Month guide · Hakone · Japan
Hakone in February
What February is really like in Hakone: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 663highland, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
February is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 8°C (46°F), lows of -2°C (28°F), about 7 rainy days and roughly 10.9 hours of daylight. Coldest and quietest weeks, with occasional snow; perfect for steaming outdoor baths.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 8°C (46°F) / -2°C (28°F)
- Rainy days
- About 7
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in February
February is the 11th-warmest month in Hakone: days average 8°C (46°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about -2°C (28°F). Rain falls on roughly 7 of its 28 days. Compared with January (7°C (45°F)), February is about as warm; by March highs climb to around 11°C (52°F).
- Sunrise (15 February)
- About 06:30
- Sunset (15 February)
- About 17:26
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
Winter (December–February). Crisp, cold and often clear, with the best chances of seeing Mount Fuji and the most atmospheric outdoor baths.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, February rates 2 for crowds (the peak is August at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in August). That makes February one of the better-value months to book.
Events in February
- Plum blossom in Odawara (usually February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in February
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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
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Nature · Ōwakudani
Ōwakudani
This volcanic valley, formed by an eruption around 3,000 years ago, hisses with sulphur vents and hot springs on the slopes of Mount Kami.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Views
- Food
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Experience · Ōwakudani
Hakone Ropeway
Ride in the morning, when visibility is usually better and queues at Sōunzan are shorter; the ropeway can suspend service in strong winds.
- Time needed
- 30–40 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Kids
- Iconic
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 8°C, lows near -2°C and 7 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is February a good time to visit Hakone?
A good-value shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April and October–December are better overall. Compare every month.
Hakone in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is February a good time to visit Hakone?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Coldest and quietest weeks, with occasional snow; perfect for steaming outdoor baths.
+How warm is Hakone in February?
Average highs are around 8°C (46°F) and lows around -2°C (28°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Hakone in February?
Expect rain on about 7 days of the month.