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Hakuba weather & best time to visit

Mountain air

Hakuba at a glance

Best time
Apr – Jun, Oct
Warmest month
Aug · 29°
Sunshine a year
1,930 h
Rain a year
2,689 mm
Climate
Continental
Time zone
UTC+9
Elevation
702 m

Climate in Hakuba

Hakuba has warm to hot summers and cold winters with occasional snow. August is the warmest month with average highs of 29 °C, while January is the coolest at 2 °C. With around 1,930 hours of sunshine a year, Hakuba is moderately sunny; May is the sunniest month with 6.9 hours a day.

Holiday weather through the year

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Hakuba

The best time to visit Hakuba is from April to June and in October. In October, though, the typhoon season is at its peak: check the forecast before you go. Hiking and mountain trips are best from May to June and from September to October, when the trails are largely free of snow. Rain is frequent from July to September and from November to March; the wettest month is July with 305 mm.

Hakuba through the seasons

How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.

Hakuba in spring

Mar – May

49

Fair

  • 8–22 °C by day
  • 6.3 h of sun a day
  • 51 rainy days in all

Hakuba in summer

Jun – Aug

44

Fair

  • 24–29 °C by day
  • 5.9 h of sun a day
  • 58 rainy days in all

Hakuba in autumn

Sep – Nov

51

Fair

  • 12–25 °C by day
  • 4.9 h of sun a day
  • 52 rainy days in all

Hakuba in winter

Dec – Feb

4

Poor

  • 2–5 °C by day
  • 4.1 h of sun a day
  • 68 rainy days in all

Which month for what?

Hiking & mountain trips

May – Jun, Sep – Oct

13–27 °C in the village, little snow

Rainy months

Jul – Sep, Nov – Mar

18 or more rainy days, often short showers and storms

Snow

Nov – Apr

Snow on 2 or more days

Find your perfect month

Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Hakuba for you.

Sunshine
Little rain

Your best months: May, October

Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.

Your holiday weather, at a glance

Weather in October

Weather in October

62

Holiday weather in October

Good

Best time to visit: April – June, October

October is the peak of the typhoon season Hurricane season

Good forSightseeing & walks

Keep in mindStorm season

A typical day in October

  1. Morning, 08:00: about 13°
  2. Midday, 13:00: about 18°
  3. Afternoon, 16:00: about 17°
  4. Evening, 20:00: about 13°
  5. Night, 23:00: about 11°

05:5517:14

Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.

Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.

Light for photos in October

Golden hour
Morning 05:39–06:30 · evening 16:39–17:30
Blue hour
Morning 05:29–05:39 · evening 17:30–17:40

Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.

October in Hakuba compared with home

Home:

Loading the climate at home …

Early or late October?

In October, daytime highs fall from about 21° at the start of the month to 15° at the end. The days get 1.1 h shorter.

Early or late October?
October1 Oct31 Oct
Daytime high21°15°
Night-time low12°5°
Daylight11.9 h10.8 h

What is the weather like in Hakuba in October?

In October, Hakuba is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. Expect around 5.2 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 210 mm. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Hakuba.

More details for October

Daylight
11 h 19 min05:55 – 17:14
UV index
5 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
Muggy days
0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
Wind
10 km/haverage daily peakAll months
Cloud cover
63 %on averageAll months
Hot days
0 days30 °C or moreAll months
Snow days
0 days1 cm or more of fresh snowAll months
Time zone
UTC+9offset from UTC

How the score comes together

  • Temperatureweight 50 %100 %
  • Sunshineweight 20 %37 %
  • Few rainy daysweight 30 %14 %

Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Mountain air”.

What to pack in October

  • Sunscreen
  • A jumper for the evenings
  • Rain jacket or umbrella

Compare two months in Hakuba

Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.

vs

May has the better holiday weather in Hakuba: score 69 against 62. In May, days are 4 °C warmer than in October. May has one rainy day fewer. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in May.

October vs May, Hakuba
MonthOctoberMay
Holiday weather score6269better
Daytime high18°22°
Night-time low9°9°
Sunshine5.2 h6.9 hbetter
Rainy days1615better
Rainfall210 mm188 mmbetter

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Hakuba month by month

The typical weather for every month at a glance.

3January2° · 3.8 h

In January, Hakuba is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 2 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−7 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 3.8 hours a day. Precipitation falls on about 25 days, totalling 245 mm; on about 21 of them it snows. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hakuba.

Hakuba in January
5February3° · 4.6 h

In February, Hakuba is cold: daytime highs average 3 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−6 °C). Expect around 4.6 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation falls on about 21 days, totalling 195 mm; on about 17 of them it snows. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hakuba.

Hakuba in February
17March8° · 5.4 h

In March, Hakuba is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−3 °C). Expect around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 20 days, adding up to 211 mm. Snow falls on about 13 days. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hakuba.

Hakuba in March
60April15° · 6.5 h

In April, Hakuba is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 177 mm. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in Hakuba.

Hakuba in April
69May22° · 6.9 h

In May, Hakuba is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sun shines for around 6.9 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 188 mm. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Hakuba.

