Hakone-Tozan Line to Run “Night Hydrangea” Train

The Hakone-Tozan Line will operate a “Yoru-no-Ajisai-Go” or “Night Hydrangea” train for 17 days from Saturday, June 14th to Monday, June 30th, 2025.

The Hakone-Tozan Line is a mountain railway line that runs between Odawara Station in the city of Odawara and Gora Station in the town of Hakone. From mid-June, the mountain railway travels through some 7,000 hydrangeas in full bloom, many of the bushes are so close to the line that the flowers are almost touching the train windows. For this reason the train is affectionately known as the “Ajisai Densha” or “Hydrangea Train” at this time of year.

Hydrangeas along the line will be illuminated at night from Friday, June 13th to Monday, June 30th. These illuminated hydrangeas can be seen from regular train services.

However, there is also a “Night Hydrangea Train”: a tourist train with reserved seating that slows down and stops at the best spots to see the hydrangeas — and maybe take some pictures.

This year the train running the Night Hydrangea Train service will be the Allegra, or #3000 series, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last November.

The Night Hydrangea Train will run from Hakone-Yumoto Station to Gora Station between 18.30 to 22.00. Seats must be reserved in advance and cost 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for children for a one-way trip — there is also a separate fare for boarding the train.

For the schedule and other details please check the official Hakone-Tozan Line website (Japanese only).

Article by Michael Lambe. Photos courtesy of Odakyu Hakone Co Ltd. All rights reserved.