Hakone Tozan Railway
箱根登山鉄道
A historic mountain railway opened in 1919, connecting Hakone-Yumoto and Gora stations. Over its 8.9-km length, it includes three switchback sections and climbs Japan's steepest gradient for an adhesion-type railway, at 80 per mille. Highlights along the line for railway enthusiasts include the British-built truss bridge "Deyama Tekkyo" (Hayakawa Bridge), erected in 1887, and a triple-rail track where standard and narrow gauges coexist, and from mid-June to early July, hydrangeas lining the route fill the windows, earning it the nickname the "Hydrangea Train." The train windows also offer views of gorge scenery and hot-spring towns, and the railway journey itself has become part of the pleasure of visiting Hakone as the standard way to travel from Hakone-Yumoto toward Gora and Sengokuhara.
A mountain railway climbing switchbacks and steep grades
The train performs switchbacks at three points — Deyama signal station, Ohiradai Station, and Kami-Ohiradai signal station — zigzagging up the mountain while reversing direction. At each switchback, the driver and conductor can be seen swapping cabs, offering a sight unique to mountain railways. Since opening in 1919, it has continued running on Japan's steepest adhesion-type gradient, at 80 per mille.
The Hydrangea Train and highlights along the route
From mid-June to early July, hydrangeas blooming across the slopes along the line fill the train windows, earning it the beloved nickname "Hydrangea Train" among many visitors. Limited nighttime illuminated runs are also held during this period. Railway heritage highlights along the route include the Hayakawa Bridge (known as Deyama Tekkyo), a British-built truss bridge erected in 1887, and a triple-rail track where the standard-gauge mountain train and narrow-gauge Odakyu trains share the same line.
Seasonal Highlights
🌿 Summer (Jun-Aug)
From mid-June to early July, hydrangeas reach full bloom, and the "Hydrangea Train" also runs illuminated night trains.
Visit Tips
- Suggested duration
- About 40 minutes riding from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora
- Crowd levels
- Both the train and the areas along the line get crowded on weekends during hydrangea season
- Best time to visit
- Weekday mornings during hydrangea season; right after the first train during normal seasons
| Address | 1300-329 Gora, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa |
|---|---|
| Hours | First and last trains vary by season (3-4 trains per hour during the day) |
| Admission | Hakone-Yumoto to Gora: adults ¥460, children ¥230 one way (varies by section) |
| Official Website | Visit official website |
Access
- 0 min walk from Hakone-Yumoto Station (About 35-75 minutes from Odawara Station via the Odakyu Romancecar or other trains to Hakone-Yumoto Station)
- 0 min walk from Gora Station (About 40 minutes from Hakone-Yumoto Station via the Hakone Tozan Railway)