Hakone Ropeway Ōwakudani Station — Attraction in Hakone

I'd really love to give this place 5-stars, but here are the reasons I can't (at time of posting):

The first 2 stations on the Gora side are closed to the ropeway cars. It's obvious when you arrive via the cable car that the first station is undergoing massive construction, but after you pay they forward you to a waiting bus. What they don't say is that unless you pay for the whole trip to the end (and back if you prefer), you'll be getting bussed to the station instead of riding the ropeway. We paid for the highest station on the ropeway, and it ended up being a very expensive short bus ride with no mention at all that we weren't getting any time on the actual ropeway. When we got to the 2nd station, they told us (through very difficult translated communication on Google Translate) that we only paid for the sections that are now transported by bus during construction. After approximately 30 minutes, the staff let us pay the difference to continue on the ropeway to the end (the lake). There is no discount or reduction at all for the bus alternative - you pay the same price as you normally would if the Ropeway was running.

This attraction is really, really hit or miss. I don't fault the place for our extremely poor weather (complete fog cover with 0% visibility in the air), but you're taking a risk coming here. Luckily for us it wasn't too far from our hotel and the trip wasn't a mandatory thing.

In addition to the extremely heavy construction, the boat tour was closed as well. I felt bad for anyone who bought the Hakone Free Pass as there was no way to use it for some sort of value savings (especially if bought outside the 'free zone')

The pass price is different if you buy it inside Hakone at Obawadara (sp?) Station versus say Tokyo. 5200 yen in Tokyo vs 4000 yen inside the free zone. I read this online prior to going and opted not to buy the pass given the weather, but if I had bought in Tokyo I'd be highly annoyed.

That all being said...... From the pictures and videos, this place and this attraction are absolutely gorgeous in correct conditions and functionality. I would visit again but for all the issues right now, the best I could possibly...

My Experience at Hakone Ropeway – Please Be Cautious

I visited Hakone Ropeway on May 4, 2025, traveling from Okinawa. I’ve been living in Japan for around eight years, but today I had one of the most difficult and frustrating experiences.

I purchased a round-trip ticket for the cable car and waited about 3.5 hours in line, which I understand is common during public holidays. After our one-way ride from Owakudani to Togendai, which ended around 5:00 PM, I expected to return the same way. However, the staff told us that the cable car service back to Owakudani had stopped.

This created a serious problem because I had left my car at Owakudani Station, and I was with my family, including our 3-year-old child. We waited for nearly an hour trying to catch a bus or taxi, but nothing was available. My wife became very upset and even cried. We don’t speak Japanese well, and when I tried calling the police for help, I couldn’t explain the situation due to the language barrier.

Fortunately, we met a kind Sri Lankan family who spoke Japanese. They tried to speak with the ropeway staff on our behalf, but shockingly, the staff said they couldn’t help since the service had ended and all employees had already left. Their only suggestion was to find a hotel and stay overnight. I never expected such kind of behaviour from Japan but it was, and I was very upset about that.

Finding a hotel in the area was incredibly difficult and expensive—rooms ranged from $1,000 to $2,000 USD per night. Eventually, we managed to stay somewhere and waited until the next morning to return.

This was my experience at Hakone Ropeway. Please plan carefully and be prepared, especially if you’re traveling with family. I hope this helps others avoid a similar...

The Hakone Ropeway is one of the best ways to experience the beauty and volcanic landscape of Hakone. The ride itself is smooth, and as the gondola lifts off, the views quickly become spectacular. On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji standing tall in the distance, and beneath you stretch the rolling green mountains and volcanic valleys. The journey is comfortable, spacious, and gives you plenty of time to soak in the scenery and take photos.

The highlight of the ropeway is reaching Owakudani, the famous volcanic valley. As soon as you step out, the smell of sulfur fills the air, reminding you that you’re standing on an active volcanic site. The steaming vents and bubbling hot springs are fascinating to watch and make the whole area feel otherworldly. A must-try here are the famous black eggs boiled in the hot spring water. Eating one is said to add seven years to your life—it’s a fun and unique experience you can’t miss.

There are also souvenir shops and food stalls where you can buy snacks or gifts to take home. Overall, the ropeway and Owakudani together make for a memorable, scenic, and exciting...