Hakuba in May
62June24° · 5.6 h

In June, Hakuba is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. Expect around 5.6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 233 mm. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Hakuba.

Hakuba in June
37July28° · 5.4 h

In July, Hakuba is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. Expect around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 22 days, adding up to 305 mm. On about 8 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hakuba.

Hakuba in July
32August29° · 6.6 h

In August, Hakuba is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. It rains often – on about 20 days, adding up to 237 mm. On about 14 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hakuba.

Hakuba in August
57September25° · 5.0 h

In September, Hakuba is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. Expect around 5.0 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 18 days, adding up to 248 mm. All in all, September is a so-so month for a holiday in Hakuba.

Hakuba in September
62October18° · 5.2 h

In October, Hakuba is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. Expect around 5.2 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 210 mm. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Hakuba.

Hakuba in October
34November12° · 4.6 h

In November, Hakuba is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 1 °C. Expect around 4.6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 18 days, adding up to 196 mm. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hakuba.

Hakuba in November
3December5° · 3.9 h

In December, Hakuba is cold: daytime highs average 5 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−5 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 3.9 hours a day. It rains often – on about 23 days, adding up to 246 mm. Snow falls on about 16 days. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hakuba.

Hakuba in December

Climate in detail

Year & climate table

Climate through the year

Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.

Best time to visit

Nights and sleep in Hakuba

How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.

  • Frost below 0°
  • Cold 0–8°
  • Cool 8–15°
  • Pleasant 15–20°
  • Warm 20–24°
  • muggy month (15+ muggy days)

CoolOctober: nights around 9°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.

The coolest nights are in January (−7°), the warmest in August (20°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule in August; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in July and in September. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from November to April, so the room should be heated. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 63 days a year, mostly from July to August.

Temperatures through the year

Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.

OctoberDay 18°Night 9°
DayNight
MonthScoreDayNightSunRain daysRain mm
JanuaryJan32°−7°3.8 h25245
FebruaryFeb53°−6°4.6 h21195
MarchMar178°−3°5.4 h20211
AprilApr6015°3°6.5 h16177
MayMay6922°9°6.9 h15188
JuneJun6224°14°5.6 h17233
JulyJul3728°19°5.4 h22305
AugustAug3229°20°6.6 h20237
SeptemberSep5725°15°5.0 h18248
OctoberOct6218°9°5.2 h16210
NovemberNov3412°1°4.6 h18196
DecemberDec35°−5°3.9 h23246

Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences

36.70° N, 137.86° E · 702 m · Asia/Tokyo

Sunshine
Sunshine

Sunshine hours in Hakuba

Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
1,930 hours
Sunniest month
May · 6.9 h a day
Least sunshine
Jan · 3.8 h a day
OctoberSunshine 5.2 hDaylight 11.3 hShare of daylight 46 %
SunshineDaylight

In October, the sun shines for about 5.2 of 11.3 hours of daylight in Hakuba, 46 % of the daylight hours.

Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.

Rain
Rain

Rain in Hakuba: rainy days and rainfall

A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
2,689 mm on 229 days
Wettest month
Jul · 305 mm
Driest month
Apr · 177 mm
OctoberRainy days 16Rainfall 210 mm

In October, Hakuba has about 16 rainy days with 210 mm of rain in total.

UV index
Sun protection

UV index in Hakuba

How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.

Clear-sky UV in October
5 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.

The sun is strongest in June (UV 11).

Minutes until sunburn in October

Very fair skin
about 25 min
Fair skin
about 35 min
Light brown skin
about 45 min
Olive skin
about 60 min

Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.

Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.

Wind & clouds
Wind & clouds

Wind and clouds in Hakuba

How breezy and how cloudy Hakuba is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.

Wind

Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.

Year average
11 km/h · light breeze or less
Windiest month
Dec · 13 km/h
Calmest month
Aug · 9 km/h
OctoberWind 10 km/hBeaufort 2

In October, the wind in Hakuba typically peaks at 10 km/h during the day: Beaufort 2, light breeze or less.

Clouds

Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.

Year average
68 % · mostly cloudy
Clearest month
Apr · 61 %
Cloudiest month
Jun · 75 %
OctoberCloud cover 63 %Sunshine 5.2 h

In October, cloud covers on average 63 % of the sky over Hakuba: variable cloud, with about 5.2 hours of sunshine a day.

Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.

Heat & humidity
Heat & humidity

Heat and humidity in Hakuba

How often the day gets hot in Hakuba (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.

Hot days a year
24 days
Hottest month
Aug · 29 °C
Hot months
none

Heat calendar

  • pleasant
  • some hot or muggy days
  • often muggy
  • often hot
  • hot and muggy
OctoberHot days (30 °C+) 0Daytime high 18 °C

In October, Hakuba has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 18 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.

Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year

Snow
Snow

Snow in Hakuba

When Hakuba is likely to be white: the chance of seeing snow during a week's stay, the days with fresh snow and how much falls. Tap a month to select it.

