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Best time to visit Hakone: month by month
Short answer
October to November is the best time, with highs of about 17–21°C, autumn leaves and fewer rainy days. Late March to April brings cherry blossoms, with highs of 15–18°C. Winter is cold (about 9–12°C) but gives the best chance of seeing Mount Fuji, while June to September is warm, humid and wetter, with 16–17 rainy days a month.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9°C | 2°C | 7 | high |
| Feb | 10°C | 3°C | 7 | medium |
| Mar | 15°C | 8°C | 12 | medium |
| Apr | 18°C | 11°C | 11 | high |
| May | 21°C | 15°C | 13 | high |
| Jun | 24°C | 19°C | 17 | medium |
| Jul | 28°C | 23°C | 16 | medium |
| Aug | 29°C | 24°C | 16 | high |
| Sep | 27°C | 21°C | 16 | medium |
| Oct | 21°C | 15°C | 12 | high |
| Nov | 17°C | 11°C | 7 | very high |
| Dec | 12°C | 5°C | 7 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from about 15°C in March to 21°C in May, with 11–13 rainy days; cherry blossoms around Gora and Miyanoshita in late March and April.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of about 24–29°C and lows of 19–24°C, with 16–17 rainy days; rainy season in June–July, hydrangeas along the Tozan line, and Fuji often hidden.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Highs fall from about 27°C in September to 17°C in November; September is still wet, but October and November are clearer, with autumn leaves.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of about 9–12°C and lows of 2–5°C, with about 7 rainy days a month; the clearest skies and best Fuji views, and onsen at their best.
Events worth planning around
- Hakone Ekiden university relay race, which climbs through Hakone — 2–3 January
- Golden Week holidays — late April to early May, very busy
- Daimonji-yaki bonfire on the hill above Gora — mid-August
- Hakone Daimyo Gyoretsu, a costumed procession in Hakone-Yumoto — 3 November
When to avoid
Avoid weekends and Japanese holidays such as New Year, Golden Week and mid-August if you dislike crowds and high prices. The June–July rainy season often hides Mount Fuji and can disrupt transport.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Hakone?
October and November for autumn leaves and clear skies, with highs of about 17–21°C.
When can you see Mount Fuji from Hakone?
Most often on clear winter mornings, from December to February. Summer is usually hazy.
Is Hakone worth visiting in the rainy season?
It can be, for hydrangeas along the Tozan line in June and July, but expect rain and few Fuji views.