The Hakone Free Pass — Your Essential Ticket

The Hakone Free Pass is the single most important purchase for any Hakone trip. It bundles round-trip transportation from Tokyo with unlimited rides on almost every form of transport within Hakone. For an Evangelion pilgrimage covering the full Golden Course, it saves significant money and eliminates the hassle of buying individual tickets.

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Pass Options and Prices

  • 2-Day Pass from Shinjuku: ¥7,100 (adults), ¥1,100 (children 6-11)
  • 3-Day Pass from Shinjuku: ¥7,500 (adults), ¥1,250 (children 6-11)
  • 2-Day Pass from Odawara: ¥5,700 (if arriving by Shinkansen instead)

The pass covers: Odakyu Line (Shinjuku to Odawara, regular express), Hakone Tozan Railway, Hakone Tozan Cable Car, Hakone Ropeway, Lake Ashi sightseeing ships, Hakone Tozan Bus, and the Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus.

Romancecar Upgrade

The Free Pass includes Odakyu local/express trains, but not the Romancecar limited express. Add a Romancecar surcharge of approximately ¥1,200 each way for reserved seating and a direct 85-minute ride from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, skipping all local stops. The front and rear cars of certain Romancecar models have observation windows — reserve seats in Car 1 for the best views.

Recommendation: Take the Romancecar in at least one direction. The time savings (85 minutes vs. 2 hours for regular trains) and comfort are worth the surcharge, especially after a full day of sightseeing.

Where to Buy

Purchase the Hakone Free Pass at the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku Station (west exit, basement level) or from ticket machines at the Odakyu ticket gates. English-language purchasing is available at the service center. You can also buy online via the Odakyu website for pickup at Shinjuku.

Food and Dining in Hakone

Black Eggs at Owakudani (Kuro-Tamago)

The iconic Hakone food experience. Eggs are boiled in the volcanic hot springs at Owakudani, where minerals turn the shells jet black. The inside is a normal hard-boiled egg with a slightly sulfurous aroma.

  • Price: ¥500 for a bag of 5 eggs
  • Where: Sold exclusively at the Owakudani ropeway station and the short walking trail area
  • Note: You cannot buy single eggs — only bags of 5. Share with fellow travelers.
  • Legend: Each black egg supposedly adds 7 years to your lifespan

Hakone Yumoto Restaurant Row

Hakone-Yumoto's main street from the station toward the river is lined with restaurants and cafes. Recommended options:

  • Tofu dishes: Hakone is known for fresh tofu made with mountain spring water. Look for tofu kaiseki sets (¥1,500 to ¥2,500) featuring multiple tofu preparations.
  • Soba noodles: Several shops serve handmade buckwheat soba. Try the cold dipping soba (zaru soba) for ¥900 to ¥1,200.
  • Bakeries and cafes: The station area has modern cafes serving Hakone-themed pastries and coffee.

Lakeside Dining at Moto-Hakone

After completing the Golden Course, restaurants near the Moto-Hakone bus stop serve lunch sets featuring local trout, rice dishes, and curry. Prices average ¥1,200 to ¥2,000. Several restaurants have lake-view seating.

EVA-Themed Food

During active collaboration periods, certain Hakone restaurants and cafes offer EVA-themed menu items — colored drinks, character-themed desserts, and limited packaging. Check the Evangelion x Hakone official page or ask at the tourist information office at Hakone-Yumoto Station for current offerings.

Onsen Accommodation

Hakone is one of Japan's premier hot spring resorts. Staying overnight lets you experience the Golden Course at a relaxed pace and enjoy onsen baths in the evening.

Budget Options (¥5,000 to ¥10,000 per person)

  • Hakone Tent (hostel): A modern hostel in Tonosawa with shared onsen baths. Dorm beds from ¥5,000, private rooms from ¥8,000. Popular with international travelers.
  • Guesthouses near Hakone-Yumoto: Several small guesthouses offer private rooms with shared baths for ¥6,000 to ¥9,000.

Mid-Range Options (¥10,000 to ¥20,000 per person)

  • Hotel Okada: A large onsen hotel in Hakone-Yumoto with multiple bath types including outdoor rotenburo. Rates from ¥12,000 with breakfast.
  • Ryokan in the Tonosawa/Miyanoshita area: Traditional inns with tatami rooms, futon bedding, and private or shared onsen. Many include dinner (kaiseki course) and breakfast.

Luxury Options (¥25,000+)

  • Hakone Ginyu: A luxury ryokan in Miyanoshita with rooms that each have a private open-air bath overlooking the valley.
  • Hyatt Regency Hakone: Western-style luxury with Japanese onsen. Spa and fine dining on site.

Day-Use Onsen (No Overnight Stay)

If you are doing Hakone as a day trip, several facilities offer day-use onsen bathing:

  • Hakone Yuryo: Modern facility near Hakone-Yumoto with indoor and outdoor baths, relaxation areas, and a restaurant. Entry ¥1,500 (weekdays) to ¥1,800 (weekends). Open until 9 PM.
  • Tenzan Tohji-kyo: A more rustic, nature-surrounded onsen complex. Entry about ¥1,300. Popular with locals.

Suggested Itineraries

Day Trip (Full Day)

  1. 8:00 AM — Romancecar from Shinjuku
  2. 9:30 AM — Arrive Hakone-Yumoto, start Golden Course
  3. 12:00 PM — Owakudani: black eggs and volcanic scenery
  4. 1:30 PM — Lake Ashi pirate ship cruise
  5. 3:00 PM — Hakone Shrine and torii gate
  6. 4:00 PM — Bus to Hakone-Yumoto, day-use onsen
  7. 6:30 PM — Romancecar back to Shinjuku

Spread the Golden Course over two days. Day 1: Hakone-Yumoto to Owakudani, stay overnight. Day 2: Lake Ashi cruise, Hakone Shrine, return. The 2-day Free Pass is designed for exactly this pace.

Practical Tips

  • The 3-day pass is only ¥400 more than the 2-day — worth it if you want a relaxed visit
  • Bring a small towel for onsen visits; large towels can be rented at most facilities
  • The Hakone area has limited convenience stores outside Hakone-Yumoto — stock up on snacks and drinks before heading up the mountain
  • Cell service can be spotty on the ropeway and in mountain areas — download offline maps