What is the weather like in Sapporo? If you have read some articles based on “The best time to visit Hokkaido” you might have gotten some ideas already.
However, in this post I will explain everything you need to know about the weather in Sapporo city, which would help you to decide what to expect and what to wear when you arrive there.
Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido in the north of Japan is a year-round destination, with weather that has something for everyone. Like many other cities in Japan, it has also four beautiful seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each of these seasons bring a lot of things to do and see.
Now, let’s find out information on temperature, rainfall, snowfall and seasonal activities to help plan your holiday in Sapporo. Read this guide thoroughly to find out the best time to visit Sapporo.
Weather in Sapporo in Spring (April – May)
Sapporo’s spring months are April to May when average temperatures range from 6.7 – 12°C. In April, snow still remains in the surrounding mountains. In this time of the year, temperatures increase and fresh green leaves appear on the trees and bushes.
Often you may encounter cold breeze though there you will not see any snow on the grounds. Please note light raining is not surprising in May. Based on the weather forecast, carry an umbrella for a safe trip.
Mid-April is when Sapporo’s spring season begins. The weather is quite chilly. The mornings and evenings are still cold enough to make you feel like winter has not gone yet and spring is around the corner.
In Sapporo, cherry blossoms start to bloom around late April – early May. Sakura can be experienced here until mid May with lots of colorful tulips to see around the city.
City’s most favorite park, Odori Koen is a great place to take a stroll, where you can see many flowers of different kinds including beautiful lilacs in mid-May.
Visit Takino Suzuran Hillside Park and stare at the colorful tulip fields. There are also other kinds of flowers that you can’t miss viewing.
Maruyama Park, Nakajima Park, and Hiraoka are my favorite parks to see cherry blossom and plum blossom in the city. Every spring, I have to go to these places by my bicycle and enjoy spring nature.
What to wear in Sapporo in spring? For men and women, you can bring light coat, fleece, jeans, thermal shirt, insulted shoes, sneakers, hats, muffler and gloves.
Sometimes, temperature may rise during the day; in that case you can wear a t-shirt, especially while taking a walk out on the street.
Weather in Sapporo in Summer (June – August)
In summer, days are warmer in Sapporo but the humidity is not as high as summer that you experience in Tokyo. Average daily temperatures range from 16.3 – 22°C. In this time of the year, city’s parks are green and blooming.
Days are long and nights in this season are the shortest. Appealing outdoor scenery and comfortable warm weather offer plenty of things to experience in the city.
It’s a pleasant weather where you don’t need to wear any kind of jacket at all. You can wear short sleeves and shorts during the day time as the season offers mild temperatures and sunny weather. At night you can wear long sleeve shirt to get rid of the chilly wind.
Sapporo’s summer weather hardly sees a typical Japanese rainy season. In the city, perhaps, this is the right and best season to enjoy biking around the city’s neighborhoods. With less traffic, streets in Sapporo are wider than Tokyo and it’s always great to explore the city by a bicycle.
Toyohira River Fireworks, Hokkaido Jingu Matsuri and Yosakoi Soran Festival are considered the top summer festivals in Sapporo city.
Besides, Sapporo Summer Festival is held at Odori Park, where you can taste varieties of local dishes and drinks and experience traditional events.
Hokkaido is very famous for its summer flower fields, especially for Furano’s lavender gardens. In Sapporo, you can visit Horomitoge Lavender Garden, a perfect place to view lavender in the city.
It’s highly recommended for visitors who are on tight schedule and can’t visit Furano. The closest station is Maruyama Koen Station. From the station, you can get a taxi and reach the garden comfortably.
Weather in Sapporo in Autumn (September – November)
Warmer months are gone!
During autumn, average temperatures sit between 4.6°C and 13°C. This is the time of year when days start to begin shorter and the temperatures start to drop.
Fresh air makes autumn the season for enjoying Sapporo’s gorgeous fall colors spots. Read this article to see where to view autumn foliage in Sapporo and how to access to them.
Just like spring season in Sapporo, bring similar kinds of clothes so that you can prevent yourself from cold weather.
Sapporo could boast of some of Hokkaido’s top autumn leaves viewing spots, such as Jozankei, Maruyama Park and Odori Park.
Most of the visitors head to Jozankei during the peak autumn month (Early-October through Late-October), that is when you can expect to see gorgeous fall colors.
Jozankei is a hot spring resort (onsen) town in Sapporo. Considering this, you may spend an overnight in one of its best hotels and enjoy the beautiful surroundings ablaze with foliage.
If you plan to hike in autumn in Sapporo, I would highly recommend you Mount Moiwa. It’s a top-notch hiking spot and enough to fulfill your autumn hiking dream in Sapporo.
I absolutely love visiting Odori Park in autumn not only because I can see fall foliage there but also to enjoy all the delicious Hokkaido cuisines through Sapporo Autumn Fest, a biggest food festival in Japan.
Weather in Sapporo in Winter (December – March)
Winter here is cold and snowy, with an average snowfall of 597 cm. Average temperatures drop between -4.1°C and -1°C and snow fall occurs on a daily basis. January and February are often the coldest months.
Winter (typically early-December through late-March) is one of Sapporo’s most beautiful times of year to explore the city. February is when you will see high-season rates at hotels and resorts.
What to wear in Sapporo in winter? If you have been to a place where you have experienced heavy or light snowfall then you know what to bring here to stay away from the cold.
It is recommended to wear overcoats, jackets, winter coats, sweaters, fleece, scarfs, snow pants, thermal shirt, muffler, gloves, and mask to keep warm.
The roads get slippery with ice, so insulated shoes and boots with spikes or sturdy grips on the soles is also recommended.
Often many people say that December is not an ideal time to visit Sapporo, which I disagree with. If you are on a budget but want to see snowy landscape and enjoy foods and onsen, December is still a great time to visit.
You can also explore central Hokkaido’s outstanding snowy landscapes by day bus tours right from Sapporo Bus Station.
You can see winter illuminations with glittering lights from mid-November through mid March in different areas in Sapporo. This winter event is known as Sapporo White Illumination.
The city hosts one of Japan’s most iconic snow festivals called Sapporo Yuki Matsuri (Sapporo Snow Festival), held in early February at Orodi Park every year.
Hokkaido is a ski paradise in Japan. It’s not daunting finding some ski areas in Sapporo, where you can hit slopes and enjoy winter sports including skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. This article shares the best places to ski in Sapporo.
Lastly, Sapporo is one of the snowiest cities in the world alongside other Japanese cities, such as Aomori and Toyama.
In Conclusion
Now you have a clear idea what to expect to see and experience when you plan on visiting Sapporo.
Sapporo is considered one of the safest places to travel and live in Japan. It’s worth exploring the city any time of year and whether you believe me or not there is always something to surprise you.
Thank you.
