Hakone Free Pass Assessment

Hello,

I am trying to decide if the Hakone Free Pass makes sense for me. I am planning something similar to the classic round course (https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5210.html), except I am planning to walk from Moto-Hakone to Amazake-Chaya or Hatajuku before catching the bus back to Hakone-Yumoto.

In a page in this website about the Hakone Free Pass (https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_008.html), it says it costs about 6300 yen for the round course, but by my calculations it is considerably less (4990 if you include Odawara -> Hakone-Yumoto and Hakone-Yumoto -> Odawara in the calculation). Can someone please check if I made a mistake? I have included the links to the sources I used for the prices in the end of this post.

Odawara -> Hakone-Yumoto: 320 yen [1]
Hakone-Yumoto -> Gora: 410 yen [2]
Gora -> Sounzan: 430 yen [3]
Sounzan -> Togendai: 1480 yen [4]
Togendai -> Hakone-machi: 1050 yen [5]
Hakone-machi -> Moto-Hakone: 0 (walk)
Moto-Hakone -> Hakone-Yumoto: 980 yen [6]
Hakone-Yumoto -> Odawara: 320 yen [7]

Total: 4990 yen

You might say that at 4990 yen it is still worth it. However, since I am walking part of the way, the cost for me would be 4410 yen. Also, I will spend two nights in town (I arrive in the evening of day 1), so I would have to buy the 3-day pass (which costs 5000 yen).

Cheers!

[1]: http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=ODAWARA&arv_node=H...
[2]: http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=HAKONE-YUMOTO&arv_...
[3]: https://www.hakone-tozan.co.jp/en/#cablecar
[4]: https://www.hakoneropeway.co.jp/foreign/en/guide/
[5]: https://www.hakone-kankosen.co.jp/foreign/en/timesheet/
[6]: https://hakone-tozanbus.jcld.jp/HakoneRouteFinder/defaultEN.htm?ymd=20...
[7]: http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=HAKONE-YUMOTO&arv_...

Without checking your assessment, if the price difference is so little, then another advantage is you do not have to line up to buy tickets every single time (except when you use an IC card then you just go through the ticket gates.). Not sure if this tips the scale but the pass also offer discounts to museums, restaurants, etc.

https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/hakone/

Most 'passes' offered by small companies/cities don't pay off. It's a way for the companies to make money by offering "convenience". You'll see that with the Tokyo Metro 24, 48 and 72hr. and most cities' "One Day Pass".

It costs 4,600 yen for the two day pass starting from Odawara. (5,700 yen for the three day pass starting Shinjuku)
Are you comparing the correct pass starting point with your calculations?
https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/hakone/

@Villagemayor,

I am curious about your comment about the IC cards. Do you mean that if I have an IC card then I only have to tap at the ticket gate and I do not need to buy a physical ticket?
Is that specific in Hakone or does that apply everywhere else as well?

@JapanCustomTours,

Yes, I am considering the right starting points. I forgot to mention in my post, but I will buy it starting in Odawara, given that I already have a JR pass. And it will be a 3 day pass.