Hakone Yumoto Station: Access, Attractions & Shopping Streets

Hakone Yumoto Station, the gateway to Hakone, where the blessings of hot springs that have been flowing since ancient times intertwine with the natural beauty of the four seasons.

As someone who has been captivated by Hakone's charm for 10 years and witnessed its transitions, I'll share with you the true face of this town.

Weekends are bustling with tourists, sometimes crowded, but this is proof of Hakone's lively hot spring town. In this town where long-established inns from the Edo period coexist with modern day-trip hot spring facilities, you can experience the essence of Japanese hot spring culture.

From quiet morning strolls to the atmospheric townscape enveloped in hot spring steam at night, there are new discoveries every time you visit Hakone Yumoto. If you want to avoid crowds, weekday visits are recommended, but even on weekends, you can enjoy Hakone's charm in a more relaxed atmosphere in the early morning or after evening.

Now, let's start your Hakone journey from here!

Table of Contents
・How to Access Hakone Yumoto Station from Tokyo
・Tourist Spots Accessible from Hakone Yumoto Station
・Frequently Asked Questions

How to Access Hakone Yumoto Station from Tokyo

There are several convenient ways to access Hakone Yumoto Station. From my 10 years of experience, I choose the optimal method depending on the situation.

From Shinjuku Station, it's about an 85-minute journey on the Odakyu Romance Car. Although an express fee is required separately, you can enjoy a comfortable journey in spacious seats. From the window, you can see the gradually changing scenery, building up your anticipation for Hakone. This is my most recommended way to access Hakone Yumoto Station.

From Tokyo Station, it takes about 35 minutes to Odawara Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen, then about 15 minutes after transferring to the Hakone Tozan Railway. The Shinkansen runs frequently, so I recommend this route if you're short on time. The transfer at Odawara Station is smooth, with easy-to-understand guidance signs.

From Narita Airport, it takes about 90 minutes to Shinjuku on the Narita Express, after which you can transfer to the Odakyu Line to reach Hakone Yumoto. From Haneda Airport, a common method is to take the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa Station for about 15 minutes, then head to Shinjuku and transfer to the Odakyu Line.

I especially recommend using the Hakone Free Pass. With this pass, you can enjoy unlimited rides on transportation in the Hakone area for 2-3 days, making sightseeing more efficient. It includes cable cars, ropeways, and pirate ships, allowing you to fully experience Hakone's diverse modes of transportation.

Website: https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/discount_passes/free_pass

Tourist Spots Accessible from Hakone Yumoto Station

Hakone Yumoto Station is ideally located as a base for sightseeing in the Hakone area. From here, you can connect to various tourist experiences, from strolling through hot spring towns to visiting art museums and enjoying natural scenery. I'll introduce you to the seasonal highlights and access methods I've discovered during my 10 years of visiting Hakone.

Hakone Yumoto Hot Spring Area & Shopping Street

The hot spring town that spreads out immediately after exiting the station is a beautiful harmony of history dating back to the Edo period and modern facilities. What I particularly like is the scenery of the hot spring town during the quiet early morning hours. There are several day-trip hot spring facilities scattered along the streets, where you can easily enjoy hot springs.

Some facilities have foot bath spots, allowing you to casually experience hot springs while strolling. The townscape lined with traditional Japanese inns is filled with an atmosphere that evokes the traditional Japanese hot spring culture.

The shopping street in front of the station is a lively place bustling with locals and tourists. Particularly popular are shops where you can watch the manufacturing of hot spring buns and taste warm, freshly made buns. There's also a wide variety of street food menus, allowing you to enjoy local flavors.

Hakone Gora Park

About 40 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway, Gora Park, located on the mountainside, is a special favorite spot for me. The beauty of the French formal garden heals my heart every time I visit. You can enjoy flowers of all seasons, with cherry blossoms and tulips in spring, roses in summer, and autumn leaves in fall.

In the greenhouse within the park, you can see tropical plant exhibitions all year round, making it ideal for rainy day sightseeing. For those who want to experience Japanese culture, I recommend the tea ceremony experience in the tea room. Enjoying authentic matcha in Hakone will surely become a special memory.

Website: https://www.hakone-tozan.co.jp/gorapark/en/

Hakone Art Museum & Museum Area

Hakone is a treasure trove of museums. The Pola Museum of Art, about 50 minutes by bus, exhibits high-quality collections from Impressionist masterpieces to contemporary art. The architecture itself is designed to blend into the forest, allowing you to feel the harmony between art and nature.

