Is it worth buying Hakone Free Pass?

Whether the Hakone Free Pass is worth buying depends on your travel plans. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

What’s Included in the Hakone Free Pass?
– **Unlimited use** of most transportation in Hakone:
– Odakyu Romancecar (discounted or included, depending on the pass version)
– Hakone Tozan Train (mountain switchback train)
– Hakone Ropeway
– Hakone Cable Car
– Hakone Sightseeing Cruise (Pirate Ship on Lake Ashi)
– Hakone Tozan Buses
– **Discounts** on select museums and attractions.

Cost (Approx. as of July 2025)
– From Shinjuku (Round-trip + Hakone transport):
– 2-3 day pass: ¥6,100 (adult)

When Is It Worth It?
Yes, if you:
– Plan to use multiple forms of transport in Hakone (especially the ropeway, cruise, and Tozan train).
– Are visiting from Tokyo (the round-trip Odakyu train + Hakone transport saves money).
– Want convenience (no need to buy individual tickets).

No, if you:
– Only visit 1-2 attractions and don’t use much transport.
– Have a car or prefer walking/hiking.
– Want to have the freedom to choose all bus companies in Hakone (Hakone Free Pass doesn’t cover all bus routes in Hakone. If you board buses from other bus companies, you will need to pay extra).
– Already have a JR Pass and are coming from Odawara (just buy individual tickets in Hakone.

Verdict:
If you’re doing the classic Hakone loop (train → ropeway → cruise → bus), the pass is really worth it. If you’re only visiting one or two spots or plan to do some hiking or go to some off-the-beaten tracks, calculate individual fares first.

Useful links for buying Hakone Free Pass online:

– Odakyu (Hakone Free Pass) official site