Best Time to Visit Hakone
When is Best Time to Visit Hakone?
The best time to visit Hakone is late March - May and late September - November because the weather then is comfortable. It is not too cold or too hot and the rainy days are moderate.
Other than that, the scenery then is good. You can appreciate Sakura from late March to early May, Azalea in May, Susuzi grasslands from late September to November, and red leaves from late October to November.
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Sakura Season in Hakone
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Red Leaves in Hakone
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Time to Avoid Traveling to Hakone
Japan’s Golden Week from late April to early May is the least recommended time to go to Hakone. In spite of good weather, a large number of Japanese would go out for travelling, making Hakone full of tourists. In addition, the travel cost soars and the scenery is not that good as Hakone’s cherry blossom season ends.
Other than the Golden Week, during Hakone’s Sakura season, red leaf season, Christmas Day till New Year Holiday, and Obon Festival holidays around middle August, it is also very crowded here. Among them, November is the most crowded month in Hakone all over the year. Otherwise, apart from being touristy everywhere, you would spend much more for hotels.
Hakone is the backyard garden of Tokyo. Every weekend, many residents in Tokyo would pour into Hakone to spend their holiday, which causes the rise of hotel room prices, as well as the busier public traffic than on weekdays. These months are the rainy season with extremely frequent rains. On the one hand, continuous rain will affect your visiting to some extent, making the views you see less impressive. On the other hand, heavy rainfall may lead to muddy roads, especially in wild places like reserves..
Cheapest Time to Visit Hakone
1. Early January - mid-March
Usually, after Japan’s New Year Holiday - usually from January 1st to January 3rd, Japan’s travel shoulder season comes and lasts before the start of sakura season, which is mid-March for Hakone.
Note that in 2026, January 4th is Sunday, on which many Japanese may be still enjoying their holidays. In addition, it is very cold in January - Hakon’s coldest month in a year, so remember to keep warm.
2. May 6th - June
After Japan’s Golden Week and before the summer holiday in July and August, there are not many major holidays in Japan, so a shoulder travel season when hotel rooms are much cheaper. This is the same in Hakone. However, June is the rainy season in Hakone. Check the weather forecast if you decide to go there that month.
3. September - before late October
As the summer holiday ends, many tourists leave Hakone, and then comes another shoulder season again. It would last before its red leaf season in late October.
4. Early December - before Christmas Holiday
It is less touristy after the red leaf season and before the Christmas holiday, when many western travelers come here to spend Christmas and New Year Holiday. But, during that time, it is very cold and may snow, so please wear thick clothes.
Best Time to Soak Onsen in Hakone
For a superb onsen soaking experience in Hakone, the best time must be November - early March when the temperature is low, thus a good match with the hot spring as onsen water would warm up your body quickly.
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Hot Springs in Hakone
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December and January are the 2 best months to watch Mount Fuji from Hakone. First, they have the lowest cloud cover and the most sunny days all over the year, which create a good visibility. In addition, after 2 months of snow accumulation on the summit of Mount Fuji, Fuji is not bare like in summer.
Or if you want to see the classic triangle snowcapped summit of Fuji, then go there in November when there is not too much snow accumulation yet. Most of all, in that month, Hakone’s weather condition is not bad. Its sunny days account for about half of the month. Since it is cold in the periods, remember to wear thick winter clothes.
Best Time to Feel Hakone’s Festival Atmosphere
August is a good time to watch various celebration activities in Hakone, especially in its Hakone Summer Festival Week from July 31st to August 6th. First, in the daytime during the week, you can go to Hakone’s major shrines to watch the solemn religious ceremonies or the lively dancing and music performances. Second, every night from August 1st to 5th, the fireworks shows held around Lake Ashi are unmissable.Till the Obon Festival in mid-August, the traditional Bon Odori dancing can be seen in Ohiradai. Last, from mid to late August, mountain-burning activities are held in Gora and Sengokuhara.
As it is the hottest month in Hakone, please wear loose summer clothes if you go there in August. In addition, August 13th - 16th is Japan’s Obon Festival holiday and many locals make trips. As a summer resort, Hakone is crowded during the time.
