Month guide · Hakone · Japan
Hakone in January
What January 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
January is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 7°C (45°F), lows of -2°C (28°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 10 hours of daylight. Cold, dry and often clear, with some of the best Mount Fuji views of the year; New Year holidays are busy.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 7°C (45°F) / -2°C (28°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Hakone: days average 7°C (45°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about -2°C (28°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with December (9°C (48°F)), January is cooler; by February highs stay near 8°C (46°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:51
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:54
- Daylight
- About 10 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, January rates 3 for crowds (the peak is August at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in August). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in January
- Hakone Ekiden university relay race finishes and restarts at Lake Ashi (2–3 January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Gallery · Sengokuhara
Pola Museum of Art
Walk the forest trail after the galleries; it is especially beautiful in autumn and needs only about 20 minutes.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Nature
Gallery · Kowakudani
Okada Museum of Art
This museum displays Japanese, Chinese and Korean art, from ceramics to folding screens, across several floors.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Art
- Rainy day
- Couples
Garden · Gōra
Gōra Park
Ride the cable car up to Kōen-kami station and walk down through the park to Gōra.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Rainy day
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
What to pack
For highs near 7°C, lows near -2°C and 6 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Hakone?
A 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 January a good time to visit Hakone?
It is a shoulder-season month. Cold, dry and often clear, with some of the best Mount Fuji views of the year; New Year holidays are busy.
+How warm is Hakone in January?
Average highs are around 7°C (45°F) and lows around -2°C (28°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Hakone in January?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.