The Hakone Glass Forest Museum, about 30 minutes by bus, is a space where you can be captivated by the beauty of Venetian glass. Especially on sunny mornings, you can enjoy a fantastic view as light shines through the glass works.

The Hakone Open-Air Museum, about 30 minutes by Hakone Tozan Railway, is an outdoor museum where you can appreciate art works in nature. World-famous sculptors' works are scattered throughout the vast grounds, allowing you to encounter art while strolling.

At the Hakone Local History Museum, about a 10-minute walk away, you can learn about Hakone's history and culture. In this way, Hakone also has an aspect of being a "town of museums and art galleries," and I think one of the attractions is that Hakone Yumoto Station provides easy access to such spots.

Lake Ashi

About an hour by bus from Hakone Yumoto Station, you arrive at Lake Ashi, a representative tourist spot of Hakone. I recommend the cruising experience on a sightseeing boat. From the distinctive pirate ship-shaped sightseeing boat, you can enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Fuji and the mountains of Hakone.

The red torii gate of Hakone Shrine, a symbolic presence on the lakeshore, is popular as a photo spot. The mystical appearance when covered in morning mist or illuminated by the evening light is particularly striking, moving my heart every time I see it.

Many restaurants and souvenir shops line the lakeshore, where you can purchase Hakone specialties and traditional crafts. For a break, I recommend cafes where you can view the lake from inside the store or from the terrace. You can spend a leisurely time watching the lake's expression change with the seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'll answer in detail the questions I often receive from visitors to Hakone, based on my 10 years of experience.

Can I Use the JR PASS at Hakone Yumoto Station?

The JR PASS cannot be used on the Hakone Tozan Railway, including Hakone Yumoto Station. The JR PASS can only be used on JR lines up to Odawara Station. Therefore, if you're touring the Hakone area, I highly recommend purchasing the Hakone Free Pass.

The Odakyu Romance Car from Shinjuku is also not covered by the JR PASS. When calculating transportation costs to Hakone, I recommend comparing the prices of various passes and tickets in advance. From my experience, the Hakone Free Pass is the most economical for stays of 2 days or more.

Are There English-Compatible ATMs Near the Station?

Around the station, Seven Bank ATMs can be used with cards issued overseas. The screen language can be switched to English, making operations easy to understand.

There's also a foreign currency exchange machine installed at the general tourist information center in front of the station, allowing exchange from major foreign currencies to Japanese yen. The staff at the information center can also assist in English, so I recommend consulting them if you have any troubles.

Can I See Mt. Fuji from the Station?

Unfortunately, it's difficult to see Mt. Fuji directly from Hakone Yumoto Station. However, if you move towards Owakudani or Lake Ashi, you can view the majestic Mt. Fuji on clear days.

Especially on days with clear air in winter, the visibility is good, and you can see Mt. Fuji clearly. I recommend the Owakudani Observatory, from where you can get a panoramic view of Mt. Fuji and the Hakone mountains.

What Are the Business Hours of the Shopping Street in Front of the Station?

I'll share detailed information about the business hours of the shopping street in front of the station based on my 10 years of visiting experience. The basic operating hours for many shops are between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. However, restaurants often stay open until around 6:00 PM or 9:00 PM, allowing you to enjoy local flavors even at dinner time.

Operating hours may vary depending on the season and shop, so I recommend checking in advance, especially if you plan to visit early in the morning or late at night. From my experience, many shops extend their hours during tourist seasons, and it's particularly lively on weekends.

Also, special operating hours are common during the New Year's holiday period, so those planning to visit during that time should be cautious.

Hakone Yumoto Station is not just a transportation hub, but a wonderful starting point for exploring Hakone.

Having visited this area for 10 years, I feel the depth of this town's charm. The townscape where hot spring culture inherited from the Edo period harmonizes beautifully with modern facilities. The natural beauty of the four seasons intertwined with the cultural appeal of museums and art galleries. And above all, the hospitality of the local people who warmly welcome visitors is a great attraction of Hakone Yumoto.

The transportation access is also well-developed, making it easy to enjoy a day trip even from Tokyo. However, I recommend staying for at least one night if possible. Strolling through the quiet hot spring town in the early morning or at dusk, luxuriously soaking in the hot springs, encountering nature that changes its expression with each season. By experiencing all of these, you can truly feel the real charm of Hakone.

Also, by using the Hakone Free Pass, you can freely use various transportation methods in the Hakone area, enabling efficient sightseeing. Access methods to each spot are well-organized, allowing even first-time visitors to enjoy sightseeing with peace of mind.

I hope you all enjoy making wonderful memories in Hakone Yumoto!