Hakone Weather in December

Season: early winter
Climate Conditions: chilly but mostly sunny, suitable for watching Mount Fuji and soaking onsen

See Mount Fuji from Hakone in December

Temperature

Average Temperature: 7.6℃ (45.7℉)
Average High Temperature: 13.3℃ (55.9℉), the actual highest temperature in recent years reached 22.2℃ (72℉)
Average Low Temperature: 1.7℃ (35.1℉), the actual lowest temperature in recent years dropped to -3.4℃ (25.9℉)

December in Hakone is chilly and much colder than in Tokyo. The highest temperatures roughly range from 10 - 15℃ (50 - 59℉), while the lowest temperatures 0 - 5 ℃ (32 - 41℉). Keeping warm is essential. By the end of this month, it is likely that the lowest temperature would drop below 0℃ (32℉).

In addition, there is a huge temperature difference between the foot of the mountain and the summit. When it is about 5/ 6 ℃ (41/ 42.8℉) in Hakone Yumoto, the apparent temperature is below 0℃ (41℉) in Owakudani Valley. Also, the wind is strong around Lake Ashi, making it even colder.

Precipitation

Average Precipitation: 63mm, including 62mm rainfall and 1mm snowfall
Average Rainfall Days: 3 days; the actual highest in recent years was 6 days
Average Snowfall Days: 0.5 days

Rainy days are much fewer than in other months. For example, in 2024, there was only 1 rainy day in the whole December. Even if it does, it is often light rain or moderate rain. As for snowfall, it is also often light snow, and more likely to snow in the cold Sengokuhara and around windy Lake Ashi.

Snowy Day in Hakone in December

Sunrise, Sunset, Day Length

Sunrise (1st → 31st): roughly 6:30 → 6:50
Sunset (1st → 31st): roughly 16:30 → 16:40
Average Day Length: 9h 55min

Since it gets dark so early this month, then well plan your itinerary within the limited day time if you only have 1 day for Hakone. If you plan to hike in mountains, it is suggested to finish hiking at around 15:00, because it is dangerous to go down mountains when it gets dark.

The chance of sunny days is high. There are about 17 sunny days on average and the cloud cover is very low - 29%. Both of them create a good condition for successfully seeing Mount Fuji.

How to Dress in Hakone in December

Upper: thermal underwear, sweater, winter jacket/ down coat

Lower: thermal underwear, winter pants, thick socks

Shoes: boots/ winter hiking shoes

Other Necessities:

1. Scarf, gloves, knit cap: They help you keep warm, especially when you are around the windy and colder Lake Ashi and Owakudani Valley.

2. Moisturizing products, such as lipstick, hand cream, and body lotion: It is a little dry in December and your skin may chap in this dry climate.

Top Things to Do in Hakone during December 2025

1. Soak hot spring in onsen hotel

In cold December, soaking in onsen is a good way to warm up your body and relieve the tiredness. Don’t worry about the privacy issue as many onsen hotels in Hakone have private pools. Some onsens have superb locations for watching Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi, and it is quite an enjoyment to soak in warm water while appreciating the beautiful scenery. After the soaking, you can taste some traditional Japanese food in the hotel.

Hakone Onsen Pool

2. Watch Picasso Exhibition in Open Air Museum

Since it is so cold in December and the landscape is not as good as in other months, going to some indoor attractions is more recommended. In the Open Air Museum, about 300 authentic works of Picasso are stored in its different exhibition rooms. The types of works are abundant, including paintings and pottery works.

Picasso Exhibition in Open Air Museum

3. See Glass and Crystal Christmas Trees in Venetian Glass Museum

Every year from November 1st to January 8th of the next year, 2 Christmas trees made of glass and crystals would shine in Venetian Glass Museum. These 2 trees have romantic names. The 11-meter-high is named Romeo and the 8-meter-tall is named Juliet. In the daytime, its clear “branches” and “leaves” would sway in the wind. Sometimes, the Museum's opening hours would be lengthened to 20:00. Then, it is recommended to pay a visit and watch the trees when its colorful light lightens up the garden.

Tips

1. When it is windy, Hakone Ropeway may stop running temporarily and you may need to take the Hakone bus to get to your destination. Other than checking weather forecast in advance, you can also check Hakone tourist official website to see if Hakone’s transport runs normally.

2. Hakone is very crowded around Christmas Day.
Around Christmas Day, both Japanese and foreigners would pour into Hakone. Both hotels and restaurants could be fully booked days in advance. Please make reservation if you plan to come here during that period. Or, if you don’t mind, why not come here 1 - 2 weeks earlier than that? After all, the travel cost is much lower.

December Weather for Other Cities in Japan:

Hakone Weather by Month

January February March April May June July August September October November December