January–MarchSounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival
Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei
Usually late January to early March (about 6 weeks)
Hokkaido Weather Guide
Asahikawa & Biei Weather & What to Wear
Asahikawa, Biei, Mt. Asahidake, Sounkyo
Hokkaido's second-largest city and a base for exploring northern Hokkaido. Being in a basin, it has big temperature swings: winter mornings drop to around -12°C, and in 1902 it recorded Japan's lowest-ever temperature of -41.0°C. It's convenient for Asahiyama Zoo, Biei's hills and Blue Pond, and Mt. Asahidake in the Daisetsuzan mountains.
- January low
- −11.7℃
- August high
- 26.6℃
- Max snow depth
- 84cm
Forecast
Forecast: Today & the Next 7 Days
JMA forecast issued Oct 22, 11 AM
Every 3 Hours: Today & Tomorrow
- Today12 PMCloudy5°☂ 50%10–14m/s
- 3 PMRain or snow7°☂ 50%10–14m/s
- 6 PMCloudy7°☂ 10%6–9m/s
- 9 PMCloudy5°☂ 10%6–9m/s
- Tomorrow12 AMCloudy5°☂ 0%6–9m/s
- 3 AMCloudy4°☂ 0%6–9m/s
- 6 AMSunny5°☂ 0%6–9m/s
- 9 AMSunny8°☂ 0%6–9m/s
- 12 PMSunny13°☂ 0%6–9m/s
- 3 PMSunny14°☂ 0%6–9m/s
- 6 PMSunny10°☂ 0%6–9m/s
- 9 PMCloudy8°☂ 0%6–9m/s
Weather and wind are for the wider area; temperature is for the main forecast point. Chance of rain is for the 6-hour period.
- Today10/22(Thu)Rain or snow, then cloudy8°/3°Observed: 3°☂ 50%
- Tomorrow10/23(Fri)Sunny, cloudy at times15°/3°☂ 0%
- 10/24(Sat)Cloudy, sunny at times18°/4°☂ 20%
- 10/25(Sun)Cloudy, sunny at times18°/5°☂ 20%Reliability A
- 10/26(Mon)Cloudy13°/2°☂ 30%Reliability B
- 10/27(Tue)Cloudy, brief rain9°/1°☂ 50%Reliability C
- 10/28(Wed)Cloudy, brief rain or snow7°/1°☂ 50%Reliability C
- ☂ Chance of rain
- From day 3, the weekly forecast covers a wider prefecture-level area.
- Reliability of the weekly forecast (A: high, B: fairly high, C: fairly low)
- "Observed" is the temperature measured so far today by JMA weather stations (AMeDAS), not a forecast.
- Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (weather forecast)
Best Season
Best Time to Visit Asahikawa & Biei
Climate
Asahikawa & Biei Temperature & Snow Through the Year
Monthly high / low temperature (°C)
HighLow
Monthly max snow depth (cm)
Month by Month
Month-by-Month Weather & What to Wear
| Month | High | Low | Precip. | Max snow depth | What to wear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | −3.3℃ | −11.7℃ | 66.9mm | 72cm | Full winter gearDown coat, thermal layers, gloves, hat, snow boots |
| Feb | −1.7℃ | −11.8℃ | 54.7mm | 84cm | Full winter gearDown coat, thermal layers, gloves, hat, snow boots |
| Mar | 3.0℃ | −6.1℃ | 55mm | 82cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Apr | 11.2℃ | 0.2℃ | 48.5mm | 33cm | Warm jacketLight down or winter coat, sweater |
| May | 18.8℃ | 6.1℃ | 66.6mm | — | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Jun | 22.8℃ | 12.0℃ | 71.4mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Jul | 26.2℃ | 16.4℃ | 129.5mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Aug | 26.6℃ | 16.9℃ | 152.9mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Sep | 21.9℃ | 11.7℃ | 136.3mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Oct | 14.9℃ | 4.4℃ | 105.8mm | 2cm | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Nov | 6.2℃ | −1.5℃ | 114.5mm | 27cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Dec | −0.8℃ | −8.0℃ | 102.4mm | 58cm | Full winter gearDown coat, thermal layers, gloves, hat, snow boots |
Clothing tips are based on the normal high temperature and snow depth. Bring an extra layer for mornings and evenings.
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Asahikawa & BieiPR
PR9.3JRイン旭川
★★★★Check rates on Agoda13,948 reviews1.1 km from center
PR9.0ホテル アマネク 旭川
★★★★Check rates on Agoda8,917 reviews1.0 km from center
PR8.5KOKO HOTEL 旭川駅前
★★★Check rates on Agoda7,942 reviews1.1 km from center
PR9.0Y's HOTEL 旭川駅前
★★★Check rates on Agoda4,631 reviews0.8 km from center
PR8.8ホテルルートインGrand旭川駅前
★★★★Check rates on Agoda4,598 reviews1.0 km from center
PR8.4コート ホテル 旭川
★★★★Check rates on Agoda5,399 reviews0.9 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Seasons
Asahikawa & Biei Through the Seasons
🌸
Spring
Mar–MayApril is snowmelt season. Asahiyama Zoo closes for a while as it switches from winter to summer hours.
☀️
Summer
Jun–AugHighs around 26°C, warm by Hokkaido standards. Perfect for Asahiyama Zoo and touring Biei's hills.
🍁
Autumn
Sep–NovThe autumn colors that start on Mt. Asahidake reach Sounkyo by early October.
❄️
Winter
Dec–FebHighlights include the penguin walk at Asahiyama Zoo and the illuminated Shirogane Blue Pond in Biei.
Events
Events & festivals in Asahikawa & Biei
January–March
FebruaryAsahikawa Winter Festival
Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei
Usually about 6 days in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)
2027 (68th): Feb 6 – Feb 11
December–MarchAsahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk
Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei
Usually held daily from mid- to late December (once there is enough snow) until around mid-March
Winter Scenery
Winter Scenery in Asahikawa & Biei
LakeShirogane Blue Pond & Shirahige Falls (Winter Illumination)
Hokkaido ・ Shirogane, Biei
❄ Best season: Mid Dec – Late Mar
✦ IlluminationNow on
Onsen
Onsen towns in Asahikawa & Biei
♨ OnsenSounkyo Onsen
Hokkaido ・ Kamikawa, Hokkaido
♨ Day use Adults ¥800, children ¥400 (as of October 2026)
Private baths
Autumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves in Asahikawa & Biei
Mountain & highland
GorgeAttractions
Attractions in Asahikawa & Biei
ZooAsahikawa City Asahiyama Zoo
Hokkaido ・ Asahikawa & Biei
Run by the City of Asahikawa, this zoo is famous for its “behavioral exhibits,” which let animals show off their natural movements and abilities. It opens in separate summer and winter seasons, with closure periods in spring and autumn.
Travel Passes
Travel passes you can use in Asahikawa & Biei
🚄 JR
🚄 JR
🚄 JRJapan Rail Pass
Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed
From ¥50,000
Getting Around
Getting to and from Asahikawa & Biei
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Asahikawa & Biei TripPR
Other Areas
Weather in Other Areas
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (climate normals 1991-2020). Compiled by tripuuu.log. Temperature and snow figures are normals from the Asahikawa station; actual weather varies from year to year.
