Last Updated on 2026-03-01 by Tsubaki
My previous Hakone transportation guide has always been one of the most popular posts, and I later added another article analyzing whether the Hakone Free Pass is truly worth it. However, I realized I had never properly written a detailed post covering the most essential and practical information, how to buy it, where to pick it up, and what it’s actually like to use it in real life.
I think the reason I haven’t written a full guide until now is because I’ve mentioned bits and pieces about the Hakone Free Pass throughout the dozen or so Hakone-related articles I’ve already published. I kept thinking, “I’ll write a proper guide later,” and well… here we are. Better late than never, right? haha
Back to the Main Topic: The Hakone Free Pass is hands-down the most convenient and cost-effective transportation pass for visiting Hakone. I’ve personally visited Hakone more than five times, whether for a one-day trip or a deeper two-day itinerary, and I always use this pass. I covered whether the pass is worth it in another article, but to put it simply: this pass gives you unlimited rides on major local transportation like the mountain railway, ropeway, sightseeing cruise, and mountain buses. Even if you only use it for a single day, just a few rides can already cover the cost.
So in this post, I’ve finally put together a full and detailed guide for you: from ticket types, where and how to buy, where to pick up your pass, to how it actually works on the ground. I’ll also share my personal tips and recommendations so you can figure out which purchasing method works best for you.
Switch language：繁體中文
About the Hakone Free Pass
The Hakone Free Pass, offered by Odakyu Railway, is a hugely popular discount pass for travelers. Its biggest feature? It gives you unlimited access to almost all major transportation in the Hakone area over a set number of days.
It covers just about everything: the Hakone Tozan Railway, Hakone Tozan Bus, Hakone Ropeway, Pirate Ship cruise on Lake Ashi, and more, basically every means of transport you’d use while sightseeing around Hakone.
It’s a massive time-saver and money-saver, especially for travelers doing a self-guided Hakone trip.
Related Guides:
[Complete Hakone Transportation Guide]
※Digital pass also has english version, don’t worry!
There are two versions of the pass:
・Shinjuku Version: Includes round-trip transportation between Shinjuku and Odawara on the Odakyu Line, plus unlimited rides in Hakone
・Hakone Area Version: Covers only the Hakone area, ideal if you already have a JR Pass or other rail ticket to get to Odawara
Most travelers starting from Tokyo choose the Shinjuku version, since it includes the ride from Shinjuku to Odawara and back. But if you already have another transport pass (like a JR Pass), the Hakone Area version makes more sense and avoids paying double for the same route.
Note: While the Shinjuku version includes unlimited rides within Hakone, the section between Shinjuku and Odawara is only valid once each way. You can’t hop on and off freely in that section.
I have also published a helpful comparison articles. If you want to understand the cost breakdown or see if the pass is worth it, check out the following:
[Is the Hakone Free Pass Worth It? Full Price & Cost Breakdown (2025)]
Basic Info About the Hakone Free Pass
Price:
・From Shinjuku:
2-Day Pass: ¥7,100 (≈ $47)
3-Day Pass: ¥7,500 (≈ $50)
・Hakone Area Only:
2-Day Pass: ¥6,000 (≈ $40)
3-Day Pass: ¥6,400 (≈ $43)
Coverage:
・Odakyu Line (Shinjuku–Odawara round trip)
・Hakone Tozan Railway
・Hakone Tozan Bus
・Hakone Ropeway
・Lake Ashi Pirate Ship
・Certain Odakyu Highway Buses
Where to Buy:
・Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center (Shinjuku Station)
・Online travel platforms: KKday, Klook
・Official digital ticket platform: EMot
Extra Perks:
Show the pass to receive discounts at 70+ attractions, shops, and restaurants
Two Types of Hakone Free Passes
Currently, there are two formats of the Hakone Free Pass:
・Digital Ticket (QR code): Buy online and simply scan the QR code from your smartphone to enter and exit stations
・Physical Ticket (paper): Can be bought and picked up at Odakyu train stations or tourist info centers
Which Is Better ? Physical Ticket or Digital Ticket?
Let me give you the bottom line up front: I’ve personally bought the Hakone Free Pass through EMot, KKday, and Klook, and after trying all of them, I still recommend KKday’s physical ticket.
