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Best time to visit Sapporo: month by month
Short answer
June to September is the best time for sightseeing, with highs of 21-26°C and no Honshu-style rainy season. Early February brings the Snow Festival, and winter (highs of -3 to 1°C) is ideal for skiing. Autumn colours peak in October.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -3°C | -10°C | 18 | medium |
| Feb | -2°C | -8°C | 17 | very high |
| Mar | 5°C | -3°C | 12 | low |
| Apr | 12°C | 3°C | 12 | low |
| May | 17°C | 8°C | 15 | medium |
| Jun | 21°C | 13°C | 13 | medium |
| Jul | 26°C | 19°C | 10 | high |
| Aug | 26°C | 19°C | 16 | high |
| Sep | 23°C | 15°C | 9 | medium |
| Oct | 16°C | 7°C | 14 | medium |
| Nov | 10°C | 2°C | 14 | low |
| Dec | 1°C | -7°C | 16 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Cold March (5°C) warming to 17°C in May; cherry blossom arrives late, around early May.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Pleasant, with highs of 21-26°C and lows of 13-19°C; beer gardens in Odori Park.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Crisp, with highs falling from 23°C to 10°C; October has the best autumn leaves.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Snowy and cold, with highs of -3 to 1°C, lows to -10°C and 16-18 snowy days a month; Snow Festival in February.
Events worth planning around
- Sapporo Snow Festival, early February
- Otaru Snow Light Path, February
- Yosakoi Soran dance festival, June
- Sapporo Summer Festival and Odori beer gardens, July-August
- Sapporo Autumn Fest food festival, September
When to avoid
The Snow Festival week is crowded and expensive unless it is your main reason to go. March and November are grey shoulder months with slush or early snow.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Sapporo?
June to September for mild weather, or early February for the Snow Festival.
When is the Sapporo Snow Festival?
Usually in early February, for about a week, in Odori Park and Susukino.
How cold is Sapporo in winter?
Highs of about -3 to 1°C and lows near -10°C, with frequent snow.