Month guide · Sapporo · Japan
Sapporo in March
What March is really like in Sapporo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
March is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 4°C (39°F), lows of -3°C (27°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 11.8 hours of daylight. Snow melts slowly and streets get slushy; still good skiing early in the month and quiet sightseeing.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 4°C (39°F) / -3°C (27°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in March
March is the 9th-warmest month in Sapporo: days average 4°C (39°F) against a yearly average high of 13°C (55°F), and nights fall to about -3°C (27°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with February (0°C (32°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 12°C (54°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 05:47
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 17:41
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
Spring (March–May). Slow thaw and slush in March and April, then cherry blossom in early May and lilacs late in the month.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 2 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in February). That makes March one of the better-value months to book.
Events in March
March has no major recurring festival in Sapporo, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in March
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Park · Higashi-ku
Moerenuma Park
Rent a bicycle at the park entrance in summer; the grounds are large, and the walk to the top of Mount Moere gives views over the city.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Architecture
- Kids
- Outdoors
Museum · Atsubetsu-ku
Historical Village of Hokkaido
More than 50 buildings from the 1860s to the early 20th century — farmhouses, a herring fishermen's lodge, shops and a post office — have been relocated to this open-air museum in Nopporo Forest Park.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
Viewpoint · Chuo-ku
Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium
Try the ski-jump simulator in the museum before riding the lift, so you appreciate the drop from the start gate.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- History
- Kids
Park · Sapporo Station area
Hokkaido University campus
Just north-west of Sapporo Station, the university's large campus is open to walkers, with lawns, red-brick buildings, a bust of founding teacher William S.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 4°C, lows near -3°C and 13 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 March a good time to visit Sapporo?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, February and June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Sapporo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Sapporo?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Snow melts slowly and streets get slushy; still good skiing early in the month and quiet sightseeing.
+How warm is Sapporo in March?
Average highs are around 4°C (39°F) and lows around -3°C (27°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sapporo in March?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.