving at Odawara another way, for example by Shinkansen from Kansai)
3) Where can you buy tickets? (Official channels)
(Recommended) 3.1 Buy online as a digital ticket (EMot Online Tickets)
- "Smartphone only" (PC/tablet not supported)
- Show your ticket/scan the QR code at the designated points
Important points for digital tickets (especially the Digital Hakone Freepass)
- Each person who needs a ticket (adult or child) must have it on their own smartphone
- Multiple tickets of the same type cannot be used at the same time on one device
- Children under 6: generally don't need a ticket (check the conditions again for your actual trip)
3.2 Buy a paper ticket/in person
- Odakyu Line train stations (ticket machines/ticket counters)
- Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center / participating sales points
- 7-Eleven (Seven Ticket) via the multi-copy machine in store/the Seven Ticket system
- Some tour companies/agencies (such as JTB, KNT, Nippon Travel Agency, etc.)
- Sales points within the Hakone area (participating stations/service centers)
Tip: the pass "including the round-trip Odakyu ticket" is usually the "Shinjuku departure" type
while "buying starting from Odawara/locally" is usually "Hakone Area Only"
4) Can you use it with the Romancecar? How much extra do you pay?
- The Hakone Freepass "does not include" the seat fee for the Romancecar limited express
- To ride the Romancecar, you need to buy an additional Limited Express ticket (seat fee/supplement)
Reference rate example: Shinjuku ↔ Hakone-Yumoto = 1,200 yen/one way
- Buying the "Limited Express e-ticket" online is usually 50 yen cheaper than buying on the day
Simply put:
- Riding Odakyu Local/Rapid/Express trains (not the Romancecar) → generally "no extra payment" needed beyond the pass
- Want to ride the Romancecar → pay an extra 1,200 yen/one way (or a bit cheaper if you buy the e-ticket)
5) How many days is the ticket valid for? (How the days are counted)
- Available as 2-day and 3-day passes
- Counted by "calendar day": the day you buy it = Day 1
- "2 days" doesn't mean 48 hours
Example: the 2-day pass expires after the last train of the "following day"
6) What's covered + limits you should know
Main coverage
- Unlimited rides within the "designated Hakone zone" across 8 transport systems (mountain railway/buses on designated sections/cable car/ropeway/boats, etc.)
Important limits (know these first)
- If you go outside the designated zone → you'll need to pay the excess fare
- On the Odakyu Line section (departure station → Odawara), it's valid for "one round trip"
but "stopovers along the way are allowed"
- Cannot be used with the "Izu-Hakone Bus"
- On some highway bus routes: passengers with a reserved seat/reserved-seat ticket get priority, and if the bus is full you may not be able to board
7) Is it worth it?
Quick check (high chance it's worth it)
- Planning to do the Golden Course / Round Course (mountain railway + cable car + ropeway + boat + buses within the zone)
- Or riding multiple times + using the tourist spot discounts
Official example (starting from Shinjuku, running the Golden Course)
- If you "don't buy the pass", transport alone could cost about:
8,322 yen (using IC) or 10,622 yen (if also riding the Romancecar)
- If you "buy the Hakone Freepass":
7,100 yen (or 9,400 yen if also riding the Romancecar)
→ you save about 1,222 yen (plus you still get the tourist spot discounts)
In summary: if you're going to Hakone and riding "multiple systems/multiple times", the pass is usually worth it
but if you're only visiting one spot and heading straight back (for example, just Lake Ashi without doing the loop course or riding much)
try comparing individual ticket prices before buying
8) FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Can I buy it in advance?
A: Yes, you can generally buy it about 1 month before your travel date (online is most convenient)
Q: Can multiple people use a digital ticket on the same phone?
A: For the "Digital Hakone Freepass", the basic rule is 1 person per 1 smartphone (including children who need a ticket)
Q: Can I use it directly with the Romancecar?
A: Yes, but you need to buy an additional Limited Express ticket (the pass doesn't include the seat fee)
Train, cable car, ropeway, boat, and bus routes covered by the Hakone Freepass
Tips for Using the Hakone Freepass
If you use all of Hakone's public transportation (train, cable car, ropeway, boat, bus), the total cost would be 6,300 yen, and the Odakyu Hakone train ticket (Hakone Free Pass) is cheaper and can be used continuously for 2 days/3 days.
But if you're only traveling to one spot, for example a round trip between Shinjuku and Lake Ashi (Moto-Hakone), the cost is only 4,200 yen, in which case the Hakone Freepass is not really worth buying.
More cost examples
- If you plan to do the "Hakone Round Course" (mountain railway + cable car + ropeway + boat ride + bus), it's likely worth it, since official examples show it's "cheaper than buying tickets separately" on the popular route
- Cost example (based on the official example):
- Round trip from Shinjuku riding the Romancecar both ways: Hakone Freepass 7,100 + Romancecar (round trip) 2,400 = 9,500 yen
- If you are coming from Kansai (visiting Hakone first, then continuing to Shinjuku): Hakone Area Only 6,000 + Odawara→Shinjuku (regular ticket) 910 + Romancecar (one way) 1,200 = 8,110 yen (not including travel cost from Kansai→Odawara)
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Q: Can I buy it in advance?
- A: Generally yes, you can buy it in advance (the online channel is most convenient)
- Q: If I use a digital ticket, how many phones do I need?
- A: We recommend "one phone per person", and you'll need internet access to show your ticket
- Q: Can I use it directly with the Romancecar?
- A: Yes, but you need to buy an additional Limited Express ticket (the pass doesn't include the seat fee)
- Q: Can I use it with the Izu-Hakone Bus?
- A: No (this is an exception worth knowing before you plan)
Where to check prices/buy (key links)
- Buy via the official EMot Online Tickets website
- Hakone Navi: Hakone Freepass details (official)
- Odakyu: Hakone Freepass (official)
*Note: prices/conditions may change in the future. We recommend checking the "Official" page before every trip