Best time to visit · Hakone · Japan
The best time to visit Hakone
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: まも, Public domain
Quick answer
The best times to visit Hakone are October to early December, for autumn colour, golden silver grass and clear Mount Fuji views, and late March to May for blossom and fresh greenery. Winter is cold but clear and ideal for outdoor onsen. June and July bring the rainy season and mist that hides Fuji, though the hydrangeas are a consolation. Avoid Golden Week, Obon and autumn weekends if you can.
Key facts
- Best months
- April and October–December
- Shoulder season
- January–March and May
- Warmest month
- August (avg high 27°C (81°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 7°C (45°F))
- Rainiest month
- June (~15 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- February
Seasons
Hakone is noticeably cooler and wetter than Tokyo because of its altitude. Winters are crisp and often clear, with frost and occasional snow; summers are warm and humid, with a rainy season in June and July and frequent mist on the mountains.
March–May
Spring
Cherry blossoms from the lower valley upwards through April, azaleas and green forests in May, with very crowded Golden Week holidays.
June–August
Summer
Rainy season and hydrangeas in June and July, then humid, often cloudy weather; cooler than Tokyo but Fuji is rarely visible.
September–November
Autumn
Golden silver grass in Sengokuhara, autumn leaves in November and clearer skies; weekends are busy.
December–February
Winter
Crisp, cold and often clear, with the best chances of seeing Mount Fuji and the most atmospheric outdoor baths.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C | -2°C | 6 | 10 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| February | 8°C | -2°C | 7 | 10.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 11°C | 1°C | 11 | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 16°C | 6°C | 11 | 13 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 20°C | 10°C | 11 | 14 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 22°C | 15°C | 15 | 14.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 26°C | 19°C | 15 | 14.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 27°C | 20°C | 12 | 13.5 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 23°C | 17°C | 14 | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 18°C | 11°C | 12 | 11.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 13°C | 5°C | 8 | 10.3 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| December | 9°C | 0°C | 6 | 9.8 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Hakone Ekiden university relay race finishes and restarts at Lake Ashi (2–3 January) |
| February | Plum blossom in Odawara (usually February) |
| April | Cherry blossom in Miyanoshita and around Lake Ashi (usually early to late April) |
| May | Golden Week holidays (late April to early May) |
| June | Hydrangea season on the Hakone Tozan Railway (usually mid-June to mid-July) |
| July | Lake Ashi lake festival with torii-yaki fires (usually late July) |
| August | Gōra Daimonji-yaki bonfire on Mount Myōjō (usually 16 August) |
| 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); Autumn leaves (usually early to late November) |
| December | New Year holiday peak (late December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in February, and the sights are quietest in February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Hakone?
The best times to visit Hakone are October to early December, for autumn colour, golden silver grass and clear Mount Fuji views, and late March to May for blossom and fresh greenery. Winter is cold but clear and ideal for outdoor onsen. June and July bring the rainy season and mist that hides Fuji, though the hydrangeas are a consolation. Avoid Golden Week, Obon and autumn weekends if you can.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Hakone?
Usually in February. Coldest and quietest weeks, with occasional snow; perfect for steaming outdoor baths.
+What is the rainiest month in Hakone?
June, with about 15 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Hakone get?
The warmest month, August, averages highs of 27°C (81°F) and lows of 20°C (68°F).