Season guide · Hakone · Japan
Hakone in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Golden silver grass in Sengokuhara, autumn leaves in November and clearer skies; weekends are busy. Expect highs up to 23°C (73°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 34 rainy days across September–November. October–November are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 5°C (41°F) to 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 34
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 23°C (73°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 14 | 12.3 h | 3/5 |
| October | 18°C (64°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 12 | 11.2 h | 4/5 |
| November | 13°C (55°F) | 5°C (41°F) | 8 | 10.3 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 18°C (64°F) against a yearly 17°C (63°F), and 34 of the year's roughly 128 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- October: Sengokuhara silver grass at its peak (usually October to early November)
- November: Hakone Daimyō Gyōretsu — feudal lord's procession in Yumoto (usually 3 November)
- November: Autumn leaves (usually early to late November)
Good choices for autumn
Museum · Sengokuhara
Lalique Museum Hakone
This museum shows the glass and jewellery of René Lalique, including car mascots and perfume bottles.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Couples
Experience · Hakone-Yumoto
Tenzan onsen
Bring your own towel to save on hire, and check the tattoo policy before you go.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Rainy day
- Nature
Architecture · Miyanoshita
Fujiya Hotel
Opened in 1878, the Fujiya Hotel mixes Japanese temple-style roofs with Western interiors and has hosted many foreign visitors over its history.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- History
- Food
- Rainy day
Museum · Gōra
Hakone Open-Air Museum
Climb the spiral stairs inside the Symphonic Sculpture tower for its stained glass and a view over the grounds, and finish at the footbath.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Kids
- Outdoors
Gallery · Sengokuhara
Pola Museum of Art
Set in beech forest in Sengokuhara, this glass-and-concrete museum houses a large private collection including Impressionists such as Monet and Renoir, Japanese Western-style paintings and ceramics.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Nature
Day trips in autumn
- Lake Kawaguchi and Fuji Five Lakes (About 1.5–2 hours by bus) — The lakes on the northern side of Mount Fuji give close-up views of the volcano, with lakeside walks, the Chūreitō Pagoda viewpoint and ropeways.
- Gotemba Premium Outlets (About 30–45 minutes by bus) — A large outlet mall at the foot of Mount Fuji with Japanese and international brands, and Fuji views from the walkways on clear days.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Hakone?
Yes: October–November are among the best months. Golden silver grass in Sengokuhara, autumn leaves in November and clearer skies; weekends are busy.
+What is the weather like in Hakone in autumn?
Highs of up to 23°C (73°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 34 rainy days over the season.