The Hakone Ropeway (箱根ロープウェイ) is a scenic aerial lift located in the Hakone area of Japan. It connects the towns of Sounzan and Togendai, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and Lake Ashi.
The ropeway journey begins at Sounzan, where visitors can take a cable car to the first station, Owakudani. Owakudani is a volcanic valley known for its hot springs and sulfur vents. Visitors can explore the area on foot, including visiting the “Owakudani Kurotamagokan” (大涌谷くろたまご館) to observe the volcanic activity and purchase black eggs boiled in the hot springs, which are said to add seven years to one’s life.
From Owakudani, visitors can take another cable car to Ubako Station (姥子駅), which serves as the access point for Ubako Onsen. Then, continuing on, they can take the ropeway to the final destination, Togendai Station (桃源台駅), located on the shores of Lake Ashi. Along the 4 km journey, the ropeway, which was upgraded to a funitel system in 2002, provides stunning views of Mount Fuji, the surrounding mountains, and the lake itself.
At Togendai, visitors can explore the lake by boat, such as taking a ride on one of the Hakone Pirate Ships, or enjoy a leisurely stroll along the shore. The area is renowned for its picturesque scenery and is a popular destination for photographers.
Getting there
By Train and Cable Car
From Tokyo:
- Take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station (85 minutes by Romance Car)
- Transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora Station
- Take the Hakone Tozan Cable Car to Sounzan Station
- The ropeway journey begins at Sounzan Station
By Bus
From Hakone-Yumoto Station:
- Take the Hakone Tozan Bus to Togendai Station
- Board the ropeway at Togendai Station
Ropeway Stations
The Hakone Ropeway connects four stations:
- Sounzan Station
- Owakudani Station
- Ubako Station
- Togendai Station
Details
| Hours | 9:00 AM – 4:45 PM |
| Source | https://www.hakonenavi.jp/international/en/transportation/hakone-ropeway |
