Is The Hakone Free Cross Value It?

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We spent 2 nights in Hakone throughout our 2-week Japan journey and we’re so glad we received the Hakone Freepass!

Key Options of the Hakone Free Cross:

• Limitless Journey: Covers all transport on the Hakone Loop, together with buses, the Hakone Tozan Practice, cable vehicles, ropeways, and Lake Ashi cruise.
• Spherical-Journey from Shinjuku (optionally available): For these coming from Tokyo, the move provides a model that features round-trip tickets from Shinjuku.
• Reductions: Entry to reductions at varied museums, sizzling springs, cafes and points of interest within the Hakone area.

Included Transportation Choices

The move covers almost all native transit inside Hakone, making it best for first-time guests trying to expertise the total vary of points of interest.

1. Hakone Tozan Practice – Japan’s oldest mountain railway, winding as much as Gora Station.
2. Hakone Cable Automobile – Takes you from Gora to Sounzan.
3. Hakone Ropeway – Providing views of the Owakudani Valley and, on clear days, views of Mt Fuji.
4. Lake Ashi Pirate Ship Cruise – Take a trip throughout the lake with views of Mt. Fuji on clear days.
5. Hakone Tozan Bus and Different Native Buses – Frequent buses take you to Hakone Shrine, Hakone Open-Air Museum, and different widespread spots.

What Else Is Included In A Hakone Free Cross Ticket?

Past transportation, the Hakone Free Cross gives unique perks and reductions for maximising your time in Hakone.

Cross holders get discounted entry to widespread points of interest, such because the Hakone Open-Air Museum (we liked this outside artwork gallery) and free entry to Hakone Gora Park (normally 500 yen per grownup), in addition to a decreased charge on the Hakone Kowakien Yunessun sizzling spring resort.

Extra financial savings can be found at sure memento retailers, eating places, and a few sizzling springs in Hakone. If you happen to make use of those reductions, you may definitely preserve your funds down throughout this time.

Improve To The RomanceCar

In case you are visiting Hakone from Tokyo, you may improve your prepare journey to Hakone to the Restricted Specific Romancecar Practice from Shinjuku.

This can be a direct and scenic route into the mountains, with reserved seating, making it a extra comfy and faster journey. You possibly can improve to a RomanceCar prepare on the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Heart.

The separate restricted categorical ticket is at present ¥1,200 per particular person.

The principle perk of the categorical prepare is that it takes you past Odawara Station to Hakone-Yamato Station. That is the place you catch the Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora.

Whereas not important, it’s a extra comfy method to do the prepare journey from Tokyo and faster.

Insider Tip: You possibly can nonetheless improve your Hakone Free Cross to the RomanceCar even if you are going to buy your passes on-line. Do that at Odakyu Sightseeing Service Heart or forward of time on-line – the earliest Specific prepare leaves between 7 and eight am and books out shortly with day trippers.

The place To Buy A Hakone Free Cross

There are a number of choices for buying Hakone Free Passes.

• Buy on-line by way of the Odakyu official web site or by way of Klook
• Buy in particular person at an Odakyu Service Sightseeing Heart at both Shinjuku Station (West Exit) or Odawara Station.
• Buy by way of a merchandising machine exterior the service centres

We booked on-line by way of Klook, which allowed us to funds forward of our journey for this value.

Once we bought our Hakone Free Cross tickets in September 2024, there was solely the choice to select up bodily paper tickets on the Service Centre. They now have a digital move e-ticket model, however that is solely an possibility when you’ve got a cellular gadget (one move per gadget), so if visiting with children, the best choice remains to be having the bodily passes.

When Is The Hakone Cross Not Value The Price?

Whereas the Hakone Free Cross generally is a nice worth, it is probably not the best choice for each traveller.

• Shorter Journeys: If you happen to’re solely in Hakone for a fast day journey or solely visiting a few spots, the move is probably not price it. It is sensible for those who’re planning on doing the Hakone Loop however for those who’re simply transiting from Tokyo and staying for the evening, you is likely to be higher off simply getting single-trip tickets.
• Restricted Space Protection: The move solely covers transportation in Hakone and surrounding areas, so it’s not match if most of what you intend to discover is past these areas.

What If I Have A JR Cross?

If in case you have a JR Cross, it’s nonetheless worthwhile getting the Hakone Free Cross as this prepare line is owned by Odakyu Railway somewhat than by Japan Rail Group, so your JR Cross gained’t cowl you for Hakone prepare journey.

How Many Days Ought to You Spend In Hakone?

Once we began planning our Japan journey, a buddy talked about Hakone as an amazing cease and urged staying there in a single day somewhat than doing Hakone simply as a day journey from Tokyo.

Most individuals go to Hakone as a day journey, attempting to suit the Hakone Loop right into a single day and probably lacking a number of the greatest issues within the space.

