Hakone Tozan Bus
Hakone Tozan Bus
2.8
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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2.8
56 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
14
Average
14
Poor
5
Terrible
16
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Mellie2013
Port Moody, Canada2,926 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Little did we know...the bus was a complete adventure!
Difficult to locate, we road the bus from Motohakone-ko to the Open Air Museum.
The bus stop was difficult to locate however there are multilingual staff to guide you. The wait on a Monday afternoon in April was long. We boarded and sat around the halfway point. I recommend not going any further as it is very difficult to get off the bus with so many people! This mode of transport is very popular!!
What made this trip an adventure was the ebb and flow of tourists. The trip became nonsensical when several tourists entered the bus with their full sized luggage. Once aboard, their was no room to move, let along make it to the door to exit.😝 It became a gong show of travellers attempting to get on and off the bus, past these oversized pieces of 🧳! If my legs were any shorter, I would not have been able to straddle the cases!🤭 It was an experience for sure...one to remember!
FYI the landscape is very pretty and variable but with so much occurring within the bus, the view is missed🤣
I highly recommend not utilizing this bus for transportation with large luggage. There must be other options!
Difficult to locate, we road the bus from Motohakone-ko to the Open Air Museum.
The bus stop was difficult to locate however there are multilingual staff to guide you. The wait on a Monday afternoon in April was long. We boarded and sat around the halfway point. I recommend not going any further as it is very difficult to get off the bus with so many people! This mode of transport is very popular!!
What made this trip an adventure was the ebb and flow of tourists. The trip became nonsensical when several tourists entered the bus with their full sized luggage. Once aboard, their was no room to move, let along make it to the door to exit.😝 It became a gong show of travellers attempting to get on and off the bus, past these oversized pieces of 🧳! If my legs were any shorter, I would not have been able to straddle the cases!🤭 It was an experience for sure...one to remember!
FYI the landscape is very pretty and variable but with so much occurring within the bus, the view is missed🤣
I highly recommend not utilizing this bus for transportation with large luggage. There must be other options!
Written 9 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
待兼山
Osaka Prefecture, Japan46,625 contributions
June 2024 • Solo
Used when staying at an inn in Yugawara Onsen. From the roundabout in front of Yugawara Station, take a bus to the center of the hot spring resort. The fare can be paid with a transportation IC card. It is operated jointly with Izu Hakone Bus.
Automatically translated
Written 24 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MizuhoK
Hino, Japan4,245 contributions
Jan 2025 • Solo
I took a local bus from Kaisei Station. We left on time, drove safely, and were regular buses. There are few of them, which is what Jun Miura calls a "hell chart". There is a kettle to skip to the side of the bus roundabout so you can shop and pass the time.
Automatically translated
Written 29 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Quest64404789627
1 contribution
Oct 2024 • Couples
How do you feel about using the Hakone Mountain Bus? The driver's impatient nature and poor communicative skills. We came from the countryside for sightseeing, but we took this bus three times and all three times had different drivers and the same impression, so we understood the management policy of the bus company. If a shortage of qualified workers or low wages is the problem, I would like them to hire excellent people (people with normal sensibilities, people who don't mock customers) because they can ask for a fare that is two or three times higher. I can't watch them deal with foreigners. Or, for the Hakone place, if there are local rules, etc., for buses only, please let us know in advance (e.g. by giving an easy-to-understand notice to Hakone Yumoto Station, etc.). Hot spring inns, cable cars, mountain trains, ropeways and pirate boats were handled by the staff, and the bus was so good that only the bus was so disappointing. I feel like I'm dealing with the same thing as this bus company's drivers elsewhere, on a level where I can't just complain.
Automatically translated
Written 23 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sherpa64486549070
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Solo
The bus driver was the worst.
It was around 9am, but it was a busy time, so delays of more than 20 minutes were common.
He was cold to passengers who didn't use IC cards.
The customer didn't put in enough money, or maybe it wasn't enough. Please exchange it in advance and prepare it before putting it in. " he said coldly.
Probably just a mistake in depositing money.
When do you exchange money when you're sitting at the back of the bus in a crowded place? Do you want him to wait for the moment the bus stops, walk between the passengers, secure a seat, be considerate of passengers getting on and off, and then return to his seat and get ready? lol
Also, the fare numbers are small and hard to see.
He's cold to foreigners, so maybe it's difficult to communicate in English.
I asked him, "Odawara Station?" What kind of nerve does a bus driver for Odawara have to refuse?
It was the worst thing I could have experienced abroad.
It made me feel bad watching it.
It was around 9am, but it was a busy time, so delays of more than 20 minutes were common.
He was cold to passengers who didn't use IC cards.
The customer didn't put in enough money, or maybe it wasn't enough. Please exchange it in advance and prepare it before putting it in. " he said coldly.
Probably just a mistake in depositing money.
When do you exchange money when you're sitting at the back of the bus in a crowded place? Do you want him to wait for the moment the bus stops, walk between the passengers, secure a seat, be considerate of passengers getting on and off, and then return to his seat and get ready? lol
Also, the fare numbers are small and hard to see.
He's cold to foreigners, so maybe it's difficult to communicate in English.
I asked him, "Odawara Station?" What kind of nerve does a bus driver for Odawara have to refuse?
It was the worst thing I could have experienced abroad.
It made me feel bad watching it.
Written 17 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Globe T
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Family
Overcrowded bus. The Bus drivers need some lessons to behave with lady passengers, my second time getting pulled by the bus driver in Japan. To japan bus drivers, Do not get physical, use your mouth to communicate
Written 4 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
susu-s
Yokohama, Japan591 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Worst customer service. No toll-free number. No consideration to call back even if the conversation drags on. Even though it's highly likely that the company is at fault, they just make the customer go through all the trouble. Even if they don't have a dedicated person in charge, I think it's terrible. Are they resting on their laurels due to Hakone's popularity? I never want to go to Hakone again.
Written 8 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HawaiiAndi
Pearl City, HI595 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
This service is very reliable; always on time. Best to take a copy of the Tozan bus map - if can't find a copy online then you can get a hard copy at any Hakone visitor center. Be aware that not all buses run the same destinations. There is Bus T, W, G, H, L, Etc. Buses are well marked with their letters. All the buses we rode had one entrance/exit at the front. Most bus stops have a sign with times that the bus stops at that stop. YES, you can take luggage onto the Tozan Bus. I would recommend luggage forwarding located at the Hakone Yumoto station - its very convenient so you don't have to struggle with your bags - however you may still carry your bag onto the Tozan bus. (I have attached a photo of the designated space on the bus for luggage). There is no under bus luggage space nor is there overhead racks for luggage; all luggage can be placed into the designated space in the middle of the bus. Seats are not guaranteed; be prepared to stand if the bus is crowded. Be aware that sometimes, the bus can be super packed with people so taking luggage with you can be difficult. We took 21 inch bags and was able to fit it in the designated space (there were 6 of us) and it was 8 am so the bus was relatively empty. We used the Hakone Free Pass too so it eliminated the need to handle yen when boarding. Also, the electronic digital board will announce each upcoming bus stop. This service is very well designed.
Written 26 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
asahi s
3 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
After waiting in line for more than one hour, the bus guide told me to move forward to get on the bus to Odawara from the lake, as there was two buses I asked the other guide which bus to ride, but he ignored me, and when I asked again he told me that I have to wait while letting other passengers get on the bus... it was very racist act from that guide... and the first guide pretended that he doesn't understand what is going on,and they made me wait again... what kind of attitude is that towards the visitors...
Written 22 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MakanShoppingQueen
Singapore, Singapore43 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
We followed the recommended itinerary and took the bus H from the Hakone-Yumoto station after getting off the Romance car. Most people we saw hopped onto the Tozan train to get to Gora station. I guess because we took the bus before lunch, on Monday around 11am, the bus was not packed at all and we reached the sightseeing cruise stop much earlier than expected. It was a very scenic and comfortable bus ride.
