What other travelers are saying about Hakone Ropeway Owakudani Station
This spot is currently low-traffic, making for a pleasant visit. The cable car line is efficient and moves continuously. Crucially, buy your tickets via machine (credit card accepted) and purchase a 2-way fare immediately, as returning to the base station by cable car is mandatory.
The summit offers views of sulfur vents and a few snack options (ice cream, including an unusual black flavor). It’s primarily a photo opportunity and can be completed comfortably in 30 minutes.
Smooth ride, clear skies, and a Fuji bonus
We rode the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani and had a great experience. Everything ran on time, the cabins were clean, and the ride felt very safe and smooth. The views were incredible—clear skies gave us a perfect look at the surrounding mountains and even Mt. Fuji, which showed up without its usual snowcap. Still stunning.
It’s a short ride but definitely worth it, especially if the weather’s good. Great way to get to Owakudani and enjoy the scenery along the way.
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 adventure in Hakone.
Hakone Ropeway’s Owakudani Station is a well-organized stop with great views of the volcanic valley. The station is clean, easy to navigate, and offers clear information about the ropeway route and nearby attractions. From here, you get excellent vantage points of the steam vents and the surrounding mountains.
Our taxi dropped us off at the the top, so after visiting we took the Ropeway down to the boat ride we had tickets for. Great views of Mt. Fuji. Smooth ride and great scenic views. Great way up and down!
Frequently Asked Questions
Take JR Tokaido Line to Kozu, transfer to JR Tokaido Main Line to Odawara, then Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora, Hakone Tozan Cable Car to Sounzan, and finally Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani Station. The total journey takes about 2-3 hours from Tokyo.
Hakone Ropeway operates daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (until 4:15 PM in winter). One-way tickets cost 840 yen for adults and 420 yen for children. The Hakone Free Pass offers unlimited rides and significant savings for multiple attractions.
At Owakudani Station, you can explore the active volcanic valley with sulfur vents and hot springs, try famous black eggs (kuro-tamago) boiled in sulfur springs, enjoy panoramic views of Mount Fuji on clear days, visit souvenir shops, and experience the dramatic volcanic landscape.
Owakudani Station operations depend on volcanic alert levels. During heightened volcanic activity, the station may temporarily close or restrict access for safety. Check official Hakone Ropeway website or call ahead before visiting, especially during periods of increased sulfur gas emissions.
Yes, Owakudani Station offers spectacular views of Mount Fuji on clear days, particularly during autumn and winter months. The best viewing times are early morning and late afternoon. Weather conditions greatly affect visibility, so check forecasts before your Hakone ropeway journey.
