When to go · Hakuba
Hakuba, month by month
The best months for Hakuba: Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug. Months to avoid: Apr, May, Nov.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatInside Hakuba's best window: Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes.1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 15 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 15 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGreatInside Hakuba's best window: Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes.2 °C (36 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 13 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 13 rain daysCrowds: Low
- MarchGoodOutside the best window (Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes). Across Japan: Blossom arrives late in the month: prices jump, book early.6 °C (43 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 13 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 13 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Apr–May and Nov (thin snow, closed lifts, mud).13 °C (55 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Apr–May and Nov (thin snow, closed lifts, mud).19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 11 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneMixedOutside the best window (Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes). Across Japan: Rainy season in Honshū: grey, humid, fewer tourists; Hokkaidō is at its best.22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JulyGreatInside Hakuba's best window: Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes.26 °C (79 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 14 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 14 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- AugustGreatInside Hakuba's best window: Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes.28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 12 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberMixedOutside the best window (Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes). Across Japan: Still hot; typhoon peak can cancel flights and ferries for a day or two.23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 12 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGoodOutside the best window (Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes). Across Japan: Clear, mild and dry: the best all-round month.17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 10 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Apr–May and Nov (thin snow, closed lifts, mud).11 °C (52 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: High
- DecemberGoodOutside the best window (Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes). Across Japan: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.4 °C (39 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 14 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 14 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Hakuba, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Great
Feb: Great
Daytime high
Jan: 1 °C (34 °F)34 °F (1 °C)
Feb: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
Night low
Jan: -7 °C (19 °F)19 °F (-7 °C)
Feb: -7 °C (19 °F)19 °F (-7 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 15
Feb: 13 (better)
Crowds
Jan: Low
Feb: Low
Prices
Jan: Low
Feb: Low
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Feb: 0
January: Inside Hakuba's best window: Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes.
February: Inside Hakuba's best window: Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes.
Hakuba: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.