Train Tickets from Kyoto to Hakone (Odawara)

Visitors to Kansai can explore Kyoto, the former capital. For good reason, this city is among the most popular locations for tourists visiting Japan. It boasts one of the most unique city plans meant to maintain much of its historic character, and it is home to 17 distinct UNESCO World Heritage sites. Kyoto is also endowed with breathtaking scenery; it is bordered by mountains on three sides, as well as rivers that flow and bamboo woods, such as those found in Arashiyama. Furthermore, Kyoto is home to some of the most highly regarded restaurants, which are highly recommended by both locals and organizations like the Michelin Guide. 

Beautiful scenery and a rich artistic culture are at their best in Hakone, a region of Japan that has to be seen to be believed. There are several activities that are unique to the Hakone region. From taking in the unparalleled number of art museums in the region to savoring the region's signature black eggs, which get their color from boiling in sulfur-rich waters, visitors may enjoy views of Mount Fuji from warm, opulent onsen.

The easiest way to tour around Hakone is with the Hakone Free Pass, which gives you unrestricted access to local transit. Kyoto Station and Odawara Station, near the center of Hakone, are directly connected via the Tokaido Shinkansen and can be traveled between without transfers, depending on the time of departure and train. Visit these two key locations for your next trip to Japan!

When taking the train from Kyoto to Hakone, we highly recommend you book a window seat with a view on Mount Fuji, to get the chance to experience one of Japan's most iconic views from its modern landmark, the Shinkansen bullet train!

Please note that during peak travel seasons, we may have to change your train to another one up to 15 minutes earlier or later than the original booking to ensure a window seat reservation.

Different types of Shinkansen

On the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Hikari and Kodama Shinkansen bullet trains will take commuters out to Odawara from Kyoto. The often mentioned Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansens are also part of this network, but DO NOT STOP at Odawara on the way to Kyoto. On the Shinkansen itself, there are onboard amenities such as power outlets and reclining seats. Enjoy your time commuting in Japan in style and comfort.

How to get to Kyoto Station

Situated in the heart of the former capital of Japan, Kyoto Station is easily accessible by public transportation from JR or Kintetsu, the regional rail company operating in the Kansai area. Kyoto Station is also a stop on the Karasuma subway line. You can connect to a range of bus routes and travel anywhere in Kyoto from Kyoto Station, which serves as the hub of the well-known and extensive bus network in the city.

Where to go from Odawara Station

Departing from Hakone Yumoto Station, Odawara Station is a short local train trip from central Hakone, situated in Kanagawa Prefecture. The Hakone Free Pass is valid for this route, but Odawara and Odawara Station—which is a Shinkansen train stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train line that connects Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka with an extension to Kyushu via the Sanyo Shinkansen line—will be the primary hub for travel to and from other regions of Japan. 

How far in advance can I book train tickets?

You can book train tickets in Japan between 9 months prior to your train's departure date and 3 days before departure. 

Is there a special train ticket fare for children?

Yes, there are special fares applicable for children. Ages 12 and up are considered adults, but kids aged from 6 to 11 benefit from a reduced fare. Children under the age of 6 travel for free. This free fare is limited to 2 tickets, meaning any additional child under 6 will then pay the classic child fare.

Where to exchange your train tickets in Japan depending on region

In the JR West area (blue), you can exchange your QR code for a physical train ticket at reserved seat ticket machines in stations, or at Midori-no-Madoguchi ticket windows with station staff. In the JR Central area (orange), you can exchange your QR code at reserved seat ticket vending machines at indicated stations. In the JR East area (green), you can exchange your train tickets at Shinkansen stations, major stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and Narita Airport stations. 

How to use your train tickets in Japan

To use your train tickets once you have exchanged them, simply head to Kyoto Station, insert your train ticket into the automatic gates (don't forget to take it back), and head to the right platform to hop on your train. On board the train, find the seat number that is on your ticket if you have a seat reservation, and enjoy the ride! Once you've arrived in Odawara, insert the ticket again at the gates upon exiting Odawara Station, and the area is now yours to explore. A separate train will be need to be ridden to access Hakone-Yumoto and other areas in Hakone, but all are accessible with the Hakone Free Pass. 

Modification and Cancellation

Order cancellation

Customers have up to 3 working days prior to their departure date to cancel their train ticket orders as long as they have not scanned the corresponding QR code and exchanged for their physical train tickets. A 15% cancellation fee will be charged, and the QR code will be instantly deactivated upon order cancellation. Cancellation of only a portion of the booking is not possible. 

For train ticket orders that have already had the corresponding QR code scanned and where the tickets have been received, or orders in less than 3 working days before departure, orders may be canceled at JR Station offices in the departure city up to 10 minutes before your train departure, where a refund will be issued with a 5%-10% cancellation fee, depending on the station and office. This refund will be made in cash in Japanese yen. 

Cancellation cannot be done at ticket machines. Please note JR Central offices can only cancel routes running through JR Central lines. 

Past the day and time of departure, refunds cannot be issued, regardless if the corresponding QR code has been used or not, and regardless if customers have received their physical tickets or not. Note that however, if you missed the departure train of the time, you can still board the next trains within 1 hour, in non-reserved seats.

These cancellation conditions still apply after one modification, according to the modification conditions below.

Order modification 

If you want to modify:

• Departure time on the same day OR seat for another seat except luggage seat:

Japan Experience can modify one time, free of charge, your booking if the corresponding QR code has not been used AND if it is NOT within 3 working days of the departure date. 

You will then be sent a new QR code to use at JR stations to exchange for your new tickets.

Otherwise, you will need to go to JR station machines to exchange your QR code to receive your tickets and then change the departure time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to your train departure.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information.

• Departure date, route, seat for luggage seat, number of seats in the booking: 

Japan Experience cannot modify your booking. You will need to go to JR station machines to exchange QR code to receive your tickets and change time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to departure. There may be a difference in fare to be paid on the spot.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information. 

• If you have made a mistake in your departure date or number of seats, you have to make a new booking online. Japan Experience will allow you to cancel your previous order free of charge. Kindly note that modifications for the new issued tickets won't be possible.

Eligibility

All persons above the age of 12, with no restrictions on residence status or nationality, are eligible to purchase individual train tickets (unlike the Japan Rail Pass and some JR regional passes, for example). Japanese individuals as well as foreigners living in Japan can thus purchase train tickets online. Under the age of 12, the aforementioned child fare conditions apply. 

Validity of train tickets

Train tickets issued are only valid for the date and time indicated on your booking and are to be used only on the Kyoto to Odawara route.