Seriously, this isn’t a sponsored post. It’s just my honest opinion based on my actual experiences. I’ll go into more details below so you can decide what suits you best.
That said, if you’re planning to catch the earliest train around 7:00 AM, the digital pass is probably a better fit for your schedule. But if you value stability and simplicity, I definitely recommend going with the physical ticket.
Coming up next, I’ll break down each platform and ticket format, including how they work, pros and cons, and how smoothly the whole process goes. Keep reading!
Other Hakone Area Passes Besides the Hakone Free Pass
Hakone Kamakura Pass
The Hakone Kamakura Pass is basically an upgraded version of the regular Hakone Free Pass.
Priced at ¥7,520 (≈ $50) for 3 days, it not only covers all the transport included in the Hakone Free Pass but also gives you unlimited rides on the entire Enoden Line (the charming Enoshima Electric Railway).
This pass is perfect for travelers who plan to visit Hakone, Kamakura, and Enoshima all in the same trip from Tokyo.
Fuji-Hakone Pass (3-Day)
If your itinerary also includes Fujikawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi area near Mt. Fuji), consider getting the Fuji-Hakone Pass for ¥11,100 (≈ $74).
This 3-day pass allows unlimited rides on major transportation across both the Fujikawaguchiko and Hakone sightseeing areas, making it the most comprehensive and cost-effective option for combining both regions.
How to Purchase the Hakone Free Pass
1. Official EMot Online Ticket (Digital Pass)
Buying from the official EMot platform is the most straightforward way to get a digital version of the Hakone Free Pass online.
Highlights:
・The ticket displays a QR code with an animated train icon, designed to prevent screenshot misuse
・Many local stations don’t have QR scanners, so manual inspection by staff is often required
・You can also book Romancecar seats through the same platform
This digital pass isn’t just a static QR code, it comes with a moving train animation on the screen to deter people from using screenshots, which is quite an advanced ticketing design.
And since many of Hakone’s stations don’t have automated QR gates, this visual verification speeds things up when staff have to check tickets manually.
Pros:
・You’re not limited by tourist center hours, so you can depart as early as 7:00 AM
・You can reserve Romancecar seats at the same time, a one-stop booking process
Cons:
・Tickets are sold at full official price, with no discounts
・You’ll need to unlock your phone, log in, and pull up the ticket screen each time you pass through
・It sometimes logs you out automatically, making it a bit inconvenient
・One phone can only store one ticket, which makes it tricky if you’re traveling with kids or in a group
2. Purchasing via Klook (Physical & Digital Tickets Available)
※ The ticket image appeared in my native language, but don’t worry, English is fully supported.
Klook currently offers two types of Hakone Free Pass: a physical ticket and a digital ticket.
→ [View full details about the Hakone Free Pass on Klook]
The digital version is powered by the official EMot system, and once purchased, it must be activated through the Klook app.
So just like EMot, you’ll need to open the app, log in, and display the QR code each time you use the ticket.
Klook Digital Ticket:
・Same system as EMot: buy online and use your phone to scan the QR code
・If you want to ride the Romancecar, you’ll need to purchase seats separately on the official Romancecar website, an extra step
Klook Physical Ticket:
・After purchasing, you’ll need to pick up the ticket at a designated counter
・Self-service pickup using a code is not available
Pros:
・Klook often runs discount campaigns or credit card promotions
・With the physical ticket, you can buy multiple passes at once, ideal for families or groups
Cons:
・The digital version only supports one ticket per device, so it’s not convenient for multi-person bookings
・Physical ticket pickup is limited by counter hours
3. Purchasing via KKday (Physical Ticket via Redemption Code)
KKday currently sells only the physical ticket version, issued via a redemption code.
While KKday doesn’t offer a digital version, the voucher code system is super convenient! Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive a redemption code.
You just go to the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku Station (West Exit), enter the code into a self-service machine, and voilà, your Hakone Free Pass is printed instantly.
No need to wait in line, no need to explain anything to staff, the entire process is smooth and perfect for anyone who wants to save time and skip the hassle.
