When to go · Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen, month by month
The best months for Zao Onsen: Jan, Feb, Mar, Jul, Aug, Sep, Dec.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatInside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.-1 °C (30 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 20 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 20 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGreatInside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.0 °C (32 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 17 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 17 rain daysCrowds: Low
- MarchGreatInside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 16 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 16 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilMixedOutside the best window (Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views). Across Japan: Blossom peak early April and Golden Week at the end: the two most crowded windows of the year.12 °C (54 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 12 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayGoodOutside the best window (Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views). Across Japan: After Golden Week, one of the best months: warm, green, calmer.19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneMixedOutside the best window (Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views). Across Japan: Rainy season in Honshū: grey, humid, fewer tourists; Hokkaidō is at its best.22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 13 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 13 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JulyGreatInside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 16 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 16 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- AugustGreatInside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.27 °C (81 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 14 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 14 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberGreatInside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 13 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 13 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGoodOutside the best window (Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views). Across Japan: Clear, mild and dry: the best all-round month.16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberGoodOutside the best window (Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views). Across Japan: Autumn leaves in Kyoto and Tokyo: excellent weather, peak hotel prices mid-to-late month.9 °C (48 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 15 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 15 rain daysCrowds: High
- DecemberGreatInside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 19 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 19 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Zao Onsen, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Great
Feb: Great
Daytime high
Jan: -1 °C (30 °F)30 °F (-1 °C)
Feb: 0 °C (32 °F)32 °F (0 °C)
Night low
Jan: -7 °C (19 °F)19 °F (-7 °C)
Feb: -7 °C (19 °F)19 °F (-7 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 20
Feb: 17 (better)
Crowds
Jan: Low
Feb: Low
Prices
Jan: Low
Feb: Low
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Feb: 0
January: Inside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.
February: Inside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.
Zao Onsen: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.