Japan
Hakone in January
❄️ WinterCold and some showers.
🎒 Pack: winter coat, gloves & hat · compact umbrella or rain jacket
Why January scores 7.9What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort6.5
- !Cold (6°C highs / 0°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point -0.7°C)
- !Wet: ~101 mm rain, ~3 heavy-rain days
- Air quality8.5
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~14 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Jan | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.9 Very good | 8.7 Excellent |
| Season | ❄️ Winter | 🌿 Late spring |
| High / low | 6° / 0° | 20° / 12° |
| Rain | 101 mm | 193 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt -1° | dew pt 12° |
| PM2.5 | 14 µg/m³ | 14 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Hakone weather-station normals. Rainfall: Hakone weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsJanuary 2027
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- New Year 1–3 Jan · 3 days off in a row
- Coming of Age Day 9–11 Jan · 3 days off in a row
- Year-end & New Year break 29 Dec – 3 Jan
Most businesses and some attractions close; trains and flights are busy around the start and end. Source: Japan National Tourism Organization
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Hakone
- Autumn leaves: Hakone Museum of ArtTypical datesUsually mid-Nov to late-Nov
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
- Autumn leaves: Hakone Gora ParkTypical datesUsually late-Nov to early-Dec
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
Explore HakoneEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyA mountain hot-spring resort area near Mount Fuji, popular from Tokyo for onsen, Lake Ashi cruises, volcanic scenery and art museums.
Hakone EkidenEvery year2 to 3 January every year
A famous university relay race televised nationwide, with the turnaround at Lake Ashi.
Why go: Roads along the route close and crowds line the course.
Where: Route between Tokyo and Lake Ashi
Coming up later
Hydrangea seasonDate variesUsually mid-June to mid-July
Hydrangeas bloom beside the railway tracks.
Why go: Some seasonal evening trains run to view illuminated flowers.
Where: Along the Hakone Tozan Railway
Hakone Daimyo GyoretsuEvery year3 November every year
A costumed procession re-enacting a feudal lord's journey along the Tokaido.
Why go: Falls on Culture Day, a national holiday, so the area is busy.
Where: Hakone-Yumoto
Autumn leavesDate variesUsually early to late November
Maples and other trees turn red and gold across the mountains.
Why go: Weekends are very crowded; travel on weekdays if you can.
Where: Throughout Hakone
Lake Ashi
A crater lake with sightseeing boats and, on clear days, views of Mount Fuji.
💡 Fuji views are most likely on clear winter mornings.
Hakone Shrine
A forest shrine known for its red torii gate standing in the waters of Lake Ashi.
Owakudani
A volcanic valley with steaming vents and sulphur, reached by the Hakone Ropeway.
💡 Access can be restricted when volcanic gas levels rise; check before going.
Hakone Open-Air Museum
An outdoor sculpture park with works by modern artists and a Picasso pavilion.
Hakone Tozan Railway
A mountain railway that climbs through switchbacks, lined with hydrangeas in early summer.
Old Tokaido Road
A preserved stretch of the old Edo-period highway with cedar trees and stone paving.
Kuro-tamago
Eggs boiled in Owakudani's hot springs, whose shells turn black.
💡 Owakudani
Yuba
Tofu skin, served in various dishes and set meals.
💡 Restaurants in Hakone-Yumoto
Soba
Buckwheat noodles served hot or cold.
💡 Hakone-Yumoto
Onsen manju
Steamed buns with sweet bean filling, sold in hot-spring towns.
Yosegi-zaiku
Traditional Hakone wood marquetry, including famous secret puzzle boxes.
Kamaboko
Fish cakes from nearby Odawara, a well-known regional speciality.
💡 Odawara and Hakone-Yumoto shops
Kuro-tamago
Black eggs and themed snacks.
💡 Owakudani