The next morning after checking out of our hotel, we took bus M at Gora Station to see cherry blossoms at Miyagino. There were many people lugging the biggest bags known to man onto the bus, which clogged up most of the standing space. There was only a small space for luggage in the bus so we felt it was very inconsiderate of people to bring such big bags onto a public bus. We suspect they were heading to the Gotemba premium outlets at the very end of the journey. Thankfully the driver was very nice and encouraging. When my boy cried trying to squeeze between the bags to get out the door, the driver said: "Gambate!" which roughly translates to you can do it!
We took bus M on the way back to Gora station and then the train to Hakone Yumoto station. After lunch, we took bus K at about 1.10pm, this time to Amazake Chaya. The bus was not crowded but we saw the line for bus H was pretty long. After Amazake, we took the same bus K to the stop nearest to the Hakone shrine.
We then took the bus R from Moto Hakone where the sightseeing cruise docks at, to get back to Hakone-Yumoto station in order to catch our evening Romance car train back to Tokyo. Bus R was PACKED. It was the fastest and most direct bus back to Hakone-Yumoto though, we got there in 22 minutes so at least we didn't need to stand for too long. I think because it's at the end of the sightseeing cruise and the end of the day, most people especially day trippers have to make their way back. The queue for bus H was much longer though.
I do think the bus service is good and prompt, but people should leave their big bags at home or in the hotel. Since we did an overnight trip from Tokyo to Hakone, we brought only what we needed in backpacks. Or they should use the hands free luggage service provided at the train station. Another tip is to get the free Hakone pass which allows you to take the trains, buses and ships without having to buy individual tickets. We encountered one tourist who held up everybody in the bus because she was trying to find loose change to pay for the bus ride.
The bus service might want to consider having more buses during peak hours or seasons though. One bus every half hour in the evening may not be enough. We understand that they can't use bigger buses because the roads are narrow. Other than that, it's a good and dependable service.
The next morning after checking out of our hotel, we took bus M at Gora Station to see cherry blossoms at Miyagino. There were many people lugging the biggest bags known to man onto the bus, which clogged up most of the standing space. There was only a small space for luggage in the bus so we felt it was very inconsiderate of people to bring such big bags onto a public bus. We suspect they were heading to the Gotemba premium outlets at the very end of the journey. Thankfully the driver was very nice and encouraging. When my boy cried trying to squeeze between the bags to get out the door, the driver said: "Gambate!" which roughly translates to you can do it!
We took bus M on the way back to Gora station and then the train to Hakone Yumoto station. After lunch, we took bus K at about 1.10pm, this time to Amazake Chaya. The bus was not crowded but we saw the line for bus H was pretty long. After Amazake, we took the same bus K to the stop nearest to the Hakone shrine.
We then took the bus R from Moto Hakone where the sightseeing cruise docks at, to get back to Hakone-Yumoto station in order to catch our evening Romance car train back to Tokyo. Bus R was PACKED. It was the fastest and most direct bus back to Hakone-Yumoto though, we got there in 22 minutes so at least we didn't need to stand for too long. I think because it's at the end of the sightseeing cruise and the end of the day, most people especially day trippers have to make their way back. The queue for bus H was much longer though.
I do think the bus service is good and prompt, but people should leave their big bags at home or in the hotel. Since we did an overnight trip from Tokyo to Hakone, we brought only what we needed in backpacks. Or they should use the hands free luggage service provided at the train station. Another tip is to get the free Hakone pass which allows you to take the trains, buses and ships without having to buy individual tickets. We encountered one tourist who held up everybody in the bus because she was trying to find loose change to pay for the bus ride.
The bus service might want to consider having more buses during peak hours or seasons though. One bus every half hour in the evening may not be enough. We understand that they can't use bigger buses because the roads are narrow. Other than that, it's a good and dependable service.
Written 27 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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