Hakone Weather in April

Season: Spring
Climate Overview: warm, moderate rainy days, no snow

The weather of Hakone in April is getting warmer and warmer and visitors can travel with light spring clothes. But, rain gear is needed because there is a high chance of moderate or heavy rain. In spite of that, Hakone trip in April is worthwhile as its Sakura peak season comes in early April.

Picasso Exhibition in Open Air Museum

Temperature

Average Temperature: 14℃ (47.2℉)
Average High Temperature: 19.3℃ (66.7℉); the historical highest record is 28.7℃ (83.7℉)
Average Low Temperature: 8.9℃ (48℉), the historical lowest record is 3.6℃ (38.5℉)

Generally, Hakone climate in April ensures a comfortable travelling experience. In recent years, in terms of the highest temperature, half of the April is over 20℃ (68℉), sometimes even over 25℃ (77℉). However, when it rains, the temperature would fall dramatically and making people feel cold.

Rainfall

Total Precipitation: 137mm rain
Average Precipitation Days: 7 days; the highest historical record is 14 days

Basically, there is no snowfall in April, which makes the trip safer. For rainfall, although there is not too much, moderate rain and heavy rain account for half, which influences the trip a lot, so check weather forecast before coming here.

Sunrise, Sunset, Daylight Hours

Sunrise (1st - 30th): 5:30 - 4:55
Sunset (1st - 30th): 18:05 - 18:30
Daylight Hours: 12.5h – 13.5h

Sunny Days, Sunshine Hours: 12 days, 6.5h/day on average

Hakone Cherry Blossom Forecast

The Sakura season in Hakone begins around mid-March, but the best appreciation time is early April. Also, the flower season usually ends in the late April. As the temperature on the mountain peak is not as high as on mountain foot, the Sakura in high altitude areas would bloom later.

Packing List for Hakone Trip in April

Planning to visit Hakone in April 2026? Just cross the thick down coat and winter pants from your packing list. You can wear lightweight clothes in the most time, but an extra coat is necessary, in case it rains and temperature drops.

What’s more, you’d better pack another 2 - 3 sets of clothes to change as it is not convenient to wash clothes during the journey.

Upper: trench coat, hoody/shirts/, an extra thin sweater

Lower: casual spring pants

Shoes: sneakers/ short boots/ casual shoes

Other Items to Take: umbrella; face mask, especially for visitors allergic to pollen; kimonos for taking photos with Sakura

Best Things to Do in Hakone in April 2026

1. Watch Cute Sakura

Throughout this month, there are always places for you to watch this flower. In the first half of the month, you can go to Gora Park, where there are Sakura pedals of different shapes and Miyagino Riverbank, along which grow a 600-meter-long (660 yards) row of Sakura blossoms. If you come in the second half, the tall tree with blooming blossom by Lake Ashi in Hakone-en and the 2 “lover trees” in Hatajuku are unmissable.

Cherry Blossom in Hakone

2. Explore Owaku-dani Valley

Owaku-dani Valley is an iconic attraction in Hakone. Formed 3,000 years ago, strong volcanic activities are still going on every day. By taking Hakone Ropeway, you can see the white gas and yellow sulfur gas rising above. Its specialty – black eggs boiled in spring is said to lengthen one’s life. On sunny days, the Valley’s view platform is also a superb site to watch Mount Fuji.

Hot Springs in Owakudani Valley

Tip: It is windy in April, which makes the sulfur gas floating in the air. Please take a face mask if you are sensitive to it.

3. Hiking Hakone Old Tokaido Way

With no snowfall, hiking in April is much safer than before. Here, Hakone Old Tokaido Way is beloved greatly. Connecting Kyoto and Tokyo in the past, it has a history of over 500 years. During the 3-hour single-way hiking, the dense virgin forests, fresh air, traditional teahouses, and ancient temples make people feel like stepping back in time.

Hakone Old Tokaido Way

Tips for Travelling to Hakone in April

1. Due to the warm temperature and the rising rainfall, there would be fog in the morning. To appreciate Mount Fuji clearly from Lake Ashi, noon and time after that are more advised.

2. April is the top tourist season in Hakone and the crowds may cause bad travelling experience. As most visitors would tour Hakone in the anti-clockwise direction, you can do that in the opposite order to avoid crowds.

3. Hotel rooms are harder to book and the prices would be very high in this month, especially the onsen hotels. Please make reservation 3 - 6 months in advance. Some hotels provide independent onsen service without reserving their rooms. Consider it if the rooms are fully booked.

April Weather for Other Cities in Japan:

Hakone Weather by Month

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