Hakone Weather in May

Season: Spring
Climate Overview: warm and cozy, humid, a good time for travel

Hakone's Forest in May

Temperature

Average Temperature: 18.2℃ (64.8℉)
Average High Temperature: 23℃ (73.4℉); the highest in record is 29.8℃ (85.6℉)
Average Low Temperature: 13.2℃ (55.8℉); the lowest in record is 7.3℃ (45.1℉)

Is it worth visiting Hakone in May? From the perspective of temperature, the answer must be “Yes”. Generally, visitors won’t feel cold for the most time, especially in the second half of the month. Because in late spring, temperature has risen to a comfortable level. Among 31 days, half of them have the highest temperature over 20℃ (68℉). After the intense activities, you may feel hot and even sweat, but fortunately there is light wind to help you cool down.

Rainfall

Total Rainfall: 105mm
Average Rainy Days: 6 days; the highest in record is 17 days

Hakone climate in May is featured by the increasing rain compared with previous months. In addition, according to the data of 2020 - 2024, the rainy days are on an increasing trend. During the 5 years, the rainy days totaled about 10 - 14 days. Fortunately, light rain accounts for a half of the rainy time. It still should be noted that the rain brings a high humidity - 77%, which is high enough to make people feel stuffy.

Sunrise, Sunset, Daylight

Sunrise (1st - 31st): 4:50 - 4:30
Sunset (1st - 31st): 18:30 - 18:52
Daylight Hours: 13.5h - 14.5h

The long daylight hours give visitors more time to explore Hakone’s natural beauty and try outdoor activities like mountain climbing and cycling. There is a higher chance to finish the 1-day Hakone loop trip and then travel to their next destinations like Lake Kawaguchiko, Yokohama, and Izu.

Japan’s Golden Week in 2025

The Golden Week is one of the longest holidays in Japan, which lasts from April 29th to May 5th each year. During the period, most Japanese would go to travel, so you would find it crowded everywhere in Japan. Other than the poor travelling experience, the increased travel cost for accommodation is another problem. So avoid going there in this period.

How to Wear in Hakone in May

Upper: Light shirt, blouse, and a trench coat are totally enough for the warm weather. Visitors planning to do outdoor activities should better wear clothes made from good sweat absorbing and quick drying materials.

Lower: thin jeans, or other single-layer pants

Shoes: sneakers, hiking shoes, casual shoes

Other Necessary Items in Your Luggage
1. Umbrella: The weather in mountains is changeable and it might rain suddenly.
2. Sunglasses, Sun Cream, and Hat: The average UV index is 5, which can cause damages on your eyes and skin.

Where to Go in Hakone in May

1. Visit Hakone Shrine

To look for the air of spring in May, you can add Hakone Shrine to your tour list. Facing the peaceful Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji and surrounded by dense forest, the Shrine is filled with the vitality in its every corner: the 800-year-old cedar trees on both sides of the stone hiking road and next to Shrine, the heather flower garden behind the main shrine, and more.

While being purified by the fresh air and pleasing plants, why not do some worship? The Shrine is known for being effective in helping pursue travel safety and good luck.

2. Appreciate Azalea

If Hakone in April is the season of Sakura, then May is the best time to see red Azaleas. From mid-May, Azaleas would gradually bloom and come to its peak season in the end of this month. Odakyu Hotel de Yama Garden is the best place to watch the flowers. There, in a garden built on the slope, about 3,000 azaleas of 30 species are planted. It is said that some species can date back to the Edo Period (1603 - 1868).

Azalea Blossom in Hakone

3. Watch Celebration Activities in Kintoki Shrine on 5th May

Every May 5th in Kintoki Shrine - a shrine believed to protect children, various activities would be held to celebrate Japanese Children’s Day, such as children running races and children sumo races. In addition, you can also watch lion dancing ritual. During the process, the performers would dress like lions and sprinkle clear water to worshippers to dispel evil and diseases and pray for health and wealth.

Worshipers in Kintoki Shrine

Tips

1. In May, especially in the end of the month, bears may wake up from hibernation. For outdoor adventurers, it is suggested to take a bear bell or hire a professional tour guide if you plan to go to deep mountains for hiking.

2. Going to Hakone in the second half of May is more cost-effective than the first half because both Sakura season and Golden Week would end. In that case, less tourists come to Hakone. That makes the price of hotel rooms fall down.

May Weather for Other Cities in Japan:

Hakone Weather by Month

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