Sapporo→
Station: SapporoSapporo
High
0.4℃
Low
−6.2℃
- Precip.
- 91.9mm
- Max snow depth
- 95cm
- Sunset
- 17:04
Snow Festival season. Sidewalks are packed snow and ice — very slippery
Hokkaido Weather Guide
Hokkaido Weather in February: What to Wear & Expect
February is, along with January, the coldest month in Hokkaido, and snow on the ground is at its deepest. Even in Sapporo, daytime highs are around 0°C and mornings and evenings drop to -6°C. But this is also the best season for Hokkaido's winter highlights: the Snow Festival, drift ice and powder snow.
- Sapporo high
- 0.4℃
- Sapporo low
- −6.2℃
- Sapporo snow depth
- 95cm
- Sapporo sunset
- 17:04
Overview
Hokkaido in February: Key Points
- ✓Sapporo's high is around 0°C; days below freezing all day are common
- ✓Inland areas (Asahikawa, Furano, Obihiro) drop to -12 to -14°C in the morning
- ✓Snow depth around Niseko nears 2 m — peak ski season
- ✓Eastern Hokkaido (Obihiro, Kushiro) is mostly sunny with less snow
By Area
February Weather by Area
Temperature, precipitation, snow and sunshine are climate normals (1991-2020). Sunset is for February 15.
Otaru→
Station: OtaruOtaru, Shakotan
High
0.2℃
Low
−5.7℃
- Precip.
- 106.6mm
- Max snow depth
- 117cm
- Sunset
- 17:05
More snow than Sapporo. The canal glows with candles during the Snow Light Path
Niseko→
Station: KutchanNiseko, Kutchan, Rusutsu
High
−1.0℃
Low
−9.4℃
- Precip.
- 129.4mm
- Max snow depth
- 181cm
- Sunset
- 17:07
Snow depth nearly 2 m. The best season for powder snow
Asahikawa & Biei→
Station: AsahikawaAsahikawa, Biei, Mt. Asahidake, Sounkyo
High
−1.7℃
Low
−11.8℃
- Precip.
- 54.7mm
- Max snow depth
- 84cm
- Sunset
- 16:59
Mornings drop to around -12°C. Asahiyama Zoo is open for winter
Furano→
Station: FuranoFurano, Tomamu
High
−2.3℃
Low
−14.0℃
- Precip.
- 36.5mm
- Max snow depth
- 73cm
- Sunset
- 16:59
One of the coldest spots in Hokkaido, around -14°C in the morning. Dry, light snow
Hakodate→
Station: HakodateHakodate, Onuma
High
1.8℃
Low
−5.7℃
- Precip.
- 64.5mm
- Max snow depth
- 41cm
- Sunset
- 17:08
Relatively warm with less snow. Clear air makes the night view sparkle
Noboribetsu & Lake Toya→
Station: MuroranNoboribetsu, Lake Toya, Muroran, Shiraoi
High
1.0℃
Low
−4.0℃
- Precip.
- 44.3mm
- Max snow depth
- 22cm
- Sunset
- 17:07
Little snow and one of Hokkaido's mildest winters. Great for hot spring hopping
Obihiro & Tokachi→
Station: ObihiroObihiro, Tokachigawa Onsen
High
−0.2℃
Low
−12.0℃
- Precip.
- 28.8mm
- Max snow depth
- 63cm
- Sunset
- 16:57
Mostly sunny, but mornings drop to around -12°C
Kushiro & Akan→
Station: KushiroKushiro, Kushiro Wetland, Lake Akan
High
−0.1℃
Low
−9.4℃
- Precip.
- 24.8mm
- Max snow depth
- 26cm
- Sunset
- 16:52
Mostly sunny with little snow. Red-crowned crane season
Abashiri & Shiretoko→
Station: AbashiriAbashiri, Shiretoko, Utoro
High
−2.0℃
Low
−9.6℃
- Precip.
- 41.9mm
- Max snow depth
- 58cm
- Sunset
- 16:51
Drift ice season. The Sea of Okhotsk is covered in white ice
Wakkanai & Rishiri→
Station: WakkanaiWakkanai, Rishiri Island, Rebun Island
High
−2.0℃
Low
−6.7℃
- Precip.
