Season guide · Hakone · Japan
Hakone in winter
December–February: 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
Crisp, cold and often clear, with the best chances of seeing Mount Fuji and the most atmospheric outdoor baths. Expect highs up to 9°C (48°F) and lows around -2°C (28°F), with about 19 rainy days across December–February. December is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–February
- Temperatures
- -2°C (28°F) to 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 19
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in winter
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C (45°F) | -2°C (28°F) | 6 | 10 h | 3/5 |
| February | 8°C (46°F) | -2°C (28°F) | 7 | 10.9 h | 2/5 |
| December | 9°C (48°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 6 | 9.8 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 8°C (46°F) against a yearly 17°C (63°F), and 19 of the year's roughly 128 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in winter
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Hakone Ekiden university relay race finishes and restarts at Lake Ashi (2–3 January)
- February: Plum blossom in Odawara (usually February)
- December: New Year holiday peak (late December)
Good choices for winter
Architecture · Miyanoshita
Fujiya Hotel
Stop for curry or pie in the café while waiting for the Tozan Railway at Miyanoshita station, about ten minutes' walk away.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- History
- Food
- Rainy day
Museum · Gōra
Hakone Open-Air Museum
Opened in 1969, Japan's first open-air art museum spreads more than a hundred modern sculptures, by artists including Henry Moore and Rodin, across landscaped hillsides.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Kids
- Outdoors
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
Day trips in winter
- 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.
- Atami (About 40–60 minutes by train) — A seaside onsen resort at the top of the Izu Peninsula with a sandy beach, the MOA Museum of Art on the hillside and summer fireworks over the bay.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers
- Shoes with good grip for icy pavements
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is winter a good time to visit Hakone?
Yes: December is among the best months. Crisp, cold and often clear, with the best chances of seeing Mount Fuji and the most atmospheric outdoor baths.
+What is the weather like in Hakone in winter?
Highs of up to 9°C (48°F) and lows around -2°C (28°F), with about 19 rainy days over the season.