Visiting Mount Fuji from Odawara with the Hakone Loop Pass
- Anju Chandna
- Nov 27, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 16
Witnessing the iconic Mount Fuji is on every tourist's wishlist who travels to Japan. We were no different.
Visiting Mount Fuji from Odawara with the Hakone Loop Pass is the most touristy way to see Mount Fuji and the breathtakingly beautiful Owakudani Volcanic Valley.
If you are also planning to visit Japan and see Mount Fuji, then you've come to the right place. In this blog, you'll get all the tips that could help you plan your Mount Fuji trip seamlessly.
Let me start by saying that you don't always get lucky with views of Mount Fuji. Stunning natural sights such as this are always elusive, since the peak can remain hidden even on clear days.
We got lucky with spotting this beauty on our train journey from Kyoto to Odawara.
The majestic mountain stood imposingly above a bed of clouds, and its peak was visible in all its glory in the morning sun!
How to Visit Mount Fuji from Odawara using the Hakone Loop Pass
The Hakone Loop Pass will take you through the following route -
- Odawara to Hakone Yumoto Station by train
- Hakone Yumoto Station to Gora by train
- Gora to Sounzan by funicular railway
- Sounzan to Owakudani Volcanic Valley by cable car
- Owakudani to Togendai by cable car
- Togendai to Moto-Hakone by Pirate Ship on Lake Ashi
- Lake Ashi to Hakone by boat or back to Hakone Yumoto or Odawara by bus
The Hakone Loop Pass can be bought for 2 or 3 days online, at the Odawara station or at the Hakone Tozan Line station vending machines. The pass gives access to unlimited travel on all modes of transport in the region, train, bus, funicular, ropeway and ship.
A 2-day pass from Odawara costs 6000 yen, and a 3-day pass costs 6400 yen. As I've mentioned, the pass will lead you seamlessly from one point to another by just following the queues.
Mount Fuji from Odawara: Our Experience using the Hakone Loop Pass
We had plans to stay overnight in Odawara, very close to the railway station, buy the Hakone Loop pass, and see the entire Hakone region at leisure. We had the option to take the Hakone Tozan Line or Hakone Tozan Bus since the pass is valid on both. We opted for the train, which is known for its scenic ride through the Hakone region.
8 modes of transport connect the route all the way up to the Owakudani valley, and the pass gives access to all of them, which can save a lot of time and make navigating the massive crowds easier. You just have to follow the queues and line up for the next mode of transport.
Before I go any further to discuss what we saw and did in Hakone, this short video clip will give you a quick peek into our journey from Odawara to Mount Fuji...
Odawara to Hakone-Yumoto by train
We opted for the train since it is known to go through a very scenic route lasting about 15 minutes.
Hakone Yumoto is a small, charming, touristy town that is the gateway to the Hakone region, known for its Onsen that cater to day-trippers. Apart from Onsen, you will find many typical Japanese experiences like staying in a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), Geisha Shows and restaurants offering local specialities like Onsen Manju (hot spring buns). We decided to keep travelling further and see Mount Fuji first and then come back to Hakone Yumoto later in the evening, if time permits.
Hakone-Yumoto to Gora by train
We saw massive crowds at the Hakone Yumoto station and long queues to get into the train to Gora. This historic train zigzags its way through the mountainside and switches direction twice on its scenic route. The train is also called the 'Hydrangea Train' since it chugs past tracks laden with hydrangea blooms from June to July.
Gora to Sounzan by Funicular
Once you reach Gora Station, you will be led into a long serpentine queue to take the funicular to Sounzan. The queue was so long when we reached that one couldn't see where it started or where it ended. A person was standing with a placard announcing the end of the queue.
The point I'm trying to make is to try to start early to beat the crowds.
Sounzan to Owakudani Volcanic Valley by ropeway
This is one of the most exciting modes of transport in this region. On a clear day, one can see Mount Fuji very clearly from the cable car on the right and the breathtaking Owakudani Volcanic Valley on the left. The day we reached, it was extremely windy and overcast, so we couldn't see Mount Fuji.
On Day 2, on our second ride on the cable car, we spotted Mount Fuji, although its famous snow-clad peak was hidden under a thick cloud cover, we saw this beautiful mountain rising majestically above the valley.
Owakudani to Togendai by ropeway
After spending about an hour taking in the mesmerising beauty of Owakudani Valley and Mount Fuji, we came back to the cable car point for a further trip to Togendai, from where we boarded the boat, a pirate ship, to cruise on Lake Ashinoko.
Togendai to Moto-Hakone by Pirate Ship on Lake Ashi
Lake Ashi to Hakone-Yumoto by bus
The cruise on Lake Ashi lasts about 35 minutes. Once you reach the other end, you can visit the Hakone Shrine, and after that, you have the option to either take a bus back to Hakone-Yumoto or take the cruise back to Togendai.
The bus goes through the vibrant town of Hakone-Yumoto. On the way, you will come across the Hakone Open Air Museum. The museum is not included in the Hakone Loop Pass, and the entry ticket costs 2000 yen. Please check their official website for more details. You can also make a stopover in the town of Hakone Yumoto, visit an Onsen for day-trippers or shop at the local market.
A lot of people also plan to stay in Hakone-Yumoto for easy access to train stations and to enjoy the vibe of this town.
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