Hi Ashley, the wording and the way they price this on the official site is way more confusing than it needs to be. Firstly there are two main versions of the 'Hakone Freepass' one includes the return trip from Shinjuku (Y5700) or you can buy the pass in the Hakone area and that only covers that section not transport from Tokyo (Y4600). In Japan express trains generally need two tickets, the ticket for the ride and an express supplement ticket, the Shinjuku Hakone Freepass includes the ticket for the express romance car (Y1220 if you buy it separately) but NOT the express supplement ticket which is an additional Y1110 each way. I don't know why they do it this way rather than inclusive pricing but you need to add that supplement on if doing the train both ways. Overall the saving if doing the loop and return to Shinjuku is now around Y1090 for an adult, a bit higher for a child.

I hope that helps with your decision, enjoy your trip!

The info i'm trying to find that's stumping me is the cost of getting the limited express romance car for 2 people returning to Shinjuku VS getting the Hakone Freepass.

I would get the Hakone Freepass from Shinjuku, assuming that it covers the cost of going to and from Hakone via the Odakyu Line / Romance Car.

so does the Freepass cover travel to and from Hakone, or is that still an extra cost?

Cheers, and great article

Hi Des, I'm not sure Nadia will see your message but Hakone isn't particularly stroller friendly generally although if you are prepared to carry the pram and the children from time to time you could manage. The difficulty is both getting them around on the transport that's not designed for them and the lack of flat areas to wheel them. Taking 3 children in prams on the path up to the geothermal pools at Owakudani I can't see working, from memory it was narrow with people going both directions and uneven, but there was a lot of snow. This isn't a good photo but give you a bit of an idea on the walk way up - https://www.2aussietravellers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/walkway-at-Owakudani.jpg

Thank you,
Des

While fairly close as the crow flies Hakone and the Fuji 5 lakes districts are quite time-consuming to get between. Beautifully areas to visit and stay but I don't have much to add to what you have already found. Having the National Park and mountain in between them there is quite a detour by road and no train line up through the middle there. Getting to both is much easier from Tokyo. The Chuo bus does cater for luggage but other Odakyu transport in the region isn't set up for larger suitcases, especially as it nears the New Year holiday period it will be quite busy. Depending on where you are based before and after I would consider taking a smaller overnight bag and either using the forwarding service to your next location or leaving suitcases with the hotel you stayed at previously and collecting before you move on. Enjoy your visits, it should be really beautiful at this time of year.

My other option which is a very expensive one is: Tokyo-Fujisan (using JR Pass + 1040 yen train fare from Otsuki to Fujisan) . I don't think i can get Fuji-Hakone Pass on this route so my plan is to get a 2-day Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus. On the 3rd day to Hakone: Fujisan-Odawara (using JR Pass + 1040 yen train fare from Fujisan to Otsuki), from Odawara we will explore Hakone using 2 day Hakone Free Pass.

Thanks for the update Jo, I'll add a note on the article and see if I can get an update from Odakyu

Did this trip last week (7 Nov 2019) - be aware that the Hakone Tozan Railway is not operating at present due to Typhoon damage. Buses operate from Odawara to Gora however there is a significant wait, equally same wait on the return. Just not enough buses. There is also no access to Owakudani, again Typhoon damage, so a straight through transit from one rope way to the other. The significant bus waiting time left very little time to explore/enjoy the stops. It also makes it a very long day trip if you are travelling from Tokyo. In saying that we had a fabulous day but if we were doing it again we would definitely plan for 2 days. Tip: Don't waste time at Odawara Train Station just get straight to the bus stop. Not sure when the Tozan Rail will be operating but it is probably worth checking.

Hi Nadia, this is Odakyu's map of the region covered, you'll see that coming from the Tokyo direction the first station in the zone is Odawara. I don't know Yumeno-Onsen station personally and can't see it on the Hyperdia site but the area map should help, does it go by another name or do you know what is near there?

With the pass, you can use any of the transport in the zone as many times as you want during the period it is active so you could do the full loop or other routes as many times as you want to.

Thank you for your reply, so where exactly the place of return trip is for Hakone pass from Odawara? Is that from Odawara station to Yumeno-Onsen Station?
So, if I want to use it for 2 days without stay in Hakone, the 2nd day trip between those station will not be covered?
Lets say, if I don't have time to visit Owakudani in the first day, then I back to Hakone next day, Can I use that pass to covered transport cost between Yumeno-Onsen Station to Owakudani on 2nd day?