Odakyu Hakone Conducts Proof-of-Concept Test of Digital Queue System "VACAN Q ticket" at the Ōwakudani Station of the Hakone Ropeway

Vacan Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo Ward, Tokyo; CEO: Goshin Kono; hereinafter "Vacan"), a company that leverages AI technology to visualize congestion and is committed to the mission of "Gently connecting people and spaces through technology," conducted a proof-of-concept test of its digital queue management system "VACAN Q ticket" (hereinafter "Q ticket") on May 5, 2024, at the Ōwakudani Station of the Hakone Ropeway operated by Odakyu Hakone Co., Ltd. This test confirmed significant reductions in waiting times during peak periods, successfully creating more meaningful sightseeing time for visitors and enhancing circulation within the Ōwakudani area.

Background of Implementation

Ōwakudani in Hakone is a representative tourist destination offering magnificent landscapes unique to volcanic regions, famous local specialties such as "kuro-tamago" (black eggs), and the newly renovated attraction "Chikyū no Tani" (Valley of the Earth), which reopened in April 2025. However, during peak seasons such as Golden Week and autumn sightseeing periods, waiting times to board the ropeway at the Hakone Ropeway's Ōwakudani Station could become extremely long, with past instances of customers waiting over one hour.

Previously, operations relied on a queuing system where customers lined up on-site. To further improve customer satisfaction, there was a growing need to develop systems that allow visitors to make better use of their valuable time in Hakone.

To transform waiting time from "time spent standing in line" into "time spent enjoying tourism and local products in the Ōwakudani area," Vacan initiated this proof-of-concept test as a step toward full-scale implementation.

Tourist area "Ibuki Deck" at Ōwakudani's "Chikyū no Tani" where Q ticket is installed, and the installation location of Q ticket

Details of the Initiative

As part of this initiative, five Q ticket kiosks were installed at Ōwakudani Station to manage ropeway boarding toward the Mōkami-guchi direction in 20-minute time slots. Upon arrival at Ōwakudani Station, visitors can issue a digital ticket specifying their preferred return time slot.

Service concept diagram

1. Designation of return boarding time by time slot

Since tickets are issued in 20-minute increments, visitors who return to the ropeway station within their designated time slot can board within approximately 10 minutes. This allows visitors to free up valuable time previously spent waiting in line, enabling them to enjoy more flexible and meaningful sightseeing.

2. Support for inbound tourism

The system supports Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean, allowing users to select their preferred language on the user interface screen. This ensures smooth self-service ticketing for international tourists from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Additionally, Thai language support will be available starting in June, expanding accessibility to tourists from six countries.

Results and Future Outlook

With the elimination of physical queuing, visitors were observed enjoying sightseeing activities during what was previously idle waiting time. Visitors could now easily explore attractions such as the new scenic area "Chikyū no Tani," the majestic landscapes unique to Ōwakudani, and sites offering a sense of the Earth's breath. As a result, circulation within the Ōwakudani area improved, enhancing convenience and transforming the destination into a more comfortable and vibrant tourist spot.

The proof-of-concept test successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of reducing boarding wait burdens during peak times and enabling visitors to utilize waiting periods for tourism and shopping within the Ōwakudani area. Going forward, Vacan will continue refining the system based on insights gained from the test and work toward full-scale implementation during peak seasons.

About Q ticket

Q ticket is a service that allows users to issue digital queue tickets via a tablet at the installation site or by accessing a dedicated web page, enabling them to wait for their turn without physically lining up. By registering an email address or LINE account, users receive smartphone notifications when their turn is approaching, allowing them to spend their waiting time freely. This service helps reduce user stress and mitigates congestion.

About Vacan Inc.

Company Name: Vacan Inc. CEO: Goshin Kono Headquarters: Nakarin Auto Building 3F, 2-8-4 Shinkawa, Chuo Ward, Tokyo Founded: June 2016 URL: https://corp.vacan.com/

Vacan Inc. is designated by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) as a J-Startup company. Under its mission of "Gently connecting people and spaces through technology," the company builds platforms that leverage AI to visualize congestion and enhance urban experiences and daily life.

Vacan provides services such as "congestion and foot-traffic management" and "facility and area management" to smartly upgrade spatial experiences, and also operates "Unveil," a digital media platform inside public restroom stalls.