Getting to Hakone: Romancecar or JR

For a couple or a family with elders, the Odakyu Romancecar is the simpler way to reach Hakone from Shinjuku. It runs about 80 minutes to Hakone-Yumoto, every seat is reserved, and the newer trains have luggage space ^{1 2}. JR works well if you already hold a rail pass or start from Kyoto or Nagoya.

How does the Romancecar work?

The Romancecar takes about 80 minutes from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto. All seats are reserved. The adult limited express fare is 1,200 yen one way, children 600 yen, on top of the regular fare or a discount pass ¹. At RM 2.603 per 100 yen on 19 October 2026, 1,200 yen is about RM 31 ^{1 3}.

On luggage, the GSE has space for large bags plus under-seat space for small items. The EXEα has an area designed for suitcases, and the EXE, EXEα and MSE have overhead shelves ². Ask which model your booking uses.

How does the JR route work?

By JR, you get off at Odawara on the Tokaido Shinkansen line, then take the Hakone Tozan Railway to the final stop ⁴. That means a change at Odawara, with bags, and a different platform. If you are travelling from Kyoto, Osaka or Nagoya, this is the natural route.

JR fares depend on the train you pick, so check them on the operator’s fare page for your date.

What does the Hakone Freepass cost?

The 2-day Hakone Freepass from Shinjuku costs 7,100 yen for adults, about RM 185, and 1,600 yen for children aged 6 to 11 ^{5 3}. The 3-day pass costs 7,500 yen and 1,850 yen ^{5 3}. It includes the Odakyu round trip between Shinjuku and Odawara, but not the Romancecar ⁵.

With the Romancecar added, the total one way to Hakone-Yumoto is 8,300 yen, about RM 216 ^{5 3}. For help deciding, read Hakone Freepass or individual tickets.

How do elders cope with the mountain loop?

The pass covers a chain of transport: the Odakyu Line, Hakone Tozan Train and Cable Car, Hakone Ropeway, the Lake Ashi cruise and designated buses ⁶. Each link is a change, and each change has steps. For elders, choose fewer links, not more.

1. Take the Romancecar for the first leg, to avoid a platform change.
2. Pick two or three stops a day, with a rest between.
3. Use a bus or taxi when the next step is stairs.
4. Plan the loop over two days, not one.

Read the Hakone loop in one day and Yumoto, Gora or Sengokuhara as a stay.

When does JR beat the Romancecar?

JR wins when you hold a rail pass, arrive from the Shinkansen side, or leave from Tokyo Station rather than Shinjuku. If Shinjuku is close to your hotel, the Romancecar is calmer. See the Hakone page and the west-side base for Hakone and Fuji.