The Hakone Ropeway is a popular tramway that transports visitors from Gora to Lake Ashi, crossing the volcanic Owakudani Valley.
It offers breathtaking views of the lush green Hakone region.
The ropeway is part of the Hakone Loop, a popular tourist loop, that connects several points of interest.
The Hakone Ropeway consists of 2 legs. One part starts in Sounzan, close to Gora, and leads up to the middle station at Owakudani. Just before arriving in Owakudani, you have a beautiful view of the volcanic valley underneath the gondola. The valley is known for its active sulfur vents and hot springs and these are clearly visible from the cabins.
If the weather is good you can also see Mt. Fuji along the right side of the ropeway.
At the middle station, you need to change to another gondola. This gives you the opportunity to take a walk in the valley and see the volcanic activity up close. You can also taste the black eggs which are boiled in the hot springs.
The second part of the ropeway journey leads to Togendai Station, situated on the shores of Lake Ashi. During this trip, you can enjoy panoramic vistas of the forested mountains and Lake Ashi as you glide through the sky. On clear days you can also still see Mt. Fuji at the start of the trip.
During this part of the cable car ride you will pass the Ubako station, a stop that you can use to get to the Shumeikan Onsen.
At Togendai passengers can transfer to the pirate ship for a cruise on Lake Ashi. In Sounzan one can smoothly transfer to the Hakone Tozan Cable Car.
The Hakone Ropeway boasts spacious and comfortable gondolas, that are designed to provide optimal views from large windows. The maximum capacity of the gondolas is 18 people and they run approximately every minute from 9 AM to 5 PM. (except in December and January when they stop about 1 hour earlier)
Tickets
Tickets can be bought on-site or you can ride the ropeway for free with the Hakone Freepass.
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A single ride from Sounzan to Togenday costs 1,500 JPY.
If you plan to travel along the full Hakone loop you get the best deal if you buy the Hakone Freepass. You can then skip the queues at the ticket counters and easily transfer from the Hakone Tozan Cable Car to the ropeway and onwards to the pirate ship for the Lake Ashi cruise.
Getting There
The Hakone Ropeway connects Lake Ashi with Gora.
The 2 end stations are Togendai at Lake Ashi and Sounzan near Gora. Sounzan station is just a short cable car ride from Gora. The terminal station of Togendai is where the pirate ship that does the cruises on Lake Ashi docks.
You can also reach Togendai with several bus lines, the T & G lines of the Hakone Tozan Bus or the W-line of the Odakyu Highway Bus.
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