Romancecar: The Odakyu Limited Express to Hakone

Meet the reserved-seat Odakyu limited express that carries visitors from Shinjuku to Hakone in about 80 minutes, with panoramic windows and no standing.

Published October 22, 2026 at 12:32 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: The Romancecar is Odakyu Electric Railway's reserved-seat limited express from Shinjuku in Tokyo to Hakone-Yumoto, Odawara, Enoshima and other destinations in the southwest. The trip to Hakone-Yumoto takes about 80 minutes. You pay your normal fare plus a limited express charge, and every seat is reserved, so nobody stands even at busy times.

Many visitors planning a Hakone trip wonder whether the Romancecar is worth booking or whether an ordinary Odakyu train does the same job. Both reach the same area, but the experience and the travel time are different. This guide explains what the Romancecar is, how its tickets work, which train models you might ride, and how it fits with a Hakone pass. It also clears up a few common mix-ups so that the booking window and the gate rules feel simple on the day.

What the Romancecar actually is

The Romancecar is the brand name Odakyu uses for its limited express trains leaving Shinjuku for the hills and coast southwest of Tokyo. The most famous service runs to Hakone-Yumoto, the gateway to the Hakone hot spring area, but other Romancecar services go to Odawara, to Gotemba near Mount Fuji, and to Katase-Enoshima by the sea. All of them are limited express trains, which in Japan means a faster service with reserved seats that needs an extra ticket on top of the basic fare.

The name comes from the pairs of seats that Odakyu calls romance seats: two seats side by side with no armrest between them. Odakyu holds the trademark on the term, so you will only see it used for these trains. The idea was a comfortable, slightly special way to travel for couples, families and friends, and the name has stuck for generations.

A short history of a famous train

The story begins in 1957, when the 3000 series SE train entered service. In September of that year it set a speed record for narrow-gauge railways of 145 kilometers per hour, and the engineering lessons from that run helped shape Japan's later high-speed trains. Later generations followed, including the 3100 series in 1963, the 7000 series in 1980, the 10000 series in 1988 and the 20000 series in 1992.

The 30000 series EXE arrived in 1996, the 50000 series VSE in 2005, the 60000 series MSE in 2008 and the 70000 series GSE in 2018. The VSE earned the nickname of a moving cafe and was fully retired in December 2023, so visitors today will meet the newer models instead. Several of these designs also have an elevated driver's compartment, which lets passengers at the very front enjoy a forward view.

Where the services go

The service most travelers want is simply called Hakone. It runs from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, where the Odakyu line meets the Hakone Tozan Line. A Metro Hakone version starts on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line and continues through to the same destination, which is handy if you are staying near that subway line. The Sagami service is a shorter version that stops at Odawara and does not continue up the mountain railway.

Other names tell you the purpose of the train. Mt. Fuji runs from Shinjuku to Gotemba on a JR Central line, and Enoshima goes to Katase-Enoshima for the island and beaches. Morning Way trains head into Shinjuku in the early morning from Odawara and Katase-Enoshima, while Home Way trains leave Shinjuku after 6 p.m. and are popular with commuters who live along the line. A weekend-only express, Super Hakone, runs without intermediate stops.

Models you may ride

Which train arrives depends on the timetable, but you can choose by looking at the model name when you book. The GSE, the 70000 series, is the newest. According to Odakyu's English guide it has 16 panoramic seats at the front and another 16 at the rear, and there is no extra charge for these seats beyond the usual fare. Large luggage has its own space, and smaller bags fit under the seats.

The MSE, the 60000 series, was the first Romancecar built to run through onto the Chiyoda Line, and it earned a Blue Ribbon Award when it appeared. The EXE and the refurbished EXEα handle many of the other trips. The EXEα has a dedicated suitcase area, and the EXE, EXEα and MSE all have overhead shelves for carry-on bags. Not every seat has the same view, so it is worth reading the seat map when you reserve.

