Train Tickets from Hakone (Odawara) to Kyoto
Getting from Hakone to Kyoto
Experience two of the most representative locations of Japan’s famous scenery at both Hakone and Kyoto! Hakone is a picturesque location in Kanagawa Prefecture near the foot of Mount Fuji, providing incredible views of the iconic mountain as well as warm and relaxing onsen hot springs from the nearby volcanic activity.
In Kansai, travelers can explore the ancient capital of Kyoto. This city is one of the most popular destinations for travelers to Japan, and for good reason. It’s home to 17 different UNESCO World Heritage sites and has one of the most interesting city layouts intended to preserve much of the historic character Kyoto is also blessed with gorgeous nature, surrounded by mountains on three sides along with flowing rivers and bamboo forests, like Arashiyama. Additionally, some of the most lauded restaurants call Kyoto home, highly praised by locals as well as authorities such as the Michelin Guide.
More information about your journey to Kyoto!
Hakone is an area of Japan that must be visited to be believed, blessed with gorgeous nature and art culture. There are many things to do that are distinctly part of the Hakone DNA. From enjoying views of Mount Fuji from a warm, luxurious onsen to seeing the unrivaled amount of art museums in the area to indulging in the signature black eggs that get their color from being boiled in the sulfur-rich waters of the area. Hakone is most easily explored using the Hakone Free Pass, which allows for unlimited travel using local transportation options.
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!
Tickets booked with Japan Experience are issued through an official partnership with JR West, meaning you are dealing directly with the train operator that will take you from Hakone to Kyoto.
Reserve your seat with a view on Mount Fuji
On the way from Hakone, right after departing from Odawara Station, passengers can get a chance to see Mount Fuji from the train. To do so, select a window seat reservation and let yourself be amazed! This will be right before Shizuoka Station. After passing Mount Fuji, the natural landscapes of Japan will continue to offer their timeless charm to you before you reach your destination, Kyoto Station.
More about the Mount Fuji view seat option
When taking the train from Hakone to Kyoto, 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.
Advantages of taking the train from Hakone to Kyoto
How to book your Hakone to Kyoto train tickets
Shinkansen information
Hakone and Kyoto are connected via the Tokaido Shinkansen, which goes between Kanto and Kansai with an extension out to Kyushu with the Sanyo Shinkansen. For direct transit from Kyoto, it’s best for travelers to depart from Odawara Station. On the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Hikari and Kodama Shinkansen bullet trains will take commuters out to Odawara from Kyoto, traversing a little less than 420 kilometers in a little over 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Why book your train tickets with Japan Experience
How to exchange train tickets in Japan
When you purchase a train ticket with Japan Experience, you will receive a QR code via email.
To receive your usable tickets, simply scan the QR code at ticket machines located inside stations in Japan and, if asked, enter the phone number associated with your order, which Japan Experience will provide you with.
In lieu of the QR code, the five-digit registration number (beginning with the number “4”) found in the order confirmation email can also be used.
Please find more information below about ticket fares and exchanging your train tickets upon arriving in Japan, whether it is at the airport or at major stations in the city. With your QR code, you will also receive a detailed user guide to guide you through the easy and efficient process of getting your physical train tickets in Japan.
Read more about the exchange process, conditions, and validity of train tickets below
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 Odawara 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 Kyoto, insert the ticket again at the gates upon exiting Kyoto Station, and the city is now yours to explore.
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.
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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 Hakone to Kyoto route.
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