Snow days a year
75 days
Fresh snow a year
409 cm
Snowy months
Dec – Mar

Snow calendar

  • hardly any
  • possible
  • likely
  • very likely
OctoberDays with fresh snow 0Fresh snow 1 cmChance of snow 3 / 100

In October, it hardly ever snows in Hakuba.

Snow days bring at least 1 cm of fresh snow. Fresh snow comes from ERA5 snowfall (1996–2025) at the height of the place, not on the slopes above it; the snow chance also weighs whether the snow settles. An estimate from climate averages, not a snow report.

Planning a trip to Hakuba

Weather for your travel dates

Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.

Hakuba in the school holidays

How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.

Hakuba has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 68) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 3).

  • Easter holidays

    Mar – Apr

    47

    Fair

    • 13 °C by day
    • 6.2 h of sun a day
    • 17 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow

  • May half-term

    May – Jun

    68

    GoodBest holidays

    • 22 °C by day
    • 6.6 h of sun a day
    • 16 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

  • Summer holidays

    Jul – Aug

    34

    Poor

    • 29 °C by day
    • 6.2 h of sun a day
    • 21 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Storm season

  • October half-term

    Oct

    62

    Good

    • 18 °C by day
    • 5.2 h of sun a day
    • 16 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

    Keep in mind: Storm season

  • Christmas holidays

    Dec – Jan

    3

    Poor

    • 3 °C by day
    • 3.9 h of sun a day
    • 24 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Getting there

Flying from

Nonstop flight
about 11 h 50 min
Distance
9,400 km
Time zone
UTC+9
Jet lag
About 8 days (8 h east)

Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.

Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.

Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.

Good to know: Japan

Currency
Japanese Yen (JPY)
Language
Japanese
Sockets
Type A, B · 100 V
Traffic
Drives on the left
Dialling code
+81

UK plugs need a travel adapter

Only 100 V: chargers marked 100–240 V work, other devices need a voltage converter.

Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.

Storm season

Hakuba lies in an area that Pacific typhoons can reach. The typhoon season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.

  1. January
  2. February
  3. March
  4. April
  5. May
  6. June: Season
  7. July: Season
  8. August: Peak
  9. September: Peak
  10. October: Peak
  11. November: Season
  12. December

Official season dates of the regional warning centres (NOAA, JMA, IMD, Météo-France, BoM, Fiji Meteorological Service); not a forecast.

Compare & alternatives

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Hakuba compared

Put Hakuba side by side with another destination.

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Hakuba vs Nagano

In October the holiday weather in Hakuba and Nagano is about equally good (score 62 vs 59). During the day Nagano is 2 °C warmer than Hakuba.

Hakuba vs Nagano, in October
in OctoberHakubaNagano
Holiday weather score6259
Daytime high18°20°
Sunshine5 h5 h
Rainy days1617
Best timeApr – Jun, OctApr – Jun, Oct

Through the year

OctoberHakuba 18°Nagano 20°
HakubaNagano
Go to Nagano
Best places in the country
Ranking

Japan in October: the best places

In October, Hakuba ranks 19 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.

  1. Nagoya24°75
  2. 2Toyota24°75
  3. 3Gifu23°73
  4. 4Karuizawa18°68
  5. 5Takasaki22°68
  6. 6Maebashi22°68
  7. 7Sano22°68
  8. 8Kanazawa22°22°67
  9. 19HakubaThis page18°62
All destinations: Japan
Places nearby

Near Hakuba

Other destinations close by.

Places with a similar climate

Places with a climate like Hakuba

Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Hakuba's – good alternatives.

  1. 76 % similar62HirosakiJapan18°Best time: May – Jul, Sep – Oct
  2. 75 % similar65YamagataJapan18°Best time: May – Jun, Sep – Oct
  3. 71 % similar67MoriokaJapan18°Best time: May – Jun, Sep – Oct
  4. 71 % similar67AizuwakamatsuJapan20°Best time: Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct

Frequently asked questions about Hakuba

When is the best time to visit Hakuba?

The best time to visit Hakuba is from April to June and in October. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.

What is the warmest month in Hakuba?

August is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C and nights around 20 °C. January is the coolest month at 2 °C.

When does it rain most in Hakuba?

Rain is frequent from July to September and from November to March; the wettest month is July with 305 mm. The driest month is April with 177 mm.

How many hours of sunshine does Hakuba get?

Hakuba gets around 1,930 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 6.9 hours a day; in January there are 3.8 hours a day.

What time zone is Hakuba in?

Hakuba is on UTC+9 all year.

How long is the flight from London to Hakuba?

A nonstop flight from London to Hakuba takes about 11 h 50 min, for a straight-line distance of about 9,400 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.

When is typhoon season in Hakuba?

Hakuba lies in an area that Pacific typhoons can reach. The typhoon season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.

Which school holidays are best for Hakuba?

Hakuba has its best school-holiday weather during May half-term (score 68) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 3). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 47, May half-term 68, summer holidays 34, October half-term 62, Christmas holidays 3.