How tickets and charges work

The system has two parts, and this is where most confusion starts. First you need a regular ticket for the ride itself. This can be a standard fare ticket, a discount pass such as the Hakone Freepass, or a PASMO or Suica transport IC card tapped at the gate. Second you need a limited express ticket for the seat. Odakyu's English page states clearly that the regular train ticket is the one required at the ticket gate.

The limited express charge depends on the distance. The surcharge to Hakone-Yumoto is around 1,200 yen for an adult, with lower charges for nearer places such as Odawara or Katase-Enoshima, and children aged 6 to 11 pay the child rates. Prices can change, so confirm the current amount on the Odakyu site. Tickets generally go on sale at 10 a.m. Japan time one month before departure, and they can be bought at station windows, at ticket machines or online through the EMot ticket service, where digital tickets work on a smartphone. Changes and refunds are possible only before departure.

Planning your day around the train

The Romancecar takes about 80 minutes to Hakone-Yumoto, while ordinary Rapid Express and Express trains take about two hours, according to Odakyu. That saved time is the main reason many visitors choose it, and the guaranteed seat is the second. Mornings, weekends and the autumn leaf season are busy, so booking early gives you the widest choice of departure times and seats.

Once you arrive at Hakone-Yumoto, the Hakone Tozan Line continues uphill toward Gora. Wikipedia describes this as Japan's first mountain railway, with two switchbacks on the climb. From there a cable car, a ropeway and a sightseeing boat on Lake Ashi make up the well-known Hakone loop. Many visitors pair the train with the Hakone Freepass, which Odakyu lists at about 7,100 yen for two days from Shinjuku, so it is worth checking whether the pass fits your plan.

Common mix-ups to avoid

Some travelers expect the Japan Rail Pass to cover the Romancecar. It does not, because Odakyu is a private railway and not part of JR. Another mix-up is assuming the limited express ticket works as a gate ticket. It does not, so make sure you also hold a regular ticket or tap an IC card. A third question is the departure station. The Shinjuku terminal is at the West Exit side of the station.

Children under 6 need tickets only if they occupy a seat, which is helpful for families with infants. Finally, remember that a Romancecar journey is a reserved service, so arrive in good time and check the car and seat number printed on your ticket. A quick look at the platform display usually shows which model is coming.

How the Romancecar fits the bigger picture

For many visitors, the ride is the first scenic step of a Hakone trip. The city fades into suburbs, and the hills, rivers and coast slowly appear outside the window. The experience is relaxed and orderly, which suits the quiet, comfort-first mood of an onsen weekend. It also works well as part of a loop day trip, with the Romancecar on the way out and a regular train on the way back.

The Romancecar is also a small piece of railway culture. Many fans enjoy comparing models, and the history from 1957 to the GSE tells a story of Japanese design and engineering. Whether you ride it for the views, for the convenience or just for the name, the train rewards a little planning, and a ticket booked in advance makes the morning feel unhurried.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Romancecar take from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto?

Odakyu states that the trip takes about 80 minutes from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto. Ordinary Rapid Express and Express trains on the same line take about two hours, so the Romancecar saves a noticeable amount of time. Exact times vary by service, so check the current timetable on the official site before you travel.

Is a seat reservation required on the Romancecar?

Yes, all Romancecar seats are reserved, and there is no standing even in busy periods. You need a limited express ticket for your seat plus a regular fare ticket, a discount pass or a PASMO or Suica card for the gate. Tickets usually go on sale one month ahead at 10 a.m. Japan time, so popular days can fill up early.

Is the Romancecar covered by the Japan Rail Pass?

No. Odakyu is a private railway, and the Japan Rail Pass applies only to JR group services. You can still use the Romancecar by buying a limited express ticket and paying the regular fare, or by using a pass sold by Odakyu such as the Hakone Freepass. Check the Odakyu website for the latest details.

Further Reading

To explore further, see Romancecar overview and history, Odakyu official Romancecar guide and Hakone Tozan Railway.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Hakone Day Trip: Lake Ashi, Hot Springs and Fuji Views, Hakone and Owakudani: Volcanic Valley and How To Ride Japanese Trains: Gates, Tickets and Platforms.