Month guide · Sapporo · Japan
Sapporo in December
What December is really like in Sapporo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 2°C (36°F), lows of -4°C (25°F), about 18 rainy days and roughly 9 hours of daylight. Snowy and festive, with illuminations and the Christmas market; ski areas open and hotel prices rise over the New Year holiday.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 2°C (36°F) / -4°C (25°F)
- Rainy days
- About 18
- Daylight
- About 9 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Sapporo: days average 2°C (36°F) against a yearly average high of 13°C (55°F), and nights fall to about -4°C (25°F). Rain falls on roughly 18 of its 31 days. Compared with November (9°C (48°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around -1°C (30°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:00
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:01
- Daylight
- About 9 hours
Winter (December–February). Heavy snow, illuminations, the Snow Festival and skiing within an hour; icy pavements and short days.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in February). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Sapporo White Illumination continues (December)
- Ski areas open (usually late November to early December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Viewpoint · Odori
Sapporo TV Tower
Built in 1957 at the east end of Odori Park, the steel tower has an observation deck at about 90 m that looks straight down the length of the park towards the mountains.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- After dark
- Iconic
Historic site · Sapporo Station area
Sapporo Clock Tower
It takes only a few minutes from the outside; the best photo is from the raised viewing spot across the street.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Iconic
Viewpoint · Minami-ku
Mount Moiwa Ropeway
A ropeway and a short mini cable car climb to the 531 m summit of Mount Moiwa, where an observation deck looks across the whole grid of Sapporo to Ishikari Bay.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- After dark
- Couples
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Market · Odori
Nijo Market
Come for breakfast or an early lunch; many stalls close in the afternoon and the best bowls sell out.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Shopping
What to pack
For highs near 2°C, lows near -4°C and 18 wet days: 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.
Is December a good time to visit Sapporo?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, February and June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Sapporo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Sapporo?
It is a shoulder-season month. Snowy and festive, with illuminations and the Christmas market; ski areas open and hotel prices rise over the New Year holiday.
+How warm is Sapporo in December?
Average highs are around 2°C (36°F) and lows around -4°C (25°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sapporo in December?
Expect rain on about 18 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.