Month guide · Sapporo · Japan
Sapporo in October
What October is really like in Sapporo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 16°C (61°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 10.9 hours of daylight. Autumn colour peaks at Jozankei around mid-month and on the Hokkaido University ginkgo avenue late in the month; first snow on the mountains.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 16°C (61°F) / 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Sapporo: days average 16°C (61°F) against a yearly average high of 13°C (55°F), and nights fall to about 8°C (46°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with September (22°C (72°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 9°C (48°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 05:48
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 16:52
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
Autumn (September–November). Food festivals in September, foliage at Jozankei and ginkgo gold in October, and cold grey days with first snow in November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October 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 October
- Autumn foliage at Jozankei (usually mid-October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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
Street · Susukino
Ganso Ramen Yokocho
Come early in the evening to avoid queues, and pay at the ticket machine or counter as each shop directs.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
What to pack
For highs near 16°C, lows near 8°C and 12 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October 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 October a good time to visit Sapporo?
It is a shoulder-season month. Autumn colour peaks at Jozankei around mid-month and on the Hokkaido University ginkgo avenue late in the month; first snow on the mountains.
+How warm is Sapporo in October?
Average highs are around 16°C (61°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sapporo in October?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.