By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 27th May 2024 | Updated: 29th November 2024
Hakone may be a little under the radar for most travellers to Japan, but it is a great stop off location from Tokyo to Kyoto. Plus it is full to the brim with onsens and incredible views of Mount Fuji, why wouldn’t you want to visit! So how do you get between Hakone and Kyoto and what is the best route to take?
Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:
Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com
Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com
Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com
Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide & Viator
Currency Conversion: We recommend Wise
Travel Insurance: World Nomads
Hakone to Kyoto by Car
It takes roughly 5 hours without breaks, to drive from Hakone to Kyoto. Assuming you take the quickest route, you will also have to pay express tolls on top of any fuel costs.
Hakone to Kyoto by Bus
Strangely, even though it is a bit of a detour, travelling from Hakone to Tokyo and then on to Kyoto is actually cheaper and slightly less time consuming than if you go from Hakone straight to Kyoto. That being said it still takes on average 12 hours on an overnight bus and can cost anywhere between 4,000 – 12,000 yen depending on the bus type to take and the comfort you want. Book your bus here at Japan Bus Online.
Hakone to Kyoto by Local Train
Taking the local trains from Hakone to Kyoto is very difficult and time consuming as there is no direct route, so no one actually does it. If you really want to take a local train then your best bet is to go from Odawara, or elsewhere in Hakone to Mishima Station, which takes anywhere from 40 minutes, then switch onto the Toakido Sanyo Shinkansen line there.
Hakone to Kyoto by Shinkansen
As with any Shinkansen to and from Hakone, you will have to change at Odawara Station then switch onto the Hakone Tozan Railway or Hakone Tozan Bus from there as the Shinkansens do not serve Hakone directly. If you choose to take the Shinkansen from Hakone to Kyoto though, it takes any where from half an hour to an hour to get from various locations in Hakone to Odawara, then a further 2 hours on the Shinkansen to Kyoto. Also it is worth noting that only the Kodama and select Hikari trains stop at Odawara, so be sure to get on the right Shinkansen!
If you want to take the Nozomi Shinkansen, which can be a bit faster depending on your connections, then your best bet is to actually travel to Yokohama then switch trains.
Another tip if you do take the Shinkansen is to sit on the right hand side of the train, facing the direction of travel, from here on a clear day you can see Mount Fuji after you leave Odawara Station!
🚅 How long does it take to get from Hakone to Kyoto by Shinkansen? 🚅
The Shinkansen lines don’t serve Hakone directly, the closest stop you can get to via them is at Odawara, but from Odawara to Hakone takes around 2 hours.
🚅 How much is the Shinkansen from Hakone to Kyoto? 🚅
One-way the trip from Odawara to Kyoto costs around 11,000 yen.
🚅 What rail passes cover the Shinkansen from Hakone to Kyoto? 🚅
The Shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto is fully covered by the JR Pass assuming you take a Kodama or Hikari train. If you take a Nozomi a further fee will be required.
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How To Get From Hakone To Kyoto FAQs
Is it easy to get to Kyoto from Hakone?
It is relatively easy to get between Kyoto and Hakone, although depending on where you are leaving from within Hakone, you might need to make a couple of connections via train. Whilst we were visiting Hakone we were staying in Gora, which meant switching trains in both Hakone-Yumoto Station and Odawara before arriving in Kyoto.
How do I get from Kyoto to Hakone using JR Pass?
You can’t use the JR Pass within Hakone, but you can however use a JR Pass between Odawara and Kyoto on the Tokaido-Sanyo line.
What is the best way to travel from Hakone to Kyoto?
The best way to travel between Hakone and Kyoto is via train.
Is Hakone to Kyoto a day trip?
Hakone is not a day trip from Kyoto as it could take anywhere between 3 and 4 hours to get between them.
How far is it from Hakone to Kyoto?
Hakone is located approximately 397 km / 247 miles north east of Kyoto.
Conclusion: How To Get From Hakone To Kyoto
Getting between Hakone and Kyoto is relatively easy, assuming you take a mix of public transport. We would highly recommend taking the local trains from within Hakone to Odawara and then switching to the Shinkansen to Kyoto, not only just for speed but also in terms of cost.
All Our Japan Content
Here are a few other articles you may find useful for planning your trip:
📍 How To Get From Tokyo To Hakone
📍 How To Get From Tokyo To Kyoto
📍 How To Get From Kyoto To Hiroshima
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.