When to go · Hakuba

Hakuba in May

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–May and Nov (thin snow, closed lifts, mud).

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Temperature: 19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) / 7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C); average high / low
Rain days: 11
Crowds: Medium; Japan overall
Prices: Medium; Japan overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Hakuba

Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–May and Nov (thin snow, closed lifts, mud).

Is another month better than May?

May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Weather in May

Long-term averages

HakubaHighs around 19 °C (66 °F), lows around 7 °C (45 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 66 °F (19 °C), lows around 45 °F (7 °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.

Golden Week big impact
29 Apr – 5 May · Japan
The biggest domestic travel week: Shinkansen reserved cars and hotels sell out; prices up.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Japan overall: Medium
Prices · Japan overall: Medium

Japan overall: After Golden Week, one of the best months: warm, green, calmer.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Hakuba, side by side.

First month

Second month

Verdict
May: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Jan: 1 °C (34 °F)34 °F (1 °C)
Night low
May: 7 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7 °C)
Jan: -7 °C (19 °F)19 °F (-7 °C)
Rain days
May: 11 (better)
Jan: 15
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
May: 1
Jan: 1

May: Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–May and Nov (thin snow, closed lifts, mud).

January: 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.

What to pack

A warm layer for the evenings
A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Japan in May →