The month in detail
What to expect in January
Off-season for skiing Hakone — lifts are closed. Consider hiking, mountain biking or summer activities at altitude. Rain risk remains low (20% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.
January ranks 7 out of 12 months in Hakone. Compared to December: −2°C daytime.
This month's conditions
What it's like in January
UV index
3 · moderate
protect during midday hours
Feels like
dry air
-7°
Daylight
9.9h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 23
Compare
Is January the right month?
The best month in Hakone is August (7.6/10), 3.5 pts higher than January.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Hakone
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Hakone
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a mountain stay.
Country · Japan
🗣️LanguageJapanese
💶CurrencyYen japonais (¥)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘSafe · 2/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeAlpine mountain climate
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthAugust · 24°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 3°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJune · 47%
🏔️ Mountain stay
⛰️Village altitude40 m
🎿Ski area—
⛷️Ski seasonDec → May
🥾Hiking seasonJun → Sep
🧗High mountains ⓘGuide recommended
Explore
Other destinations in January
If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Hakone ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
JapanAlpine mountain climate climate with a 7.6 → 1.2 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
35.23°N · 139.01°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Hakone?
It depends on the activity. For skiing: January (ski score 7.4/10). For hiking/summer: January (7.4/10, 3.0°C).
Can you ski in Hakone in winter?
Yes, it's peak ski season. Average ski score December–February: 6.8/10. Cold temperatures (3°C max in January) and frequent snowfall.
Is it warm in Hakone in summer?
In January, temperatures average 3.0°C. Best period for hiking and outdoor activities.
What is the wettest month in Hakone?
March is the wettest month with March has the lowest climate score of the year.
Do you need sun protection in Hakone in January?
The average UV index reaches 3 in January in Hakone (moderate), with about 9.9h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.