Hokkaido has two best seasons. From June to September it is the most comfortable place in Japan: Sapporo highs of 22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F), no rainy season, almost no tropical nights, lavender in July and the first autumn colours in September. From January to February it is the snow destination: highs below freezing, snow on 84 to 88% of days, world-class powder at Niseko and Furano and the Sapporo Snow Festival in the first week of February.
The months to avoid are the shoulder ones: late March to April (melting snow, brown landscapes, sleet) and November (grey, first snow, nothing yet open). Below is what 58 years of Japan Meteorological Agency records at the Sapporo station say about each month, plus timing for lavender, leaves, drift ice and skiing.
- Best months for weather: June, July and September (our comfort score); avoid: Late March to April (melt) and November (grey shoulder season)
- Hottest: August (high 26.4°C (80°F)); coldest: January (low -6.4°C (20°F))
- Wettest: January (rain on 57% of days); sunniest: October (51% of days)
- Data: Sapporo station, 1991 to 2020 normals and 58 years of daily records
Check the odds for your dates in Sapporo (58 years of records)
Pick the dates of your trip and the tool counts what happened on those days every year since 1968: sunny, rainy, hot, snowy, and the actual weather of the last dozen years.
Hokkaido weather month by month
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunny days | 30°C+ days | Snow days | Sunshine | What is happening |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -0 / -6°C 31°F / 20°F | 57% | 34% | 0% | 88% | 90h | Coldest; Snow Festival prep; peak powder |
| February | 0 / -6°C 33°F / 21°F | 55% | 38% | 0% | 84% | 104h | Sapporo Snow Festival; snowiest month |
| March | 4 / -2°C 40°F / 28°F | 44% | 44% | 0% | 65% | 145h | Still winter; snow on 65% of days; melt begins late |
| April | 12 / 3°C 53°F / 38°F | 30% | 45% | 0% | 14% | 176h | Melt; brown and muddy; blossoms at the very end |
| May | 18 / 9°C 64°F / 48°F | 28% | 46% | 0% | 0% | 200h | Cherry blossoms first week; lilacs; 18°C |
| June | 22 / 13°C 71°F / 56°F | 25% | 43% | 2% | 0% | 180h | Best value month; no rainy season; 22°C |
| July | 25 / 18°C 78°F / 64°F | 24% | 40% | 12% | 0% | 168h | Lavender; 25°C; comfortable nights |
| August | 26 / 19°C 80°F / 66°F | 30% | 42% | 16% | 0% | 168h | Warmest; 26°C; Obon crowds |
| September | 23 / 15°C 73°F / 59°F | 33% | 50% | 1% | 0% | 159h | Crisp; leaves start in Daisetsuzan |
| October | 16 / 8°C 62°F / 46°F | 39% | 51% | 0% | 2% | 146h | Leaves peak; first frost late month |
| November | 9 / 2°C 48°F / 35°F | 46% | 37% | 0% | 36% | 99h | Grey; first snow around 1 November |
| December | 2 / -4°C 36°F / 25°F | 50% | 35% | 0% | 77% | 83h | Full winter; ski resorts open; illuminations |
Our comfort score (highs near 22 to 26°C, few rainy days, many sunny days, no extreme heat) ranks the months in this order for Hokkaido: June, July, September, August, May, October (then April, November, March, December, February, January). It ignores prices, crowds and events, which the sections below add back in.
Best time to visit Hokkaido by what you want to do
For summer escape and driving: June to August
Sapporo averages 21.8°C in June, 25.4°C in July and 26.4°C in August with nights around 13 to 19°C; 30°C days happen on 12 to 16% of July and August days, tropical nights essentially never. There is no rainy season, so June has sunny days on 43% of days while Tokyo has 27%. Furano lavender peaks in mid to late July; the Biei hills and the Shiretoko coast are best in July and August.