For this reason we determined to spend 2 nights in Hakone as a substitute of only a day or a single evening. It actually will depend on how a lot time it’s a must to spare in your general itinerary. If you happen to’ve received time for two nights, we extremely advocate it.

If not, a single evening will nonetheless offer you time to see the highest Hakone points of interest.

Which Cross Ought to I Get?

In case you are staying in Hakone for one evening, a 2-day move is advisable.

It will get you from Tokyo to Hakone in your first day and again to Odawara Station the following day, to journey again to Tokyo or onto your subsequent vacation spot (though it gained’t cowl your prices past Odawara if heading elsewhere.

Equally, for those who’re staying 2 nights, get the 3-day move for limitless public transport throughout your keep and to transit again to Odawara prepared to go away Hakone.

We did a 3-day move, travelling Tokyo to Hakone on day 1, inside Hakone on day 2 and again to Odawara to catch a Shinkansen on day 3.

Finest Points of interest In Hakone

Hakone is full of points of interest that showcase its pure magnificence and cultural richness.

Highlights embrace the Hakone Open-Air Museum, the place sculptures mix with scenic landscapes. The Hakone Shrine is well-known for its iconic purple torii gate on Lake Ashi’s shores.

For panoramic views, the Hakone Ropeway takes you over the volcanic Owakudani Valley, well-known for its sizzling springs and black eggs. They’ve black shells after being hard-boiled within the volcanic sizzling springs and consuming one is claimed so as to add as much as 7 years to your life.

There are additionally memento retailers, eating places and the Hakone Geo Museum in Owakudani. This was certainly one of our favorite locations to go to in Hakone!

The Hakone Sightseeing Cruise on Lake Ashi provides picturesque views of Mount Fuji on clear days. We lucked out with a cloudy day sadly! Only a motive to go to once more subsequent time we’re in Japan.

For scrumptious meals, don’t miss eating at Gora Brewery & Grill. This was certainly one of our favorite meals of the journey and also you get to observe the cooks cooking proper contained in the restaurant space. Very cool!

And naturally, Hakone is legendary for its onsens, so don’t miss the possibility to soak in one of many sizzling springs whilst you’re there.

Insider Tip: Attempt to go to on weekdays to keep away from peak crowds, and for those who’re after a peaceable onsen expertise, try a number of the less-frequented sizzling springs coated by the move.

Suggestions for Making the Most of Your Hakone Free Cross

No matter whether or not you’re doing an in a single day journey or a Hakone 2-day itinerary, just like what we did, there are just a few suggestions that may show you how to profit from your first time in Hakone:

1. Begin Early

Start your journey as early as doable to maximise your time and get probably the most worth out of the move. Early begins additionally imply fewer crowds at widespread spots, particularly if visiting Hakone throughout busy occasions, resembling cherry blossom season.

We caught the earliest cable automotive from Gora Station which meant we had been one of many first on the ropeway for the day too.

2. Plan Your Route

If you happen to’re planning on doing the Hakone Loop, resolve whether or not you’re doing it clockwise or anticlockwise.

We did the standard path, beginning in Gora and heading up the cable automotive and ropeway to Owakudani first, nonetheless many individuals love to do the reverse as it’s much less busy. That is price contemplating, particularly for those who’re visiting at a peak time.

3. Take Benefit of Reductions

Don’t neglect the move consists of reductions on many points of interest, which might add up, particularly for those who’re visiting locations just like the museums or sizzling springs.

The Hakone Open Air Museum is a must-visit when you’ve got the time and whereas the low cost is small, it’s nonetheless good to pay much less.

4. Test Ropeway Standing

Often, the Hakone Ropeway could shut resulting from volcanic exercise round Owakudani. Checking the official web site beforehand can assist you regulate your plans if wanted.

Options to the Hakone Free Cross

If you happen to’re unsure in regards to the move, there are different methods to see Hakone which may higher fit your itinerary.

• Single Tickets: If you happen to’re solely visiting just a few websites, particular person tickets could also be cheaper.
• JR Rail Cross Customers: For these with a Japan Rail Cross, you should utilize it to get to Odawara (simply exterior Hakone), after which purchase an area move or single tickets for the Hakone Loop.

Remaining Verdict: Is the Hakone Free Cross Value It?

In brief, the Hakone Free Cross is completely price it for those who’re planning a full day (or two) exploring Hakone’s fundamental points of interest. It’s particularly best for those who’re trying to do the Hakone Loop, because the move covers your complete route seamlessly.

For households (like us), {couples}, or solo adventurers who need a hassle-free expertise with added financial savings on transportation and entry charges, the Hakone Free Cross provides unbelievable worth.

Be certain to learn our 2-day Hakone itinerary for tricks to plan your go to!

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