How it works:
・Use the redemption code at a self-service machine or redeem it at the counter at the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center
・You’ll need to wait until 8:00 AM, when the center opens, to pick up your pass
Pros:
・Frequent promo codes and discounts available
・Earn KKday points with your purchase, which can be used for future discounts
・You can buy multiple passes in one order, great for families or groups
Cons:
You can’t start your trip early in the morning, since pickup must be done on-site after 8:00 AM
4. Purchasing On-Site at Tourist Centers (Odakyu Counters)
If you’re unable to book in advance, or if you’re not comfortable using online platforms, you can always buy the Hakone Free Pass in person at one of the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Centers.
This is the most straightforward method, but it does mean you’re limited to the center’s operating hours, which typically start at 8:00 AM. If you’re planning an early departure, this method might not work for you.
Also, during busy hours, you might face long lines or language barriers, or struggle to find the correct counter.
Pros:
・No need to book online, just show up and buy
・Staff are available to help and explain how the pass works
Cons:
・No discounts or loyalty points like those offered by online platforms
・You’ll have to wait until the center opens at 8:00 AM
・Possible queues during peak travel times
Comparison Table: Where to Buy the Hakone Free Pass
Platform | Ticket Type(s) | Multi-Person Purchase | Discounts & Rewards | Romancecar Seat Booking | Ease of Use |
EMot (Official) | Digital ticket only | X One ticket per phone | X | Can reserve Romancecar during purchase | ★★★☆☆ |
Physical digital tickets | Physical: Yes Digital: One per phone | Frequent promos | X | ★★★☆☆ ★★★★☆ | |
Physical ticket via redemption code | O Yes | Discount codes + points | X | ★★★★☆ | |
In-person at Odakyu counter | Physical ticket only | O Yes | X | Available at purchase | ★★☆☆☆ |
Personal Recommendation After Testing All Options
After trying all the options myself, I personally recommend the physical ticket. Here’s why:
・Faster to use: no delays due to internet or app issues
・Supports multiple people: buy several tickets in one go
・Easy ticket checking: no need to log into an app or display an animated QR code each time
Why I Don’t Recommend the Digital Ticket
While digital tickets seem convenient on the surface, in reality, they can be a bit frustrating to use.
You need to unlock your phone, log in, and load the animated QR code every single time you go through a gate. If the network is slow, this step can take forever.
Even worse, some apps log you out automatically or close in the background when your phone screen turns off, forcing you to start over again.
And remember, you can only link one digital ticket per device. So if someone in your group doesn’t know how to use the app (like a child or grandparent), you’ll have to set it up separately on their device. Not fun.
In my case, I once had a bad experience at Togendai Station where the signal was really weak. I just couldn’t load the digital ticket screen no matter what I did. It stalled me for quite a while. Luckily, there was free Wi-Fi on-site, and after some effort, I finally got it to work. But still… stress I could’ve avoided!
Final Thoughts: My Best Advice
If you want to navigate Hakone’s transportation easily and efficiently, and don’t want to deal with login issues, QR codes, or redemption delays, physical tickets are the safest choice.
If you’re departing from Shinjuku, I suggest buying in advance via KKday (for redemption code) or Klook (for either physical or digital) and then picking up the ticket at the station.
But if you’re planning to catch an early 7:00 AM train, before any counters open, then a digital ticket is your best bet.
Choose the one that fits your travel style, and enjoy Hakone to the fullest!
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
Traveler’s Note:
The insights shared above are based on my personal experiences and subjective perspectives. When planning your trip, please consider current weather conditions and your own travel preferences.
Please note that all English articles on this site are AI-assisted translations of the original Traditional Chinese content. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and natural flow, occasional nuances or expressions may differ. Thank you for your understanding.
In an era dominated by viral trends and “clickbait” locations, my true passion lies in exploring hidden corners and regions where information is scarce. I know firsthand how precious detailed, reliable information is when planning a journey. That is why I dedicate countless hours to research and field exploration, to curate these hard-earned insights for fellow travelers like you.
Every article and image on this site represents a significant investment of time and heart. If this content has helped you, the best way to support me is by sharing or reposting this link. I kindly ask that you respect original creators; unauthorized copying or re-uploading is strictly prohibited (all content is protected under DMCA).
Catch my latest travel moments on Instagram: @287.travel
Fuel my next journey: If my guide made your trip smoother, feel free to [Buy Me a Coffee]. Your support keeps this project moving forward!
Thank you for being a part of this community.
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
