Hi Desmond
Yes your friends house is a fair way from Hakone - it looks like you're staying in Chiba which is actually the next prefecture to Tokyo. Hakone is South of Tokyo so your first job is to get to Tokyo station - I think this will be your easiest route from Chiba. If anyone knows better then please jump in here.
Depending where you are in Chiba it will probably take about 40 - 60 minutes to get to Tokyo station - your friend should be able to help you with that bit
From Tokyo station you need to get to a station called Hakone-Yumoto (this is the most central station for Hakone) via a place called Odawara. There are 2 choices that spring to mind:
Stage 1: Tokyo Station to Odawara Station
1. Either catch the shinkansen at Tokyo station to Odawara - takes about 40 minutes and cost is around 3,500 yen each one way. One thing to be careful of - not all shinkansens stop at Odawara so make sure you ask when booking so that you don't go flying straight past!
2. Or take the local and slightly slower JR Tokaido main line from Tokyo station to Odawara - time is approx 70 - 90 minutes and the cost is around 1,500 yen per head one way.
Stage 2: Odawara Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station
Take the Hakone Tozan Railway to Hakone-Yumoto - takes about 15 minutes and cost is 300 yen each.
As I said that's the easiest way I can think of if you're coming in from Chiba.
Here's a link to Hakone that has hotels on it if you need it. Also some good info about the area for you
Hakone
Hope this helps