When to go · Hakuba
Hakuba, month by month
The best months for Hakuba: Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug. Months to avoid: Apr, May, Nov.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatInside Hakuba's best window: Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes.1 °C / -7 °C, 15 rain days34 °F / 19 °F, 15 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGreatInside Hakuba's best window: Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes.2 °C / -7 °C, 13 rain days36 °F / 19 °F, 13 rain daysCrowds: Low
- MarchGoodOutside the best window (Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes). Across Japan: Blossom arrives late in the month: prices jump, book early.6 °C / -4 °C, 13 rain days43 °F / 25 °F, 13 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Apr–May and Nov (thin snow, closed lifts, mud).13 °C / 1 °C, 11 rain days55 °F / 34 °F, 11 rain daysCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Apr–May and Nov (thin snow, closed lifts, mud).19 °C / 7 °C, 11 rain days66 °F / 45 °F, 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneMixedOutside the best window (Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes). Across Japan: Rainy season in Honshū: grey, humid, fewer tourists; Hokkaidō is at its best.22 °C / 12 °C, 12 rain days72 °F / 54 °F, 12 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JulyGreatInside Hakuba's best window: Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes.26 °C / 17 °C, 14 rain days79 °F / 63 °F, 14 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- AugustGreatInside Hakuba's best window: Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes.28 °C / 18 °C, 12 rain days82 °F / 64 °F, 12 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberMixedOutside the best window (Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes). Across Japan: Still hot; typhoon peak can cancel flights and ferries for a day or two.23 °C / 14 °C, 12 rain days73 °F / 57 °F, 12 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGoodOutside the best window (Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes). Across Japan: Clear, mild and dry: the best all-round month.17 °C / 7 °C, 10 rain days63 °F / 45 °F, 10 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Apr–May and Nov (thin snow, closed lifts, mud).11 °C / 1 °C, 11 rain days52 °F / 34 °F, 11 rain daysCrowds: High
- DecemberGoodOutside the best window (Jan–Feb for snow; Jul–Aug for hiking and lakes). Across Japan: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.4 °C / -4 °C, 14 rain days39 °F / 25 °F, 14 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday