Hakone Tozan Railway Meets Switzerland: Why This Mountain Line Stands Out

Hakone Tozan Railway: a Japanese mountain classic

Question: what makes the 箱根 (Hakone, Hakone (place name)) Tozan Railway more than just a commuter line? The line climbs from 箱根湯本 (Hakone-Yumoto, Hakone-Yumoto (station/place name)) up to 強羅 (Gora, Gora (place name)), handling steep gradients with switchbacks and tight 180-degree turns on a 1,067 mm gauge track.

Fact: the route is short, roughly 15 kilometres, but it gains several hundred metres in elevation, with the famous switchback sections that let trains zigzag up narrow valleys. The first time I went to Japan, I rode this stretch on a rainy morning, and the scent of cedar and the sound of creaking rails still stick with me.

Technical notes and what to look for

Fun fact: Hakone Tozan trains run on tight curves with an incline that regularly reaches around 8 percent. Quick detour: engineers use specially shaped bogies and short cars to handle the geometry, which is why the trains look compact and agile.

Rhaetian Railway: the Swiss inspiration

Here's the catch: the Rhaetian Railway, or RhB for short, is a metre-gauge network in Graubunden, Switzerland, celebrated worldwide for its engineering solutions to alpine terrain.

On a related note, the Albula and Bernina lines were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2008, called 'Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes'. The Bernina Express reaches the Bernina Pass at 2,253 metres without rack assistance, showcasing maximum gradients around 7 percent on metre-gauge track.

Iconic structures and numbers

Did you know that the Landwasser Viaduct, part of the Albula line, is about 65 metres high and 136 metres long? That brings us to one reason the Swiss lines are so photogenic: the bold viaducts and spiral tunnels are literal answers to steep geography.

Culture of trains: Swiss precision meets Japanese care

Direct address: if you care about punctuality and presentation, both countries deliver. RhB runs regular panoramic services like the Bernina Express with timed connections. Hakone Tozan runs frequent local services that sync with Odakyu and Hakone Tozan Cable Car timetables, so tourists can plan onsen and ryokan stays without stress.

Guess what? Both systems take pride in small details. In Switzerland, you'll find spotless panoramic cars and clear English timetables. In Hakone, you'll notice informative station signs, seasonal flower displays, and staff who help you with luggage and transfers to onsen areas.

Tourism, language and learning

The first time I rode the Bernina Express, I practiced basic announcements in ローマ字 (romaji, romanization) to myself, like 'tsugi wa' and '信号 (shingou, signal; traffic light)', which made me feel more connected. Let's be honest: learning a handful of romaji phrases such as 'すみません (sumimasen, excuse me; sorry)' or transport words like '駅 (eki, station)' helps when transferring between trains, buying tickets, or asking about platform numbers.

And it gets better: both Switzerland and Japan use rail museums, guided trips, and preserved rolling stock to teach history. Museums for RhB and the Hakone Tozan Railway both offer model layouts, old photos, and bilingual exhibits that are great for learners.

Comparing engineering and passenger experience

Fact: while RhB uses metre gauge, often 1,000 mm, Hakone uses Japan's 1,067 mm narrow gauge. That difference matters for wheelbase and rolling stock design, but both systems solve the same problem: how to move people safely on steep slopes with limited space.

What I especially like is the contrast in solutions. Switzerland builds large stone viaducts and long spiral tunnels, which are dramatic and durable. Hakone favours compact switchbacks and close-to-nature alignments that feel intimate and charming. Sounds weird, but it's true.

My tip: ride both in the same season if you can. Autumn brings brilliant colours to Hakone and dramatic high-alpine reds on the Bernina. From my experience, you notice how each culture frames landscape: Swiss railways frame vistas like cinema shots, while Japanese lines let you feel the forest at arm's reach.

Sources

1. Original Instagram reel showing Hakone Tozan comparisons
2. Hakone Tozan Railway official site
3. UNESCO: Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes
4. Rhaetian Railway: Bernina Express