Month guide · Hakone · Japan
Hakone in May
What May is really like in Hakone: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
May is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 20°C (68°F), lows of 10°C (50°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Fresh green forests and azaleas, though the Golden Week holidays at the start of the month are very crowded.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 20°C (68°F) / 10°C (50°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Hakone: days average 20°C (68°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about 10°C (50°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with April (16°C (61°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 22°C (72°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 04:39
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:40
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
Spring (March–May). Cherry blossoms from the lower valley upwards through April, azaleas and green forests in May, with very crowded Golden Week holidays.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is August at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in August). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Golden Week holidays (late April to early May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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
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
What to pack
For highs near 20°C, lows near 10°C and 11 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May 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 May a good time to visit Hakone?
It is a shoulder-season month. Fresh green forests and azaleas, though the Golden Week holidays at the start of the month are very crowded.
+How warm is Hakone in May?
Average highs are around 20°C (68°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Hakone in May?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.