Hakone Tozan Cable Car

Overview

The Hakone Tozan Cable Car is a funicular railway climbing steeply from Gora to Sounzan, connecting the mountain railway to the ropeway that continues to Owakudani. The short but dramatic ride ascends through lush forest in just 10 minutes.

Highlights

• Steep Ascent: The funicular climbs 214 meters over just 1.2 km of track, offering dramatically tilted views of the forested mountainside.
• Station Gardens: Several intermediate stations — Koen-shimo, Koen-kami, Naka-gora, and Kami-gora — sit beside gardens and museums, allowing stop-offs along the way.
• Transport Link: The cable car is a key link in the Hakone Golden Course loop route connecting trains, aerial ropeways, and lake cruises.

History

Opened in 1921, just two years after the Hakone Tozan Railway, the cable car was built to extend the mountain railway's reach further up toward the volcanic zone. It has been modernized from its original Swiss-built technology but retains its essential character.

Visitor Tips

• Free Pass: Included in the Hakone Free Pass, making it part of the cost-effective loop route.
• Stop-offs: Get off at Koen-kami for direct access to Gora Park and the Hakone Museum of Art.
• Duration: 10 minutes one-way, plus optional stop-offs.