When to visit Sapporo (Hokkaido) without the crowds
Sapporo (Hokkaido) (Japan) is calmest in March, April, May and November: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in February, July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with March: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Mar–Apr, Jun & Nov
When everyone heads home
The second week of February, after the festival.
Tip
June is ideal in Hokkaido: it has no rainy season, unlike the rest of Japan.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | -1 °C (30 °F)10 rainy days · ~50 cm of snow | New Year's Day, Coming of Age Day |
| February | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 0 °C (32 °F)10 rainy days · ~46 cm of snow | Sapporo Snow Festival (Feb), Foundation Day, The Emperor's Birthday |
| March | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 5 °C (41 °F)9 rainy days · ~20 cm of snow | Vernal Equinox Day |
| April | 1/5 · calm | 11 °C (53 °F)10 rainy days | Shōwa Day |
| May | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 18 °C (65 °F)11 rainy days | Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, Children's Day |
| June | 3/5 · moderate | 21 °C (70 °F)11 rainy days | |
| July | 4/5 · busy ✦ | 26 °C (78 °F)11 rainy days | Marine Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 26 °C (80 °F)14 rainy days | Mountain Day |
| September | 3/5 · moderate | 23 °C (74 °F)11 rainy days | Respect for the Aged Day, Autumnal Equinox Day |
| October | 3/5 · moderate | 16 °C (61 °F)11 rainy days | Sports Day |
| November | 2/5 · calm | 8 °C (47 °F)14 rainy days · ~8 cm of snow | Culture Day, Labour Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 1 °C (34 °F)13 rainy days · ~47 cm of snow |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up. ✦ = something special to see.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Snow (Dec–Mar): about 20–50 cm in a typical month; in 10 years there were 3 days with over 15 cm (the biggest, 40 cm on Mar 2, 2021). Estimated from Copernicus ERA5.
- Rainy season (Aug): about 14 rainy days a month.
What to see, and when
- Cherry blossoms, later than the rest of Japan (early May).
- Lavender fields in Furano (July), 2 h away.
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (e-Stat, Hokkaido, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Sapporo (Hokkaido) without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually April (crowds 1/5). In April the average high is 11 °C (53 °F). All the calm months: March, April, May and November.
When is Sapporo (Hokkaido) most crowded?
The busiest season is February, July and August. The second week of February, after the festival.
What is the weather like in Sapporo (Hokkaido)?
Average highs range from -1 °C (30 °F) in January to 26 °C (80 °F) in August, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025). It rains most in August (about 14 days) and least in March (9). It snows most in January: about 50 cm in a typical month (estimated).
What should I know before going to Sapporo (Hokkaido)?
Snow (Dec–Mar): about 20–50 cm in a typical month; in 10 years there were 3 days with over 15 cm (the biggest, 40 cm on Mar 2, 2021). Estimated from Copernicus ERA5. Rainy season (Aug): about 14 rainy days a month.
What is there to see in Sapporo (Hokkaido) by season?
Cherry blossoms, later than the rest of Japan (early May). Lavender fields in Furano (July), 2 h away.
What festivals are there in Sapporo (Hokkaido)?
The main ones: Sapporo Snow Festival (Feb) (February).
More places in Japan
- Kyoto calm in January, February and June; busiest in March, April, May and November
- Tokyo calm in January, February, June and September; busiest in April
- Osaka calm in January, February and June; busiest in March, April, May, August and November
- Hiroshima & Miyajima calm in January, February, June and December; busiest in April, May, August and November
- Nara calm in January, February, June and December; busiest in April, May, August, October and November
- Naha (Okinawa) calm in January, February, April, June and December; busiest in July and August
- Hakone calm in January, February, June, July and September; busiest in August and November
- Kanazawa calm in January, February, June and July; busiest in May, August and November
- Nikko calm in January, February, March, April, June and December; busiest in August, October and November
- Fukuoka calm in January, February and June; busiest in May, August and November
- Kawaguchiko (Mount Fuji) calm in January, February, March, June, October and December; busiest in August