Hakone · Month comparison
October vs December
December ranks #1 overall vs October at #6. Crisp and clear — winter onsen season opens with excellent Fuji visibility and low crowds.
October
#6 of 12 months
Worth considering
Autumn foliage begins and the atmosphere is exceptional — though rainfall still caps the weather score.
- ↑Koyo (autumn foliage) begins mid-October: the ropeway over Owakudani framed by red and gold is one of Hakone's iconic sights
- ↑Mt Fuji increasingly visible as summer fog retreats: the combination of foliage and Fuji views is uniquely Hakone
December
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Crisp and clear — winter onsen season opens with excellent Fuji visibility and low crowds.
- ↑Excellent Mt Fuji clarity: December air is dry and clean, producing sharp sightlines from Lake Ashi and the ropeway
- ↑Lowest crowds of the post-autumn period: accommodation rates drop sharply after the foliage rush
| Factor | October | December |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 3 | 7 |
| Value score | 5 | 7 |
| Crowd score | 5 | 7 |
| Events score | 8 | 5 |
| Atmosphere | 9 | 8 |
| Avg high temp | 19°C | 9°C |
| Monthly rain | 155mm | 65mm |
| Daily sunshine | 5hrs | 6hrs |
October trade-offs
- ↓155mm of rainfall — hard cap applies; foliage-viewing days can be wet and overcast
- ↓Crowds building sharply toward the November foliage peak; accommodation booking needed weeks ahead
- ↓Rain can strip the foliage from trees early, narrowing the peak colour window unpredictably
December trade-offs
- ↓Cold: 2°C lows require proper layering for all outdoor activities including ropeway and lake walks
- ↓Christmas and New Year week (Dec 28–Jan 3) sees a brief price and crowd spike
- ↓Short daylight hours limit afternoon photography windows; the golden hour arrives before 4:30pm
Scores compare months within Hakone. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →