Hakone Ropeway tests a ¥500 "fast lane" for the autumn-leaf weekend of 21–22 November
箱根ロープウェイ 有料優先改札予約（有料ファストレーン）実証実験・箱根登山ケーブルカー優先改札予約
For two peak autumn days you can reserve a 15-minute slot and skip the queue at Sounzan and Owakudani for ¥500 per person. The Hakone Tozan Cablecar offers free priority boarding from Gora the same weekend.
When21 Nov – 22 Nov 2026
WhereSounzan & Owakudani stations, Hakone
On Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November 2026, at the height of Hakone's autumn colours, Hakone Ropeway is trialling its first paid priority gate. It works at two stations only: Sounzan (towards Owakudani) and Owakudani (towards Ubako and Togendai). Going back from Owakudani to Sounzan, and boarding at Ubako or Togendai, is not included.
Slots are every 15 minutes — 11:00 to 15:00 at Sounzan and 11:00 to 16:00 at Owakudani — with 100 places per slot and up to five people per booking. The fast lane costs ¥500 per person (everyone from primary-school age up) on top of your normal ropeway ticket or Hakone Freepass. Cancellation is free.
Bookings open on Friday 13 November at 18:00 on the Hakone Navi website. You pay the ¥500 in cash at the station gate when you show your booking screen. If bad weather stops the ropeway, the fast lane is cancelled too.
The same weekend, the Hakone Tozan Cablecar (Gora → Sounzan only) holds 30 places on one train in each hour from 11:00 to 14:00 for people who reserve free of charge on Hakone Navi; reservations opened on 4 November. Reserved passengers enter the platform first, but a seat is not guaranteed.
For visitors
- The JAPAN RAIL PASS does not cover Hakone; the Hakone Freepass covers the ropeway, cablecar, Tozan trains, buses and the Lake Ashi boats — the ¥500 fast lane is still extra.
- Autumn weekends in Hakone mean long queues at Sounzan; if you can't get a slot, aim to ride outside the 11:00–16:00 peak.
- Bring cash — the fast lane can't be paid by card or IC card.
Sources
- Odakyu Hakone news release via PR TIMES (4 Nov 2026) (official, Japanese)
- Hakone Navi — priority gate reservations (official, Japanese)
Summarised in our own words from the sources above; last checked 5 Nov 2026. Plans can change — confirm with the operator before you travel.
Local experiences
