Romance Car vs Shinkansen to Hakone

Hi,

I'm wondering which would be better to travel to Hakone for first-timers? Romance Car or Shinkansen?

Am I missing the sights if I travel by Shinkansen? How do I reserve the Romance Car's observatory seats?

Right now, I only find the difference is that Shinkansen is faster (but I need to get off at Odawara), while Romance Car is slower (but I can get off at Hakone Yumoto where I will be staying)

Thanks so much for the replies.
Cheers!

if you have JR-Pass or other JRs Pass
take Shinkansen from Tokyo/Shinagawa sta.

if not Odakyu(Romance car) with special pass best.
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/romancecar/
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/romancecar/lineup/
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/

I'm wondering which would be better to travel to Hakone for first-timers? Romance Car or Shinkansen?

I don't recommend to use the shinkansen unless you have a Japan Rail Pass or you really want to ride the shinkansen but this is your only opportunity or if you stay around Tokyo or Shinagawa Station and prefer fast travel regardless of higher cost.

The Romance Car is very pleasant, especially if you happen to stay around Shinjuku. And the observatory seats are very special if you are a railway fan and quite exciting even if you are not.

Am I missing the sights if I travel by Shinkansen?

No.

How do I reserve the Romance Car's observatory seats?

At Odakyu ticket offices, e.g. the one at Shinjuku Station.

Thank you so much for the replies. :)

I'm staying at Celestine Hotel, which is close to Shinagawa Station. I plan to maximize my time at Hakone, since I only have one day there. So, I will check out and leave for Hakone early morning (sometime ard 6.30-7.30).

I do prefer to ride on Shinkansen to save time, but wasn't sure if I would be saving a lot of time and wondering if I would miss some good stuff from riding the bullet train instead of romance car. Or maybe it's still kinda dark to see anything, considering the time?

The shinkansen is a high speed inter-city train. Hakone is just outside of Tokyo. Taking the shinkansen there is a bit pointless.