Sapporo Weather
A month-by-month look at temperature, rainfall and what to pack in Sapporo. The annual average is 13°C high / 5°C low — hottest in August (26°C) and coldest in January (-7°C).
Sapporo Weather at a Glance
As of 2026A quick summary of Sapporo's year-round climate and the best time to visit.
- Annual average
- 13° / 5°
- Best time to visit
- May, June, July
- Hottest month
- August (26°C)
- Coldest month
- January (-7°C)
- Wettest month
- September (142mm)
- Driest month
- June (56mm)
As of 2026, Sapporo's weather averages 13°C high / 5°C low across the year, and the best time to visit for stable temperatures, rainfall and crowds is May, June, July. The hottest month is August (26°C), the coldest is January (-7°C), and the wettest is September (142mm).
Best Time to Visit Sapporo
May is Sapporo's most beautiful month — cherry blossoms peak first week (Hokkaido Shrine, Maruyama Park), greenery returns, comfortable 17°C/9°C. **Golden Week (May 3-5)** sees Japanese domestic tourists pour in; hotel prices peak. Outside Golden Week, May is the sweet spot — ideal weather + manageable crowds.
June is Hokkaido's biggest advantage over Japan — **no rainy season**. While Tokyo and Osaka suffer 'tsuyu' (June-July humid downpours), Sapporo stays dry and 21°C/13°C. **YOSAKOI Soran Festival** (early June) is the city's biggest summer event — 27,000 dancers, 2 million spectators. Lavender season starts in Furano (1 hour by JR limited express).
July is peak summer — Sapporo's biggest beer festival in Odori Park (1,000+ tables, 100+ beer brands), Furano lavender at peak first 2 weeks. Hotel prices high (school holidays). Cooler than rest of Japan (25°C vs Tokyo 32°C+) makes it the domestic Japanese escape. **Tanabata** (July 7) is the romantic star festival.
Sapporo Weather Month by Month
Tap any month for a detailed guide with what to wear, sunrise/sunset and air quality.
| Month | High/Low | Rain | Rainy days | Crowds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1° / -7° | 113mm | 23 | Moderate | Details → |
| February | 0° / -7° | 94mm | 20 | Very busy | Details → |
| March | 4° / -4° | 78mm | 17 | Moderate | Details → |
| April | 11° / 2° | 57mm | 12 | Moderate | Details → |
| May | 17° / 9° | 60mm | 11 | Moderate | Details → |
| June | 21° / 13° | 56mm | 9 | Busy | Details → |
| July | 25° / 17° | 91mm | 13 | Very busy | Details → |
| August | 26° / 19° | 124mm | 12 | Very busy | Details → |
| September | 22° / 14° | 142mm | 12 | Busy | Details → |
| October | 16° / 7° | 110mm | 11 | Moderate | Details → |
| November | 8° / 0° | 116mm | 17 | Quiet | Details → |
| December | 1° / -5° | 96mm | 22 | Busy | Details → |
What to Wear in Sapporo by Season
Spring arrives — high 11°C means light coat + sweater suffice. Mornings still chilly (2°C); pack scarf + gloves. Mountain areas (Mt. Moiwa) still have snow patches; lower altitudes are clear.
Warm summer — t-shirts + shorts, sandals. Light jacket for evenings (still cool at 17°C). Sunscreen + sun hat for outdoor festivals. Hokkaido summer = cooler than Tokyo by 5-10°C.
Mid-autumn — long sleeves, light wool sweater, jacket for evenings. Foliage walking demands waterproof boots — wet leaves are slippery.
Still deep winter — same as January. Snow Festival adds 2 million visitors in early February. Wind protection critical for outdoor sculpture viewing (Odori Park exposed). Hand warmers + heated insoles for 4-hour sculpture walks.
Sapporo Weather FAQ
What is the best time to visit Sapporo? +
For weather, May, June, July are the most comfortable months. Highs sit around 17°C with relatively stable rainfall and crowds.
What are the hottest and coldest months in Sapporo? +
The hottest month is August with an average high of 26°C, and the coldest is January with an average low of -7°C. The annual average is 13°C high / 5°C low.
When does it rain most in Sapporo? +
The wettest month is September (142mm over about 12 rainy days) and the driest is June (56mm). Total annual rainfall is roughly 1137mm.
What should I pack for Sapporo? +
Spring (Mar–May) averages 11/2°C — Spring arrives — high 11°C means light coat + sweater suffice. Mornings still chilly (2°C); pack scarf + gloves. Mountain areas (Mt. Moiwa) still have snow patches; lower altitudes are clear. Summer (Jun–Aug) averages 24/16°C — Warm summer — t-shirts + shorts, sandals. Light jacket for evenings (still cool at 17°C). Sunscreen + sun hat for outdoor festivals. Hokkaido summer = cooler than Tokyo by 5-10°C. Autumn (Sep–Nov) averages 15/7°C — Mid-autumn — long sleeves, light wool sweater, jacket for evenings. Foliage walking demands waterproof boots — wet leaves are slippery. Winter (Dec–Feb) averages 0/-6°C — Still deep winter — same as January. Snow Festival adds 2 million visitors in early February. Wind protection critical for outdoor sculpture viewing (Odori Park exposed). Hand warmers + heated insoles for 4-hour sculpture walks.
What is the weather in Sapporo this month (June)? +
June averages 21°C high / 13°C low with 56mm rainfall over about 9 rainy days. Crowds are busy and prices are high.
Keep Planning Your Sapporo Trip
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.