Hakone motion sickness worries? Most of the drive is expressway; the bends come at the end. Where the curves are, rest stops, and Haneda vs Narita.
If you are prone to car sickness, "mountain roads" can be enough to put you off a trip, and motion sickness on the way to Hakone is a common worry. In fact, most of the drive from the airport to an onsen town is on smooth, straight expressway. The bends are concentrated in the final stretch. Knowing where they are and where you can stop lets you tackle that stretch when you feel your best.
Hakone motion sickness: where the bends are
- Hakone: expressway at first, then a winding climb once you enter the onsen area. Most ryokan are up in the hills, so the bends come at the very end (see our Tokyo to Hakone transport guide).
- Atami and East Izu: seaside hotels tend to sit on slopes, so there is an up-and-down stretch after you leave the expressway.
- South and West Izu: a long coastal run after the expressway, with especially many curves towards West Izu. West Izu has no railway, so the road is the main way in.
- Nikko: the Irohazaka road from central Nikko up to Okunikko and Lake Chuzenji has 48 sharp curves, and it is especially congested in the autumn-leaf season from mid-October to early November (see the Nikko City Tourism Association). If you are staying by Lake Chuzenji you cannot avoid it, so try to avoid the busiest times. For the airport leg, see Narita and Haneda to Karuizawa and Nikko.
Stop before the climb
After an hour or more on the expressway, a short stop for water and a walk before the climb helps a lot. Expressway rest areas have toilets open 24 hours and multi-purpose toilets, and some have a lounge for anyone feeling unwell (see NEXCO Central rest areas).
An extra stop can be arranged. Write "a passenger gets car sick and would like a break before the mountain section" in your booking notes and our team will confirm where to stop on your route.
Seats and space
- Seat the person who gets car sick where they can see ahead, keep their eyes on the distance, and go easy on the phone.
- The Alphard seats 7 with room for 6 bags; the Hiace seats 10 with room for 9. Luggage goes in the luggage area, so nobody's feet are boxed in.
- Keep water, tissues and a bag within reach, not under a suitcase.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking motion-sickness medication.
Fly into Haneda and spend far less time in the car
| Destination | From Haneda | From Narita |
|---|---|---|
| Hakone | about 90–120 min | about 150–180 min |
| Atami · East Izu | about 100–150 min | about 150–210 min |
| Karuizawa · Nikko | about 150–180 min | about 150–210 min |
Drive times depend on traffic. For Hakone and Atami, flying into Haneda cuts about an hour of driving, and a Haneda to Hakone private transfer by Alphard is ¥50,000, ¥20,000 less than from Narita. For Karuizawa and Nikko the two airports are similar; from Haneda, an Alphard is ¥60,000. Fares are per car, tax included, with tolls and parking included.
If your flight lands late, save the mountain roads for when you are fresh: stay a night near the airport and set off in the morning. Send your trip on the booking page and add your car-sickness and rest-stop requests in the notes.
FAQ
- Which part of the drive to Hakone is worst for motion sickness?
- Most of the drive from the airport is expressway, which is smooth. The bends come after you enter the onsen area, on the final climb to the ryokan. Anyone prone to car sickness can take a short break before that climb.
- Can we stop for a break on the way?
- An extra stop can be arranged. Expressway rest areas have 24-hour toilets, and some have a lounge for anyone feeling unwell. Note in your booking that you would like a break, and our team will confirm it for your route.
- Is Nikko's Irohazaka road very winding?
- Irohazaka runs from central Nikko up to Okunikko and Lake Chuzenji with 48 sharp curves, and traffic is especially heavy in the autumn-leaf season from mid-October to early November. If you get car sick, avoid the busiest times.
- Does it matter whether we fly into Haneda or Narita?
- Haneda to Hakone takes about 90 to 120 minutes and Narita about 150 to 180, depending on traffic. Less time in the car helps, and an Alphard from Haneda is ¥20,000 cheaper than from Narita.