Month guide · Sapporo · Japan
Sapporo in January
What January is really like in Sapporo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Kinori assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain
Quick answer
January is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of -1°C (30°F), lows of -7°C (19°F), about 18 rainy days and roughly 9.3 hours of daylight. The coldest, snowiest month, with snow almost daily and pavements packed with ice. Excellent for skiing at Teine and Kokusai; crowds are moderate after New Year.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- -1°C (30°F) / -7°C (19°F)
- Rainy days
- About 18
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Sapporo: days average -1°C (30°F) against a yearly average high of 13°C (55°F), and nights fall to about -7°C (19°F). Rain falls on roughly 18 of its 31 days. Compared with December (2°C (36°F)), January is cooler; by February highs stay near 0°C (32°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:03
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:24
- Daylight
- About 9.3 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, January 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 January
- Ski season at Sapporo Teine and Sapporo Kokusai (December to spring)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Higashi-ku
Sapporo Beer Museum
Book dinner at the beer garden next door and try Sapporo Classic, a lager sold only in Hokkaido.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
- Rainy day
Theme park · Nishi-ku
Shiroi Koibito Park
The factory of Ishiya, maker of the Shiroi Koibito white-chocolate biscuits, has a European-style courtyard, a viewing gallery over the production line, a sweets museum and a biscuit-decorating workshop.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Food
Street · Susukino
Tanukikoji Shopping Street
Use it as your covered route between Odori and Susukino on snowy evenings.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Free
- Food
Park · Odori
Odori Park
This 1.5 km strip of lawns, flowerbeds and fountains runs east–west through the city centre and hosts Sapporo's main events: snow sculptures in February, the lilac festival in May, beer gardens in summer and the Autumn Fest food festival in September.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- After dark
What to pack
For highs near -1°C, lows near -7°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 January a good time to visit Sapporo?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event 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 January a good time to visit Sapporo?
It is a shoulder-season month. The coldest, snowiest month, with snow almost daily and pavements packed with ice. Excellent for skiing at Teine and Kokusai; crowds are moderate after New Year.
+How warm is Sapporo in January?
Average highs are around -1°C (30°F) and lows around -7°C (19°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sapporo in January?
Expect rain on about 18 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.