January–FebruaryChitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late January to late February (about 3–4 weeks)
2027: Jan 30 – Feb 23
Hokkaido Weather Guide
Sapporo Weather & What to Wear
Sapporo
Hokkaido's gateway and largest city. In winter, many days stay below freezing all day and around 1 m of snow builds up, but an extensive underground shopping network makes it easy to get around even on snowy days. Summer highs are around 25°C, much cooler than Honshu.
- January low
- −6.4℃
- August high
- 26.4℃
- Max snow depth
- 95cm
Forecast
Forecast: Today & the Next 7 Days
JMA forecast issued Oct 22, 11 AM
Every 3 Hours: Today & Tomorrow
- Today3 PMCloudy8°☂ 50%10–14m/s
- 6 PMCloudy8°☂ 10%6–9m/s
- 9 PMSunny8°☂ 10%3–5m/s
- Tomorrow12 AMCloudy8°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 3 AMCloudy7°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 6 AMSunny7°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 9 AMSunny12°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 12 PMSunny16°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 3 PMSunny16°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 6 PMSunny12°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 9 PMCloudy10°☂ 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.
- Today10/22(Thu)Rain, 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 Sapporo
Climate
Sapporo 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 | −0.4℃ | −6.4℃ | 108.4mm | 76cm | Full winter gearDown coat, thermal layers, gloves, hat, snow boots |
| Feb | 0.4℃ | −6.2℃ | 91.9mm | 95cm | Full winter gearDown coat, thermal layers, gloves, hat, snow boots |
| Mar | 4.5℃ | −2.4℃ | 77.6mm | 82cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Apr | 11.7℃ | 3.4℃ | 54.6mm | 22cm | Warm jacketLight down or winter coat, sweater |
| May | 17.9℃ | 9.0℃ | 55.5mm | — | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Jun | 21.8℃ | 13.4℃ | 60.4mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Jul | 25.4℃ | 17.9℃ | 90.7mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Aug | 26.4℃ | 19.1℃ | 126.8mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Sep | 22.8℃ | 14.8℃ | 142.2mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Oct | 16.4℃ | 8.0℃ | 109.9mm | 1cm | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Nov | 8.7℃ | 1.6℃ | 113.8mm | 15cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Dec | 2.0℃ | −4.0℃ | 114.5mm | 47cm | 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 SapporoPR
PR9.0すすきの グランベルホテル
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PR9.1ラ ジェント ステイ札幌大通 北海道
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PR9.2からくさホテル札幌
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Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Seasons
Sapporo Through the Seasons
🌸
Spring
Mar–MayCherry blossoms bloom from late April to early May, followed by lilacs across the city in late May.
☀️
Summer
Jun–AugA string of summer events, including the YOSAKOI Soran Festival and the beer gardens in Odori Park.
🍁
Autumn
Sep–NovIn September, Autumn Fest brings food from all over Hokkaido; in late October, the ginkgo avenue at Hokkaido University turns gold.
❄️
Winter
Dec–FebSnow Festival and the White Illumination. Ski resorts and Jozankei hot springs are close by.
Events
Events & festivals in Sapporo
January–February
FebruarySapporo Snow Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually early February (about one week)
2027 (77th): Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 11 (Thu, holiday), 8 days
MaySapporo Lilac Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)
JuneYOSAKOI Soran Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually Wednesday to Sunday (5 days) in early to mid-June
2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days
JuneHokkaido Jingu Festival (Sapporo Matsuri)
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually June 14–16 (14th: eve festival, 15th: main festival, 16th: mikoshi procession)
July–AugustSapporo Summer Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late July to mid-August (the beer gardens run for about 4 weeks; Hokkai Bon Odori is held during Obon, and the Susukino Festival for 3 days in early August)
September–OctoberSapporo Autumn Fest
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually early to late September, or into early October (about 3 weeks)
2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)
November–MarchSapporo White Illumination
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late November to mid-March of the following year (the Odori Site runs from late November to December 25)
2026: Opens Nov 20 (Odori Site until Dec 25; Ekimae-dori Site until Feb 11, 2027; Minami 1-jo-dori, Kita 3-jo Plaza, and Sapporo Station South Exit until Mar 14, 2027)
November–DecemberMunich Christmas Market in Sapporo
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late November to December 25 (about 1 month)
2026: Nov 20 (Fri) – Dec 25 (Fri)
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossoms in Sapporo
ParkWinter Scenery
Winter Scenery in Sapporo
Hot spring townJozankei Onsen Snow Scenery & Yukitoro
Hokkaido ・ Jozankei, Minami-ku, Sapporo
❄ Best season: Late Jan – Early Feb
✦ Illumination
Fireworks
Fireworks festivals in Sapporo
🎆 JulyDoshin UHB Fireworks Festival (Sapporo)
Hokkaido ・ Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
🎆 Late July (July 31 (Fri), 2026)
About 4,000 shells (planned for 2026, official)Paid seats
Onsen
Onsen towns in Sapporo
♨ OnsenJozankei Onsen
Hokkaido ・ Minami-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
♨ Day use Adults (junior high school and up) ¥1,300, children (age 3 to elementary school) ¥600, free for ages 0–2 (as of October 2026)
Private baths
Autumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves in Sapporo
Avenue & old town🍁 Typical peakHokkaido University Ginkgo Avenue
Hokkaido ・ Hokkaido University, Sapporo
🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Late Oct
Hot spring town🍁 Typical peak
Park🍁 Typical peakAttractions
Attractions in Sapporo
ZooSapporo Maruyama Zoo
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Maruyama
Opened in 1951, this is Hokkaido's oldest zoo and is run by the City of Sapporo. Set next to Maruyama Park, its grounds cover about 22 hectares and are home to around 140 species of animals.
AquariumAOAO SAPPORO
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Tanukikoji
An urban aquarium on the 4th to 6th floors of moyuk SAPPORO, a shopping complex facing the Tanukikoji shopping arcade. Built around the concept "The Wonder of Life: Seeing the Unseen," it serves as a gateway to nature in the middle of the city and stays open until 22:00.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
ExperienceShiroi Koibito Park
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
A confectionery theme park attached to the factory of Ishiya, the maker of Shiroi Koibito, a classic Hokkaido souvenir. It offers production line tours, sweets-making experiences, cafés, and shops, and the shops and rose garden can be used without an admission ticket. It's about a 5-minute walk from Miyanosawa Station on the Tozai subway line, making it easy to reach from central Sapporo.
ExperienceHOKKAIDO BALLPARK F VILLAGE
Hokkaido ・ Kitahiroshima
A ballpark centered on ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, home of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, open 365 days a year. On non-game days, you can enter the stadium's outfield area for free and enjoy stadium tours, hot springs, kids' facilities, and restaurants. It's about 17 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kitahiroshima Station on the JR Rapid Airport, then about 5 minutes by shuttle bus from the station.
Airport Access
Getting to Sapporo from the airport
Compare trains, buses and taxis from the airport by travel time and fare.
Travel Passes
Travel passes you can use in Sapporo
🚄 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
Getting Around
Getting to and from Sapporo
Sapporo → Hakodate
Fastest: Approx. 3 hr 30 min–4 hr (timetable revised March 2026)
🚆 Limited express✈ Flight🚌 Highway bus
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Sapporo 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 Sapporo station; actual weather varies from year to year.
