Autumn (October–November) is the most beautiful season in Hakone, when the maple trees around the lake and on the mountain slopes turn red and gold. Spring cherry blossoms are spectacular around the lake in late March and April. Both periods are very popular and accommodation books out weeks or months in advance.
Summer is warm and often misty — Mount Fuji is frequently cloud-covered from June through August, and the rainy season in June can be grey. Winter brings cold, clear days that offer the best Fuji views; the mountain is snow-capped and dramatic. Midweek visits at any time of year are significantly quieter than weekends. The ropeway closes periodically when wind or volcanic gas levels at Owakudani are high — check before visiting.