Hakone Tozan Railway, opened for operation in 1919, is the only full-scale mountain railway in Japan, running 15.0 km between Odawara and Gora. The difference in elevation is 527 m and the greatest slope is 80/1000. On the way up, the trains change direction three times at switchbacks, in order to climb the steep slope. The trains must also negotiate dogleg curves with a minimum radius of 30 m, which is unparalleled in the world. On these sharp curves, the trains run while spraying water to reduce friction between wheels and rails.
The magnificent scenery visible from the train windows is a delight in every season. Cherry blossoms in spring, trees sprouting young green leaves in May, ten thousand hydrangeas blooming in early summer, the mountains covered with red and yellow leaves in autumn and snowy white in winter. There are also superb views from special points, especially from the Deyama Bridge, looking down 43 m to the riverbed. Visitors will be interested to know that a cow bell is rung to announce the train’s departure because Hakone Tozan Railway is a sister railway of the famous Rhatische Bahn in Switzerland.
The trip from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora takes approximately 40 minutes.
The Hakone Freepass is an economical and convenient way of traveling in Hakone on the Hakone Tozan Railway.