- 60.6mm
- Max snow depth
- 64cm
- Sunset
- 16:59
Strong winds make it feel colder than the temperature. Few sunny breaks
What to Wear
What to Wear in Hokkaido in February
Base layer
Heat-generating or thick thermal underwear — top and bottom recommended
Tops
Sweater or fleece, layered so you can take it off indoors
Outerwear
Long, hooded down coat
Bottoms
Fleece-lined pants; add tights underneath for extra warmth
Shoes
Waterproof snow boots with deep-treaded soles
Accessories
Gloves, knit hat, scarf and disposable heat packs (kairo)
If you plan to ski or snowboard, you'll need separate waterproof ski wear. Rentals are available locally.
Good to Know
Good to Know
Sidewalks are icy and very slippery
City sidewalks are covered in packed snow and ice and can feel like a skating rink. Slip-on shoe spikes (sold at konbini/convenience stores and drugstores) help a lot. Take small steps and land with your whole foot.
Indoors is well heated
Hotels, restaurants and underground malls can be over 20°C. You'll sweat in heavy clothes, so wear layers that are easy to take off.
Days are short
In mid-February, the sun sets around 5 pm in Sapporo and in the 4 pm hour in Kushiro to the east. Plan to finish sightseeing and travel while it's still light.
Heavy snow and blizzards can stop transport
Blizzards can cause JR train suspensions and flight cancellations at New Chitose Airport. Build slack into travel days — for example, stay near the airport the night before your flight home.
Driving on snow is risky if you're not used to it
Icy roads and poor visibility in blizzards make driving risky for anyone without snow-driving experience. JR trains, buses and tours are the safer choice.
Hotels fill up fast during the Snow Festival
During the Snow Festival, hotel prices in Sapporo go up and rooms sell out quickly. Book early.
In case heavy snow grounds your flightPR
Events
February Events & Highlights
Hokkaido's biggest winter event, with giant snow sculptures lining Odori Park. The ice sculptures at the Susukino site are also a highlight.
Read the guide：Sapporo Snow Festival →Tours & tickets for this eventPR
Otaru Canal and the town are lit by snow candles. Best from dusk.
Read the guide：Otaru Snow Light Path →A winter festival with a giant snow-sculpture stage, snow slides and more.
Read the guide：Asahikawa Winter Festival →Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Chitose (near New Chitose Airport)Usually late January to late FebruaryBlue ice sculptures made from Lake Shikotsu's water. The evening illuminations are magical.
Read the guide：Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival →Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival
Sounkyo (about 1.5 hours by car from Asahikawa)Usually late January to early MarchA winter event in the hot spring town, with ice tunnels and domes.
Read the guide：Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival →Sea of Okhotsk Drift Ice
Abashiri & ShiretokoUsually best from February to early MarchSee drift ice up close on the icebreaker sightseeing cruise from Abashiri or a drift ice walk in Utoro, Shiretoko. Whether the ice arrives depends on each year's weather.
One of Japan's oldest illumination events, which began in Odori Park in 1981 with about 1,000 light bulbs. Light sculptures brighten central Sapporo in winter; the main Odori Site stays lit until December 25, while sites such as Ekimae-dori and Minami 1-jo-dori stay lit until February–March of the following year. 2026 marks its 46th edition.
Read the guide：Sapporo White Illumination →A signature winter event at Asahiyama Zoo, where king penguins and others waddle in a line along the snow-covered paths. It helps the penguins get exercise in winter and is inspired by the habit of wild king penguins heading to the sea in groups. It takes place only when there is snow on the ground.
Read the guide：Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk →Dates change every year. Please check the official websites before you go.
FAQ
FAQ
Q. What's the temperature in Sapporo in February?＋
On average, the high is 0.4°C and the low is -6.2°C. It stays around freezing even during the day, so snow doesn't melt and keeps piling up.
Q. Where is the coldest place in Hokkaido in February?＋
Among these 11 areas, inland spots get especially cold: Furano (low -14.0°C), Obihiro (-12.0°C) and Asahikawa (-11.8°C).
Q. Where in Hokkaido has less snow in February?＋
Hakodate, Noboribetsu & Lake Toya (Muroran) and Kushiro have less snow on the ground. Kushiro and Obihiro also get lots of sunny days.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Hokkaido TripPR
Other Months
Hokkaido Weather in Other Months
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (climate normals 1991-2020). Compiled by tripuuu.log. Temperatures are from a representative station in each area; actual weather varies from year to year.
