Plan your journey
This Hakone Freepass guide explains what it covers, what it costs and whether it makes sense on the day of your Breathe Hakone tour.
You never need a Hakone Freepass to join one of our tours. It becomes useful when your forest bathing session is part of two or three days of sightseeing and you plan to use several buses, trains, the ropeway or the Lake Ashi cruise.
The Hakone Freepass is a two- or three-day transport pass sold by Odakyu. Inside its designated area, it allows unlimited rides on eight transport systems, including the Hakone Tozan Train, Hakone Tozan Cable Car, Hakone Ropeway, Hakone Sightseeing Cruise and designated buses.
If you buy the pass from Shinjuku or another Odakyu station, it also includes one discounted return journey on the Odakyu Line to Odawara. It also gives discounts at around 70 attractions and facilities.
| Starting point | 2 days | 3 days |
|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku | ¥7,100 adult ¥1,600 child | ¥7,500 adult ¥1,850 child |
| Odawara | ¥6,000 adult ¥1,500 child | ¥6,400 adult ¥1,750 child |
Prices shown are the official fares in effect in July 2026. Odakyu fares can change, so check the official page before buying.
Romancecar note: the limited-express seat reservation and supplement are separate. A Shinjuku Freepass can cover the base Odakyu fare, but you still need to reserve and pay the Romancecar supplement.
You are coming from Shinjuku, staying in Hakone for two or three days, and also plan to ride the ropeway, cruise Lake Ashi or travel around several areas.
You are making one simple return journey for the tour, using very little local transport, driving, or arriving at Odawara by Shinkansen and leaving soon afterwards.
Introductory Shinrin-yoku
The pass covers designated Hakone Tozan buses between Hakone-Yumoto and Moto-Hakone. It is a strong choice when you will also use the Lake Ashi cruise, ropeway or other Hakone transport before or after your session. For a single out-and-back visit, compare the individual fares with the pass price.
Immersive Shinrin-yoku at the Lakeshore
The direct Izu-Hakone Bus between Hakone-Yumoto and Hakone-en is not covered by the Hakone Freepass. The pass may still be useful for other sightseeing, but budget separately for the direct bus to this session and check the current timetable before travelling.
Temple Forest Walk and Onsen
You do not need a pass simply to meet us at Odawara. Buy one only if you will continue sightseeing around Hakone and use enough covered transport during its two- or three-day validity.
Hakone Valley Walk & Forest Bathing
A Shinjuku-departure pass can be convenient for the Odakyu journey and additional sightseeing. If you arrive at Odawara by Shinkansen and only travel to Hakone-Yumoto for the tour, individual tickets may cost less.
JR trains and the Shinkansen are separate from the Hakone Freepass. If you travel from Tokyo or Shinagawa to Odawara by Shinkansen, you will normally skip the Shinjuku version. You can still buy the Hakone-area pass from Odawara if your local sightseeing plans make it worthwhile.
It does not include your Breathe Hakone tour fee, food, onsen admission or transport outside the designated area. The Izu-Hakone Bus is not included, so check the operator before boarding. Service interruptions can also affect the value of the pass.
Build your itinerary first, then choose the ticket. If your day is mainly the forest bathing session and one direct journey, keep things simple and pay as you go. If the session sits inside a classic Hakone trip with the ropeway, Lake Ashi cruise and several bus or train journeys, the Freepass is usually the easier choice and often the better value.
Still unsure? Send us your hotel, tour name and plans for the day before and after. We will tell you honestly whether we think the pass is worth buying.
Transport coverage and July 2026 prices checked against the official Hakone Freepass page. See also our practical guide to getting to Hakone and each tour meeting point.
Once the trains and tickets are settled, the forest asks very little of you.
Book a forest bathing session Questions about your route? Ask us directly