Hakone Freepass | The Ultimate Money-Saving Pass for Exploring Hakone!
Getting around Hakone is wonderfully diverse. You have the Hakone Tozan Railway, Hakone Tozan Cable Car, Hakone Ropeway, Hakone Tozan Bus, Hakone Sightseeing Cruise (Pirate Ship), Odakyu Highway Bus, Tokai Bus, sightseeing shuttle buses, and more—making it effortless to reach virtually any attraction.
Does that sound a bit overwhelming? Why are there so many different transport options? Don't worry at all! Today, I’m going to introduce the one all-powerful transit pass you need: the Hakone Freepass!
1. What Does the Hakone Freepass Cover?
The Hakone Freepass gives travelers unlimited rides across 8 major transport networks in Hakone for 2 or 3 consecutive days, one round trip on the Odakyu Line (between your departure station and Odawara Station), plus exclusive ticket discounts at around 70 attractions throughout Hakone.
In short, holding this pass essentially unlocks all of Hakone. Since it covers your round-trip journey on the Odakyu Line, you can start using it right from Tokyo. Not only does it offer incredible value, but once you arrive, you simply show or scan your pass to hop on and off buses, trains, ropeways, and ships—saving you both time and hassle.
(This route map clearly illustrates every transit line you can ride with the Hakone Freepass. Whether it's cable cars, ropeways, buses, mountain railways, or pirate ships, you have unlimited access. These transit options will get you to virtually every key sightseeing spot. For even more bus line details, check the Official Guidebook.)
(With the Hakone Freepass, your round trip on the Odakyu Line is valid for Local, Semi-Express, and Express trains. However, it does not cover Limited Express surcharges. If you wish to ride the famous Odakyu Romancecar, which is a Limited Express service, you will need to pay an additional Limited Express surcharge ticket.)
2. Hakone Freepass Pricing
The price of the Hakone Freepass varies depending on your departure station and pass duration. Taking the most popular starting point, Shinjuku Station, as an example:
- 2-Day Pass: Adults: ¥7,100 / Children: ¥1,600
- 3-Day Pass: Adults: ¥7,500 / Children: ¥1,850
If you depart from other stations such as Machida, Fujisawa, or Odawara Station, different fares apply. Here is the detailed breakdown:
You might wonder: Is the Hakone Freepass really worth it? If you calculate individual fares for a typical loop around Hakone starting from Tokyo, even on a basic circuit (as illustrated above), a 2-Day Pass saves adults ¥1,240 and saves children ¥2,330 compared to buying single tickets. If you plan to explore multiple attractions, you will easily break even and come out ahead—making it an absolute no-brainer!
3. Where to Buy the Hakone Freepass
- Buy Online: Purchase the digital pass through the official EMot Online Ticketing Website, or book via platforms like KKday or Klook, which often offer promotional discounts.
- Buy in Japan: Available at all Odakyu Line ticket counters, Odakyu Sightseeing Service Centers, Hakone Tozan Railway stations, Hakone Tozan Bus ticketing offices, and automated ticket machines (see the official website for more purchasing locations).
(If you purchase a digital pass via EMot, you'll need to create an account first. The interface supports multiple languages with comprehensive purchase and usage instructions, making the whole checkout process straightforward.)
4. How to Use the Hakone Freepass
(If you hold a digital pass, simply open your active ticket page on your phone each time you board. Scan the QR code at the yellow scanning terminals or present your screen to the bus driver or station staff—starting right from your departure station, such as Shinjuku. If using a paper ticket, just flash it to the ticket gate attendant or driver.)
(Once inside Hakone, you will discover that over 90% of local public transportation accepts the Hakone Freepass. You can hop on and off almost every train, bus, boat, and cable car without thinking twice—it's incredibly convenient.)
To check real-time timetables, transit lines, travel times, and regular fares across Hakone, use the Hakone Navi Transit Search System to map out your journeys easily! (With your pass in hand, boarding and alighting are completely free.)
In my own experience, Google Maps also works remarkably well for transit navigation here. Timetables can occasionally face slight delays (usually due to crowds of passengers boarding and alighting at popular stops), but the suggested routes and transfers are consistently spot-on.
5. Important Travel Tips & Restrictions
- The Odakyu Romancecar, Ashinoko Liner, Hakone Regular Sightseeing Bus, Izu-Hakone Bus, and Hakone Komagatake Ropeway are NOT covered by the Hakone Freepass; separate fares apply.
- The 2-Day and 3-Day passes operate on consecutive calendar days, not 24-hour / 48-hour rolling blocks. Starting early in the morning on Day 1 maximizes your value!
- Digital passes bought via the official EMot website or Klook can be activated directly on your smartphone. If purchasing through KKday, you may need to redeem your digital voucher for a physical paper ticket at locations like the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku Station West Exit.
- Child tickets for the Hakone Freepass apply to elementary school students aged 6 to 11.
- Presenting your Hakone Freepass unlocks discounts of roughly 10% to 20% at numerous museums, hot springs, and sights. Check the official Discount Facilities List for details.
- There is no 1-Day Hakone Freepass available; however, even for an ambitious day trip, purchasing a 2-Day Pass often saves you significant money over buying individual ride tickets!
That wraps up my comprehensive guide to the Hakone Freepass! If you plan to explore Hakone via public transit, this pass saves an astonishing amount of money and eliminates ticket-buying hassle at every station. It is truly the single most essential pass for visiting Hakone. I hope this guide helps you travel smoother and save on your next Japanese getaway!