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Hokkaido in April: weather, snow and what to wear

In April, average highs across 10 places in Hokkaido run from 7.4°C (45°F) in Wakkanai to 12.2°C (54°F) in Obihiro (JMA, 1991–2020). Sapporo, the main city, averages 11.7°C by day and 3.4°C at night. Snow lies on the ground for 5 days or more in 6 of the 10 places, and the deepest snow averages 101 cm in Kutchan.

Hokkaido in April: 10 places compared

Averages for 1991–2020 from the JMA station in each place. Tap a heading to sort.

10 places in Hokkaido in April: averages for 1991–2020 (JMA)
Place (JMA station)High (°C)Low (°C)Wet daysSun (hours)Snow cover (days)Clothes
Sapporo11.73.49.61765.1Chilly
Hakodate12.02.89.51860.7Chilly
Asahikawa11.20.210.01708.8Chilly
Otaru10.92.610.01768.9Chilly
KutchanNiseko area9.80.111.017317.5Cold
FuranoAMeDAS10.9−0.211.91605.6*Chilly
Obihiro12.20.87.61932.9Chilly
Kushiro8.00.77.81822.4Cold
Abashiri9.10.68.41796.5Cold
Wakkanai7.41.88.81744.8Cold
  • The most wet days (1 mm or more of rain or snow) are in Furano (11.9 days), the fewest in Obihiro (7.6 days).
  • Precipitation ranges from 48.5 mm in Asahikawa to 79.4 mm in Kushiro.
  • Obihiro gets the most sunshine (193 hours in the month) and Furano the least (160 hours).
  • Every place here is colder than Tokyo, where the average high in April is 19.4°C.

* Furano: days with snow 5 cm or deeper (AMeDAS stations count only that). Elsewhere: 1 cm or deeper.

Kutchan is the JMA station for the Niseko ski area (Grand Hirafu is in Kutchan town). Slopes higher up are colder.

Early, mid and late April in Hokkaido

Average high and low for each ten days of April (JMA ten-day normals, 1991–2020).

Hokkaido in April by ten-day period: average high and low in °C (JMA 1991–2020)
Place (JMA station)1–10 (°C)11–20 (°C)21–30 (°C)
Sapporo9.2low 1.511.6low 3.314.4low 5.3
Hakodate10.1low 1.211.8low 2.714.0low 4.6
Asahikawa8.3low −1.810.9low 0.214.5low 2.1
Otaru8.4low 1.010.7low 2.513.7low 4.4
Kutchan7.1low −1.99.5low 0.112.6low 2.0
Furano8.0low −2.310.8low −0.214.0low 1.8
Obihiro9.9low −0.911.8low 0.715.0low 2.5
Kushiro6.4low −0.77.8low 0.69.9low 2.1
Abashiri6.7low −1.09.0low 0.511.6low 2.2
Wakkanai5.4low 0.47.3low 1.79.4low 3.3

In Sapporo, the average high is 9.2°C in the first ten days of April, 11.6°C in the middle ten and 14.4°C in the last ten.

Every place here is at least 2°C warmer by the end of April than at the start.

Snow in Hokkaido in April

Snowfall is the total for the month; deepest snow is the average of each year's deepest (JMA, 1991–2020).

Snow in Hokkaido in April: averages for 1991–2020 (JMA)
Place (JMA station)Snowfall (cm)Snow falls (days)Snow cover (days)Deepest (cm)
Sapporo610.15.122
Hakodate26.40.71
Asahikawa1513.88.833
Otaru77.68.942
Kutchan1710.217.5101
Furano22—5.6*23
Obihiro99.12.99
Kushiro79.82.45
Abashiri1515.26.516
Wakkanai912.64.817
  • The deepest snow is in Kutchan (101 cm), then Otaru (42 cm) and Asahikawa (33 cm).
  • Bring waterproof shoes with a good grip for Sapporo, Asahikawa, Otaru, Kutchan, Furano and Abashiri: snow lies on the ground for 5 days or more.
  • Snow does not usually lie for long in Wakkanai, Kushiro, Obihiro and Hakodate, but snow or sleet falls on 3.0 days or more.

* Furano: days with snow 5 cm or deeper (AMeDAS stations count only that). Elsewhere: 1 cm or deeper.

What to wear in Hokkaido in April

How we choose: from the JMA's average high and low for April, by our own rules.

In April the clothing level runs from Cold in Kutchan, Kushiro, Abashiri and Wakkanai to Chilly in Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa, Otaru, Furano and Obihiro, so pack for the coldest place on your route.