For skiing and snow: January to February
January is the coldest month (high minus 0.4°C, low minus 6.4°C) and February the snowiest for the festival. Niseko, Furano, Rusutsu and Kiroro are at peak powder from mid December to early March. The drift ice arrives at Abashiri in late January. Pavements in Sapporo are packed ice; footwear with grip is essential.
For autumn colours: mid September to mid October
Daisetsuzan (Asahidake, Kurodake) turns in mid to late September, the earliest leaves in Japan; Sapporo’s parks and Jozankei peak in mid to late October at highs of 16°C. Rain days are 33 to 39%, similar to summer, and the first frost arrives in late October.
For low prices: May, late September and early December
May is cool (18°C) and bright with late cherry blossoms and lilacs and few tourists; late September is quiet after the school holidays; early December has the ski season opening at low rates before the Christmas peak.
What to pack for Hokkaido, month by month
| Month | Feels like | What to wear | Rain gear | Sun protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Freezing | a down coat, hat, gloves, thermal layers and shoes with grip for icy pavements | umbrella essential | low |
| February | Freezing | a down coat, hat, gloves, thermal layers and shoes with grip for icy pavements | umbrella essential | low |
| March | Freezing | a down coat, hat, gloves, thermal layers and shoes with grip for icy pavements | umbrella essential | low |
| April | Chilly | a coat and sweater, scarf on windy days | folding umbrella | low |
| May | Cool | a jacket or light coat, a sweater for mornings and evenings | folding umbrella | moderate |
| June | Mild | long sleeves or a T-shirt with a light jacket; evenings need the jacket | folding umbrella | high |
| July | Early summer | short sleeves by day, a light long sleeve for evenings | folding umbrella | moderate |
| August | Early summer | short sleeves by day, a light long sleeve for evenings | folding umbrella | moderate |
| September | Mild | long sleeves or a T-shirt with a light jacket; evenings need the jacket | folding umbrella | moderate |
| October | Cool | a jacket or light coat, a sweater for mornings and evenings | umbrella essential | moderate |
| November | Cold | a winter coat or down jacket, scarf and gloves; indoor heating is strong so layer up | umbrella essential | low |
| December | Freezing | a down coat, hat, gloves, thermal layers and shoes with grip for icy pavements | umbrella essential | low |
Compare Sapporo with other Japanese cities
Use the tool to put Sapporo next to any other city for all twelve months.
Months to avoid in Hokkaido, and why
Late March to April (melt) and November (grey shoulder season); Golden Week and Obon for crowds.
Hokkaido runs a month behind Honshu in spring and a month ahead in autumn. If you are combining it with Tokyo, June and September are the months where both are at their best at the same time.
Frequently asked questions about Hokkaido weather
Is Hokkaido cool in summer?
Yes. Sapporo averages 25.4°C in July and 26.4°C in August, with nights of 18 to 19°C and almost no tropical nights. It is 5 to 7°C cooler than Tokyo and Osaka, with lower humidity.
When is the Sapporo Snow Festival?
The first week of February for about a week. Expect highs near 0°C, lows near minus 7°C and snow on most days. Book hotels months ahead.
Does Hokkaido have a rainy season?
No. The rainy-season front rarely reaches Hokkaido, so June is sunny and dry there while the rest of Japan is under cloud. Late summer (August to September) is the wettest period.
When is lavender season in Furano?
Late June to early August, peaking in mid to late July. Sapporo highs are 25°C then; Furano is inland and a little warmer by day.
- June to September for green, January to February for snow
- Avoid: Late March to April (melt) and November (grey shoulder season)
- Hottest August (26.4°C (80°F)), coldest January (-6.4°C (20°F)), wettest January (57% of days)
- Check your own dates with the 58-year tool above
Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency climatological normals (1991 to 2020) for temperatures, precipitation and sunshine; JMA daily observations 1968 to 2025 (58 years) compiled by this site for the share of sunny, rainy, snowy, hot and cold days. Written by a certified Japanese weather forecaster (気象予報士). Percentages are the share of days in the month; a 30 percent rain-day figure means roughly 9 days a month.