We visited the Hakone Ropeway during Golden Week in May. That was our first mistake. We took the ropeway late in the afternoon and that was our second mistake. Huge crowds and ages in line. However, it was still a wonderful way to see Mt Fuji, travel over a volcano crater and we used it to get to the lake for a brief ‘pirate ship’ sail in the late afternoon. Be aware, however, that there is only one road out of the Hakone crater that leads to the Odawara Shinkansen station. On our way out, there was a car accident and we were stuck on a bus in traffic for two hours. Luckily we were able to catch the 9.10pm Shinkansen back to Tokyo.
We visited Hakone Ropeway Owakudani Station as a family of four (2 adults and 2 kids), and the experience was fantastic from start to finish.
The ropeway ride was smooth and scenic, offering breathtaking views of the mountains, valleys, and volcanic landscapes. The kids loved the excitement of gliding above the terrain, while we enjoyed the panoramic vistas.
At Owakudani Station, the atmosphere was lively, with the famous volcanic steam vents adding a unique touch to the visit. The station itself was well organized, clean, and easy to navigate, making the whole experience stress-free.
Overall, the Hakone Ropeway and Owakudani Station provided a memorable and family-friendly adventure. It’s a must-do when visiting Hakone — combining natural beauty, fun for kids, and a truly unique Japanese travel experience.
Hakone Ropeway is an absolute highlight and a must-do when you’re in Hakone.
The ride is incredibly smooth and feels very safe, so you can just relax and enjoy the experience. And the views… honestly, they’re next level. You’re gliding over dense forest one minute and then straight across the volcanic landscape the next.
Passing over Owakudani is something else — you’re right above the sulphur fields with steam rising all around you. It’s surreal and not something you see every day.
On a clear day, you’ll also get amazing views of Mount Fuji, which just tops off the whole experience.
It’s very much worth it, especially since it’s included as part of the Hakone Free Pass, making it easy to fit into your day.
One of those experiences where photos don’t quite capture it — you just have to be there. Highly recommend.
I was lucky enough to catch clear views of Mount Fuji from Hakone Ropeway Ōwakudani Station, which made the whole ride even better. The scenery around the lake was beautiful too. If you’re starting from the port side, the queue didn’t feel too bad, and going earlier in the day made the trip much smoother. I’d definitely plan the Hakone Free Pass in advance.
We were on this as part of an all-day tour. It takes you up for a view of the area. There's a real interesting spot it goes over which is also startling as you are VERY high over it at that point. It's an area where they used to mine Sulphur. Now they are working on the area to keep it safe. You can see plumes of Sulphur smoke coming out of the ground. The cable cars are large with comfortable seats.
