Hakone Yumoto Station luggage storage

About Hakone Yumoto Station 

After a few days of sightseeing (and eating, and drinking) through Tokyo, many travelers find a need for a relaxing day trip or spa treatment. Set in the shadows of Mount Fuji in Kanagawa Prefecture near Tokyo, Hakone is one of the top destinations for a relaxing getaway. There are numerous Onsen, the wonderful hot springs often found in the mountainous areas in Japan. These natural hot springs have been turned into some of the most unique and restorative spa treatments imaginable, which makes Hakone a destination for both Japanese and international travelers. 

Surrounding Hakone are densely forested hills and mountains, creating a remote and tranquil vibe that will give some travelers a nice respite from the intensely metropolitan Yokohama or Tokyo. There are miles of hiking trails for epic views of Mount Fuji along with the lovely Hakone Shrine which has been enveloped in leafy terrain. You can take a series of cable cars and ropeways to traverse the topography and soar through the hills, making it easy to get around without a car. 

For international travelers without access to a car, the most common way to get to the city is by taking the Hakone Tozan Line from Odawara. The neighboring town of Odawara is more connected to the Tokyo and Yokohama train networks, and the two cities are common stops on the same trek through the mountains near the capital. 

Hakone Yumoto Station is situated right in the town near many of the attractions and hotels, although the various hot springs, shrines, and temples are sprawled out across the surrounding topography. Hakone Yumoto provides an easy transit experience, and the Hakone Tozan Line is about as scenic a train ride as you’ll find, which makes it an easier decision not to rent a car.

Here’s everything you need to know about Hakone-Yumoto Station: 

Does Hakone Station have coin lockers? 

There are both coin lockers at Hakone Station along with a full baggage service. The coin lockers are relatively small and can accommodate small luggage and backpacks. There is a luggage delivery service at the station’s main hall where you can give them your bag, and they will both store and deliver your items to your hotel. This is ideal if you’re heading right to Hakone Shrine or one of the spas for a few hours before heading to your hotel. 

Can you store luggage at your Hakone Hotel? 

There are plenty of hotels in Hakone that can store your luggage for a few hours while you poke around the city, even if it’s before your check-in time. For example, the local favorites Hotel Okada, Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort, Hakone Sengokuhara Prince Hotel, Hakone Highland Hotel, Hakone Yumoto Hotel, and Hakone Machi Hotels will offer baggage storage through their concierge desk. The bellhop will be happy to take the bags, although a tip is customary. Some hotels might take bags even if a person isn’t a guest, but this is rare. 

How do you get around Hakone without a car? 

The actual city center is highly walkable, especially if you’re staying in one of the hotels near Hakone Yumoto Station. You won’t really need public transportation, but there are a few options that might help with your logistics. To get around the neighboring areas, you can take the Hakone Tozan Bus to reach the Venetian Glass Museum and Hakone Open Air Museum. The Hakone Tozan Cable Car provides some epic views from its scenic route, and the Hakone Ropeway will connect you to the amazing shrine and Lake Ashi. 

Things to do near Hakone Yumoto Station

Hakone Shrine 

Aside from the views of Mount Fuji, most travelers head to the area to pay their respects at the highly revered Shinto shrine situated at the foothills of Mount Hakone next to Lake Ashinoko. The shrine’s complex is atypical in that its many buildings are spread out across the slopes of the mountain. It's easy enough to find as massive Torii gates welcome travelers who will scale the flight of steps leading to the main complex. Lined with traditional lanterns, the shrine is hauntingly beautiful in the morning when the fog and mist are at their height. You can tour the shrine or simply walk around and enjoy the stellar views of the lake and Mount Fuji. There are worse ways to get your steps in, that's for sure!

Take a dip in Hakone’s hot springs 

If you need a little R&R, there’s no place in Japan better suited to helping you get your energy levels back up than the traditional onsen hot springs. The restorative properties of hot spring water are famous across cultures but are especially revered in Japan. The thermal nature of the terrain surrounding Hakone makes it a hot spring haven. There are a few dozen onsen lining Lake Ashi, and you really can’t go wrong with any of Hakone’s spas. Some of these are public spas while a few also double as boutique hotels. 

 Onshi Hakone Kōen 

This unassuming public park near Hakone Yumoto Station boasts views that often take hours of hiking to enjoy. A tiny plot of land jutting out onto Ashino-ko has stellar views of the inimitable Mount Fuji along with panoramic views of the town and surrounding topography. It was originally a summer retreat for the emperor, and it makes sense, given the setting. Unfortunately for the imperials of the time, the summer residence was destroyed in an earthquake. Fortunately for you, it’s been turned into a public park.

Airport travel from Hakone Yumoto Station

If you’re taking a day trip to Hakone from Tokyo, you’ll likely have already flown into Haneda Airport and have spent time in the capital. If you’re heading directly to Hakone from the airport, you’ll take the Tokyo Monorail to Tokyo Station and then hop on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara Station. From Odawara, you’ll hop on either the Hakone Tozan Bus or the Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus to Hakone. Whichever comes first, as these are equally convenient. Altogether, you’ll spend about $50 on public transportation to get from Tokyo to Hakone. The total travel time, excluding waiting for buses and trains, will be close to three hours. 

Getting around the city from Hakone Yumoto Station

How to get to Hakone Shrine from Hakone Yumoto Station 

One of the main reasons you’ll ever travel through Hakone Yumoto Station is to get to the town’s famous shrine. It’s about 40 minutes away, with the Hakone Tozan Bus picking you up from the train station and dropping you off at the Moto-Hakone boat pier. From there you walk up to the Komagatake Ropeway at the lakeshore and will be shifted up the slopes to the shrine’s Torii gates. Altogether you’ll spend $39 round trip to get there and back. 

How to get to Odawara Castle from Hakone Yumoto Station 

One of the most common day trip or weekend getaway itineraries is taking the train from Tokyo to Odawara and making your way to Hakone. If you’re spending time in Odawara, you absolutely cannot skip a visit to Odawara Castle. This 15th-century castle has played a monumental role in the feudal history of Japan, and its impressive architecture and views are well worth a stop.

There are frequent festivals and events held there throughout the year, and cherry blossom season is especially appealing for obvious reasons. The quickest way to get here from Hakone-Yumoto Station is the Hakone Tozan Bus, which takes 30 minutes and costs about $10. You’ll get off at Odawara Station and you can walk 15 minutes to Odawara Castle from there. There will be ample signage (and views of the castle itself) to guide you. You can also take a cab or rideshare from your hotel, which is quick and only takes 20 minutes. The ride will cost about $50, which is pricey. 

Luggage storage near Hakone Yumoto Station

Whether you’re heading here for a relaxing spa day away from Tokyo or need to channel your zen at the wonderful shrine, Hakone is one of the best side trips you can take from the capital. You can try for an afternoon, but for the full experience, you’ll want to dedicate at least a full day. For being so remote, Hakone is impressively easy to get to thanks to the expansive transportation network. Getting to Hakone and back is relatively simple, so make things even easier on yourself by planning your luggage storage ahead of time by using the Bounce mobile app to find the perfect storage spot! Heading back to Tokyo or on to Osaka? Bounce has locations throughout Japan, with convenient locations near the best landmarks and cultural hotspots.