When to go · Hakone
Hakone in August
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Golden Week, Obon (mid-Aug), weekends year-round.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C) / 19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- High
- Japan overall
- Prices
- High
- Japan overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Golden Week, Obon (mid-Aug), weekends year-round.
Is another month better than August?
August is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- OctoberGreatInside Hakone's best window: Oct–Feb for Fuji views; Apr–May and Nov for walking.
- NovemberGreatInside Hakone's best window: Oct–Feb for Fuji views; Apr–May and Nov for walking.
- DecemberGreatInside Hakone's best window: Oct–Feb for Fuji views; Apr–May and Nov for walking.
- JanuaryGreatInside Hakone's best window: Oct–Feb for Fuji views; Apr–May and Nov for walking.
Weather in August
- HakoneHighs around 27 °C (81 °F), lows around 19 °C (66 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 81 °F (27 °C), lows around 66 °F (19 °C), rain on about 11 days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Obon big impact
About 13–16 Aug · Japan
Family travel peak; Shinkansen and expressways jammed; some small shops close.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Japan overall
- High
- Prices · Japan overall
- High
Japan overall: Hottest month and Obon travel peak: go north (Hokkaidō, Tōhoku) or plan short outdoor windows.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Hakone, side by side.
Verdict
Aug: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Aug: 27 °C (81 °F)81 °F (27 °C)
Jan: 6 °C (43 °F)43 °F (6 °C)
Night low
Aug: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Jan: -3 °C (27 °F)27 °F (-3 °C)
Rain days
Aug: 11
Jan: 6 (better)
Crowds
Aug: High
Jan: Low
Prices
Aug: High
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
Aug: 1
Jan: 1
August: Listed as a month to avoid: Golden Week, Obon (mid-Aug), weekends year-round.
January: Inside Hakone's best window: Oct–Feb for Fuji views; Apr–May and Nov for walking.
Hakone: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast