Departing for a New Future on the Hakone Tozan Railway 100 Series! Odakyu Hakone Group Holds its 2026 New Employee Welcome Ceremony

On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the Odakyu Hakone Group companies, Odakyu Hakone Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Odawara, Kanagawa; President: Hidehiro Mizukami) and Hakone Tozan Bus Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Odawara, Kanagawa; President: Naohiro Nomura), held their first-ever welcome ceremony aboard the Hakone Tozan Railway 100 series train (MoHa 1 and MoHa 2 types), welcoming seven new employees.

This train, which has been in continuous service for over 100 years since the opening of the Hakone Tozan Railway in 1919 with repeated modifications, is scheduled to retire in January 2028 as Japan's oldest regularly operating train (according to our research). This year's welcome ceremony was held as a surprise to embody the Odakyu Hakone Group's management philosophy of "valuing all 'people' involved with Hakone to create and connect 'heart-pounding moments' to the future." It was infused with the desire to "pass on the spirit of hospitality that has been inherited to the next generation." The ceremony took place inside the historic 100 series train, which retains its Showa-era charm. While the new employees appeared nervous, they felt the spring of Hakone flowing past the train windows and etched their new resolutions as members of society into their hearts. They were warmly seen off by station staff at Hakone-Yumoto Station and received a welcome at Gora Station, including commemorative gifts from the mascot character of the Hakone Gora Tourist Association, "Goran," and members of the association, celebrating their departure into a new future.

Furthermore, to realize the Odakyu Hakone Group's management philosophy, we have been promoting an action guideline of 'sincerely' engaging in 'coexistence' with the region and 'challenging' various things without being bound by precedents or customs. As part of our efforts to secure and retain talent with a challenging spirit, we will newly introduce a "New Life Startup Support Grant System," which provides a uniform payment of 100,000 yen to new graduate employees. We aim to create an environment where each employee can work with pride and fulfillment to promote the appeal of Hakone tourism.

The Odakyu Hakone Group will continue to aim for sustainable growth in step with the region, together with its new colleagues, while inheriting the spirit of "safety, security," and "hospitality" that the 100 series has shouldered.

Details of the "2026 Welcome Ceremony" and the "New Life Startup Support Grant System" are as follows.

1. 2026 Welcome Ceremony

(1) Date and Time: Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 10:00 AM

(2) Location: Hakone Tozan Railway 100 series train (Hakone, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture)

(3) Number of Hires: 7

(4) President's Address (Summary): See attached sheet

2. About the "New Life Startup Support Grant" System

(1) Content: A payment of 100,000 yen in April of the year of joining the company

(2) Start Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

(3) Eligible Persons: Employees who joined our company as new graduates

(4) Other: Reference material

An example of a system that emphasizes "improving the work environment" and "supporting employee growth"

---

[Address by President Mizukami]

Congratulations on joining the company. On behalf of all the executives and employees of the Odakyu Hakone Group, I warmly welcome you.

As a first attempt this year, we decided to hold the welcome ceremony inside the Hakone Tozan Railway's 100 series train. This vehicle debuted over 100 years ago and is the most historic train currently operating in Japan. I hope that by holding the ceremony on a train that has been running on the steep mountains of Hakone since long before not only you, but also your parents were born, our mission of 'providing excitement and creating memories for all who visit Hakone' will be conveyed to you.

From today, you are members of the Odakyu Hakone Group. I have three requests for you.

First, please take pride in being an employee of our group.

The Odakyu Hakone Group is responsible for the region's infrastructure, such as railways and buses, but much of its revenue comes from the tourism industry. As a leading tourist destination in Japan, Hakone attracts a great number of customers from both home and abroad. Boosting Hakone and Odawara, and encouraging more foreign customers to visit Japan, or to visit repeatedly to earn foreign currency, will lead to the future prosperity and development of Japan, where the population has begun to decline. Please tackle your daily work with the spirit and pride that we are shouldering the future of Japan.

Second, do not get caught up in the immediate tasks before you; keep a high perspective and work with an awareness of the question, 'How can we get customers to come to Hakone?'

You will be assigned to various departments, but wherever you go and whatever you do, always think about what should be done to improve the appeal of the entire region. Also, the seven of you here are a precious group of colleagues who joined at the same time. I believe that sometimes listening to the thoughts and concerns of your peers who work in different positions is very important for considering the region as a whole and for your own growth.

Third, please challenge yourselves without fear of failure.

The Hakone Tozan Line climbs the steepest gradient in Japan, at 80 per mil. Our predecessors laid this track in an era without bulldozers or cranes. It is truly a testament to their challenging spirit, and thanks to them, we are here today. We must correctly pass this DNA on to the next generation and continue our business for the next 100 years.

Now, I have made three requests, but as part of our efforts to make this a company where it is easy to work and feel fulfilled, we are introducing a startup support grant system and significantly expanding the rent subsidy system from this fiscal year. We are also focusing on enhancing educational training, self-development menus, and backing qualification acquisition. By utilizing these systems, we expect that the quality of life and work skills will improve, and a win-win relationship where both you and the company can grow together will be established.

We have great expectations for your youthful energy. Let's liven up Hakone together.

---

An example of a system that emphasizes 'improving the work environment' and 'supporting employee growth' (Odakyu Hakone Co., Ltd.)

1. Systems related to work-life balance and housing assistance

(1) Childcare and Family Care Leave System

Employees can take childcare leave until the day before their child's first birthday (or until the child reaches their third birthday if there are circumstances such as not being able to enroll in a nursery school). Also, if you have a family member who requires nursing care, you can take family care leave within a specified number of days.

(2) Remote Work and Staggered Working Hours System

Employees at the headquarters and other locations can work from home or a place equivalent to home. In addition, employees at the headquarters can choose staggered working hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM) in addition to the normal working hours (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM).

(3) Rent Subsidy System

An amount equivalent to 50% of the monthly rent is provided to employees living in rental housing. We will continue to further expand this system to support a stable working style from both the living and working aspects of our employees.

2. Systems to enrich private life

(1) Cafeteria Plan

Employees are given a certain amount of points, and they can freely choose and use their favorite welfare benefits menu within the range of those points.

(2) OP Member's Card

You can receive discount services, point services, and special benefits at designated stores by presenting the card.

3. Systems for self-improvement

(1) Qualification Acquisition Support Grant System

If you obtain a target national or public qualification, you can receive the full examination fee at the time of passing and a reward for the corresponding rank as a support grant.

(2) Correspondence Course Subsidy System

You can take a correspondence course of interest from over 300 courses, ranging from courses aimed at acquiring qualifications to courses for acquiring business management skills. If you complete the course within the period specified by each educational institution, you will be subsidized for 80% of the tuition fee.

(3) Self-Development Subsidy System

You can take self-development courses such as online English conversation and online video services where you can learn business fundamentals like PC skills useful for work and how to read financial statements, with the company bearing the full cost.