Hakone-Yumoto Station

Flow of the course

About this spot

The Hakone Tozan Railway climbs one of Japan's steepest gradients from Hakone-Yumoto Station, the gateway to Hakone, up to Gora Station. Along the way it makes three switchbacks, reversing direction each time as the driver and conductor swap places, a sight that thrills kids. The windows are filled with deep green forest and a ravine, and the hydrangeas along the line are usually at their best from mid-June through July.

Tips

The front of the train, with its forward view, is worth lining up early for. Since this is a day of transferring between different rides, buying a Hakone Free Pass at Hakone-Yumoto Station makes things easy by skipping the need to pay each time.

Best time to visit

About 40 minutes on board; trains around 9am are relatively uncrowded.

Access & map

〒250-0311 神奈川県足柄下郡箱根町湯本