Best time to visit · Sapporo · Japan
The best time to visit Sapporo
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Visit Sapporo in February for the Snow Festival and powder skiing, or from June to September for cool, dry summers, flowers and beer gardens. Early February is the busiest and most expensive time, so book well ahead. Late March–April and November are slushy in-between months but quiet and cheaper.
Key facts
- Best months
- February and June–September
- Shoulder season
- May, October and December–January
- Warmest month
- August (avg high 26°C (79°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high -1°C (30°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~18 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- March–April and November
Seasons
Sapporo has a humid continental climate with long, snowy winters (around 5 m of snowfall in a season) and short, warm summers without the heavy humidity of Tokyo. June is typically drier than on Honshu, and the city has no distinct rainy season.
March–May
Spring
Slow thaw and slush in March and April, then cherry blossom in early May and lilacs late in the month.
June–August
Summer
Warm, sunny days in the mid-20s °C, without the rainy season or heavy humidity of Honshu; beer gardens and festivals.
September–November
Autumn
Food festivals in September, foliage at Jozankei and ginkgo gold in October, and cold grey days with first snow in November.
December–February
Winter
Heavy snow, illuminations, the Snow Festival and skiing within an hour; icy pavements and short days.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1°C | -7°C | 18 | 9.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| February | 0°C | -6°C | 15 | 10.5 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| March | 4°C | -3°C | 13 | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 12°C | 3°C | 9 | 13.3 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| May | 17°C | 8°C | 8 | 14.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 22°C | 13°C | 7 | 15.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 25°C | 17°C | 8 | 15.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 26°C | 19°C | 9 | 13.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 22°C | 14°C | 11 | 12.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 16°C | 8°C | 12 | 10.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 9°C | 1°C | 15 | 9.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 2°C | -4°C | 18 | 9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Ski season at Sapporo Teine and Sapporo Kokusai (December to spring) |
| February | Sapporo Snow Festival — snow and ice sculptures in Odori, Susukino and Tsudome (usually early February, about a week) |
| April | Golden Week holidays begin (late April) |
| May | Cherry blossom at Maruyama Park (usually early May); Sapporo Lilac Festival in Odori Park (usually late May) |
| June | Yosakoi Soran Festival — team dance parades (usually early to mid-June); Hokkaido Shrine Festival (usually mid-June) |
| July | Sapporo Summer Festival beer gardens in Odori Park (usually late July to mid-August) |
| August | Obon holiday period — busy domestic travel (mid-August) |
| September | Sapporo Autumn Fest food festival in Odori Park (usually September) |
| October | Autumn foliage at Jozankei (usually mid-October) |
| November | Sapporo White Illumination along Odori Park and Ekimae-dori (usually from late November); Munich Christmas Market in Odori Park (usually late November to 25 December) |
| December | Sapporo White Illumination continues (December); Ski areas open (usually late November to early December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in March–April and November, and the sights are quietest in March–April and November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Sapporo?
Visit Sapporo in February for the Snow Festival and powder skiing, or from June to September for cool, dry summers, flowers and beer gardens. Early February is the busiest and most expensive time, so book well ahead. Late March–April and November are slushy in-between months but quiet and cheaper.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Sapporo?
Usually in March–April and November. Snow melts slowly and streets get slushy; still good skiing early in the month and quiet sightseeing.
+What is the rainiest month in Sapporo?
January, with about 18 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Sapporo get?
The warmest month, August, averages highs of 26°C (79°F) and lows of 19°C (66°F).