Komagatake Ropeway

What to know

The Hakone Komagatake Ropeway (箱根駒ヶ岳ロープウェー), not to be confused with the Hakone Ropeway, runs from the shore of Lake Ashinoko to near the Komagatake peak of Mount Hakone. It is not covered by the Hakone Free Pass, though a discount is available.

On clear days, the upper station offers stunning panoramic views of Lake Ashinoko and Mount Fuji. A short walk away, at the actual peak of Komagatake, stands Hakone Shrine Mototsumiya, the original Hakone Shrine, whose main site is now on the more accessible shores of Lake Ashinoko in Moto-Hakone.

Several hiking trails lead from the Komagatake summit down to the shores of Lake Ashinoko, Owakudani, and Sounzan Station. Most trails go through forest with limited panoramic views and may close during volcanic activity.

Near the ropeway's lower station at Hakone-en, on the shores of Lake Ashinoko, there are several attractions including Prince Hotel lodgings, a golf course, a small aquarium, and a petting zoo.

The lower ropeway station at Hakone-en is served by infrequent Odakyu buses and two Izuhakone buses per hour from Togendai (20 minutes, 470 yen one way). From Moto-Hakone, there are infrequent Odakyu buses (10 minutes, 200 yen one way) and even less frequent Izuhakone buses (15 minutes, 380 yen one way). Odakyu buses are covered by the Hakone Free Pass, but Izuhakone buses are not.

Only one of the two cruise companies on Lake Ashinoko, Hakone Pleasure Cruise, serves Hakone-en port where the Komagatake Ropeway is located. It can be reached from Moto-Hakone or Hakone-machi in 15-25 minutes for 1000 yen one way. Note that these boats are not covered by the Hakone Free Pass.