Tokaido & Shonan-Shinjuku Line Green Car Guide — Comfortable Access to Tanzawa & Hakone
Ride the Tokaido and Shonan-Shinjuku Line Green Cars to trailheads in the Tanzawa mountains and Hakone area. Pricing, how to ride, and recommended routes.
What is the Tokaido / Shonan-Shinjuku Line Green Car?
The Tokaido Line and Shonan-Shinjuku Line feature the same double-decker Green Cars as the Chuo Line. The Tokaido Line has offered Green Car service for many years, making it a well-established option for hikers heading south and west of Tokyo.
These lines provide excellent access to the Tanzawa mountains (Mt. Oyama, Mt. Tonotake) and Hakone area, with weekend fares starting from just ¥550.
Perfect For
- 🏔️ Tanzawa area hikers (Mt. Oyama, Mt. Tonotake, Mt. Nabewari)
- ♨️ Hakone hiking + hot springs day trips
- 🌸 Mt. Azuma (Ninomiya) — famous for rapeseed flowers and Mt. Fuji views
- 🚃 Those wanting to depart from Shinjuku with a guaranteed seat (Shonan-Shinjuku Line)
Routes & Stations
Tokaido Line
| Section | Key Stations |
|---|---|
| Tokyo → Shinagawa | Shinbashi |
| Shinagawa → Yokohama | Kawasaki |
| Yokohama → Hiratsuka | Totsuka, Ofuna, Fujisawa, Chigasaki |
| Hiratsuka → Odawara | Ninomiya, Kozu |
| Odawara → Atami | Yugawara |
Shonan-Shinjuku Line
| Section | Key Stations |
|---|---|
| Omiya → Shinjuku | Ikebukuro, Shibuya |
| Shinjuku → Yokohama | Osaki, Musashi-Kosugi |
| Yokohama → Hiratsuka | Same as Tokaido Line |
| Hiratsuka → Odawara | Same as Tokaido Line |
Key stations for hikers: Hadano/Isehara (Mt. Oyama, bus connection), Shibusawa (Mt. Tonotake/Okura, bus connection), Ninomiya (Mt. Azuma, on foot), Odawara (Hakone area)
Pricing
Green Car pricing is the same system used on the Chuo Line.
Advance Purchase Price (Suica / Machine)
| Distance | Weekday | Weekend/Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50km | ¥750 | ¥550 |
| Over 50km | ¥1,000 | ¥800 |
On-Board Price
| Distance | Weekday | Weekend/Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50km | ¥1,010 | ¥810 |
| Over 50km | ¥1,260 | ¥1,060 |
Distance reference:
- Shinjuku → Hiratsuka: ~58km (over 50km rate)
- Shinjuku → Odawara: ~83km (over 50km rate)
- Tokyo → Hiratsuka: ~63km (over 50km rate)
- Tokyo → Odawara: ~84km (over 50km rate)
Example: On a weekend, Shinjuku to Odawara with advance Suica purchase = just ¥800 for a reclining seat!
How to Buy Green Car Tickets
The same three methods as the Chuo Line Green Car:
1. Mobile Suica (Best Option)
Buy from the Suica app on your smartphone for the cheapest advance price.
2. Platform Ticket Machines
Look for the green-colored machines on the platform. Tap your Suica and select your destination.
3. On-Board Purchase
Ask the attendant, but you’ll pay the higher on-board price.
Tip: Always buy in advance — the savings are significant.
How to Ride
- Buy your Green Car ticket before boarding (Suica app or platform machine)
- Board the Green Car (cars 4 & 5, look for green boarding marks on the platform)
- Touch the seat sensor with your Suica (light changes red → green)
- Just get off at your stop (no need to touch anything when exiting)
Mountain Access Guide
Mt. Oyama — via Hadano/Isehara Station
One of the most popular mountains in the Tanzawa area.
| Route | Transfer | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo → Hiratsuka → Hadano | Transfer to Odakyu at Hiratsuka | ~90 min |
| Shinjuku → Odawara → Isehara | Transfer to Odakyu at Odawara | ~100 min |
Tip: For Mt. Oyama, the Odakyu “Tanzawa-Oyama Free Pass” is also a great option. See our Free Pass Comparison Guide for details.
Mt. Tonotake — via Shibusawa Station
A famous Tanzawa peak. The Okura Ridge (“Baka-one”) route is the classic ascent.
- Access: Shibusawa Station → Kanachu Bus (to Okura) ~15 min
- Green Car: Tokyo/Shinjuku → Hiratsuka/Ninomiya → Transfer to Odakyu for Shibusawa
Mt. Azuma — via Ninomiya Station
A small peak (136m) famous for its rapeseed flowers and Mt. Fuji views.
- Access: Walk ~30 minutes from Ninomiya Station to the summit
- Green Car: Direct from Tokyo/Shinjuku to Ninomiya Station
Hakone Area — via Odawara Station
Gateway to Hakone’s mountains (Mt. Kintoki, Mt. Myojingatake).
- Access: Odawara Station → Hakone Tozan Railway / Bus
- Green Car: Direct from Tokyo/Shinjuku to Odawara Station
Tokaido Line vs. Shonan-Shinjuku Line
| Tokaido Line | Shonan-Shinjuku Line | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Tokyo Station | Omiya / Shinjuku area |
| Advantage | Easy to get seats from Tokyo | Board at Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ikebukuro |
| Main destinations | Odawara, Atami | Hiratsuka, Odawara |
| Best for | Staying near Tokyo Station | Staying near Shinjuku |
Perfect for the Return Trip
After a long day on the trails, the Green Car is the ultimate reward.
- 🍱 Grab an ekiben (station lunch box) at Odawara and enjoy it from the upper deck
- ♨️ After Hakone hot springs, recline and relax all the way home
- 🌅 Enjoy Sagami Bay sunset views from the upper deck on certain stretches
Pro tip: Odawara Station has many trains that originate here, so Green Cars are often nearly empty for the return trip.
Other Green Car Guides
- 🚃 Chuo Line Green Car Guide — Mt. Takao, Mt. Jinba, Otsuki area
- 🚃 Utsunomiya & Takasaki Line Green Car Guide — Nikko, Mt. Akagi area
- 🚃 Joban Line Green Car Guide — Mt. Tsukuba area
- ⚡ Express vs. Green Car — Choosing the Best Train for Hiking
- 🎫 Hiker’s Free Pass Comparison Guide
Summary
- Tokaido & Shonan-Shinjuku Line Green Cars are perfect for Tanzawa and Hakone hiking
- Same pricing as the Chuo Line — from ¥550 (weekend advance purchase)
- Buy in advance via Mobile Suica for the best price
- Choose Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku, or Tokaido Line from Tokyo
- Treat yourself to an ekiben + Green Car return trip after your hike