FebruaryOtaru Snow Light Path
Hokkaido ・ Otaru
Usually about one week in early to mid-February (around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival)
2027: Feb 6 – Feb 13
Hokkaido Weather Guide
Otaru Weather & What to Wear
Otaru, Shakotan
A port town lined with a canal and retro stone warehouses, about 40 minutes from Sapporo by JR train. It gets more snow than Sapporo, and the snowy canal in winter is spectacular. In summer, the nearby Shakotan Peninsula has strikingly clear blue sea.
- January low
- −5.8℃
- August high
- 25.6℃
- Max snow depth
- 117cm
Forecast
Forecast: Today & the Next 7 Days
JMA forecast issued Oct 22, 11 AM
Every 3 Hours: Today & Tomorrow
- Today12 PMRain or snow☂ 50%10–14m/s
- 3 PMCloudy☂ 50%6–9m/s
- 6 PMCloudy☂ 10%3–5m/s
- 9 PMCloudy☂ 10%3–5m/s
- Tomorrow12 AMCloudy☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 3 AMCloudy☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 6 AMSunny☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 9 AMSunny☂ 0%6–9m/s
- 12 PMSunny☂ 0%6–9m/s
- 3 PMSunny☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 6 PMSunny☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 9 PMCloudy☂ 0%3–5m/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. There is no 3-hourly temperature forecast for this area, so temperatures are not shown.
- Today10/22(Thu)Rain or snow, then cloudy10°/4°Observed: 4°☂ 50%
- Tomorrow10/23(Fri)Sunny, cloudy at times18°/6°☂ 0%
- 10/24(Sat)Cloudy, sunny at times20°/7°☂ 10%
- 10/25(Sun)Cloudy, sunny at times19°/9°☂ 20%Reliability A
- 10/26(Mon)Cloudy14°/6°☂ 30%Reliability B
- 10/27(Tue)Cloudy, brief rain11°/5°☂ 50%Reliability C
- 10/28(Wed)Cloudy, brief rain or snow9°/3°☂ 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 Otaru
Climate
Otaru 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 | −0.5℃ | −5.8℃ | 138.1mm | 92cm | Full winter gearDown coat, thermal layers, gloves, hat, snow boots |
| Feb | 0.2℃ | −5.7℃ | 106.6mm | 117cm | Full winter gearDown coat, thermal layers, gloves, hat, snow boots |
| Mar | 4.1℃ | −2.4℃ | 87.3mm | 106cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Apr | 10.9℃ | 2.6℃ | 56.4mm | 42cm | Warm jacketLight down or winter coat, sweater |
| May | 16.9℃ | 7.9℃ | 53.7mm | — | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Jun | 20.4℃ | 12.5℃ | 55.6mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Jul | 24.2℃ | 17.1℃ | 93.6mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Aug | 25.6℃ | 18.4℃ | 131.3mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Sep | 22.3℃ | 14.3℃ | 131.7mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Oct | 15.9℃ | 7.9℃ | 123mm | — | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Nov | 8.3℃ | 1.6℃ | 152.4mm | 15cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Dec | 1.6℃ | −3.8℃ | 151.9mm | 54cm | 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 OtaruPR
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Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Seasons
Otaru Through the Seasons
🌸
Spring
Mar–MayFrom late April, as the snow melts, it gets easier to explore this hilly town.
☀️
Summer
Jun–AugHighs around 25°C. Canal cruises and drives to the Shakotan Peninsula are popular.
🍁
Autumn
Sep–NovClear air makes the night view from Mt. Tengu especially sharp. A great time for sushi and seafood.
❄️
Winter
Dec–FebSnow can pile up over 1 m. With so many slopes, non-slip shoes are a must.
Events
Events & festivals in Otaru
February
JulyOtaru Ushio Festival
Hokkaido ・ Otaru
Usually Friday to Sunday in late July (3 days, with a grand fireworks display on the final night)
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossoms in Otaru
ParkWinter Scenery
Winter Scenery in Otaru
Old townAttractions
Attractions in Otaru
AquariumOtaru Aquarium
Hokkaido ・ Otaru / Shukutsu
Located on the coast at Shukutsu in Otaru, this aquarium consists of an indoor main building and the outdoor "Marine Mammal Park," built by partitioning off part of the Sea of Japan. It operates with different dates and hours in winter, and closes from late November to early December and from late February to mid-March.
Airport Access
Getting to Otaru from the airport
Compare trains, buses and taxis from the airport by travel time and fare.
Travel Passes
Travel passes you can use in Otaru
🚄 JR
🚄 JR
🚄 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
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Otaru 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 Otaru station; actual weather varies from year to year.