What to wear in Hokkaido in April, by average high
LevelAverage highWhat to wearPlaces
Chilly10 to 15°CA warm jacket or light coat over a sweater.Sapporo 11.7°C, Hakodate 12.0°C, Asahikawa 11.2°C, Otaru 10.9°C, Furano 10.9°C and Obihiro 12.2°C
Cold5 to 10°CA winter coat over layers, and a scarf.Kutchan 9.8°C, Kushiro 8.0°C, Abashiri 9.1°C and Wakkanai 7.4°C
  • Gloves and a warm hat: frost on 10 nights or more in Asahikawa, Kutchan, Furano, Obihiro, Kushiro and Abashiri.

Flowers and autumn colour in Hokkaido in April

Hokkaido in April: average dates for 1991–2020 and the latest year (JMA sample trees)
Place (JMA station)WhatAverage dateLatest year
SapporoPlum blossom opens29 April18 April 2026
HakodatePlum blossom opens26 April14 April 2026
HakodateCherry blossom opens28 April18 April 2026

The first plum blossom in Hokkaido in an average year is in Hakodate on 26 April.

The first cherry blossom in Hokkaido in an average year is in Hakodate on 28 April.

Dates are for one sample tree at or near the JMA observatory, not for every park in the city.

Holidays and crowds in Hokkaido in April

National holidays in April 2027:

  • Thu 29 April — Showa Day

Hotels and inns in Hokkaido were 46.3% full in April 2025 (Japan as a whole: 61.4%).

More on Hokkaido and April

One place in April

Hokkaido in other months

Other regions in April

Frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Hokkaido in April?

In April, average highs across 10 places in Hokkaido run from 7.4°C (45°F) in Wakkanai to 12.2°C (54°F) in Obihiro (JMA, 1991–2020). Sapporo, the main city, averages 11.7°C by day and 3.4°C at night. Snow lies on the ground for 5 days or more in 6 of the 10 places, and the deepest snow averages 101 cm in Kutchan.

What should I wear in Hokkaido in April?

Cold (Kutchan, Kushiro, Abashiri and Wakkanai): A winter coat over layers, and a scarf. Chilly (Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa, Otaru, Furano and Obihiro): A warm jacket or light coat over a sweater.

Is there snow in Hokkaido in April?

Yes. Snow lies on the ground for 5 days or more in an average April in Sapporo, Asahikawa, Otaru, Kutchan, Furano and Abashiri (JMA, 1991–2020). The deepest snow averages 101 cm in Kutchan.

Where is the warmest place in Hokkaido in April?

Obihiro, with an average high of 12.2°C (54°F). Next are Hakodate (12.0°C) and Sapporo (11.7°C). The coldest is Wakkanai (7.4°C).

What events are on in Hokkaido in April?

Cherry blossoms in Sapporo (Maruyama Park and Nakajima Park) (Sapporo), Jozankei Onsen Stream Carp Streamers (Sapporo), Hiraoka Plum Festival (Sapporo), Cherry Blossom Viewing at Goryokaku Park and Hakodate Park (Hakodate) and Giant carp streamers on Goryokaku Tower (Hakodate). Dates and official pages are on each place's month page.

April records in Hokkaido

The highest and lowest temperatures ever recorded in April at each JMA station, with the date.

April records in Hokkaido (JMA, all years on record)
Place (JMA station)Highest (°C)Lowest (°C)Deepest snow (cm)Since
Sapporo28.021 April 1998−14.63 April 19291011 April 19391877
Hakodate23.627 April 2024−8.66 April 1883287 April 19491873
Asahikawa29.621 April 1998−19.01 April 18921161 April 18981889
Otaru27.621 April 1998−6.48 April 1964991 April 20051943
Kutchan24.527 April 2024−18.61 April 19782561 April 19701944
Furano29.221 April 1998−17.82 April 1984941 April 20001976
Obihiro31.721 April 1998−22.42 April 1911961 April 19701892
Kushiro23.528 April 1983−14.16 April 1912467 April 19761910
Abashiri31.921 April 1998−12.41 April 1915821 April 19171890
Wakkanai20.416 April 2024−8.01 April 19531101 April 19701938

The hottest April day on record here was 31.9°C (89°F) in Abashiri on 21 April 1998.

The coldest was −22.4°C (−8°F) in Obihiro on 2 April 1911.

What's on in Hokkaido in April

Events in the places that have their own month page. Dates, venues and the organisers' official pages are on each place's page.

Sapporo

  • Cherry blossoms in Sapporo (Maruyama Park and Nakajima Park)
  • Jozankei Onsen Stream Carp Streamers
  • Hiraoka Plum Festival

Hakodate

  • Cherry Blossom Viewing at Goryokaku Park and Hakodate Park
  • Giant carp streamers on Goryokaku Tower

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Japan in AprilNational holidays in 2027: 29 April.Warmest26.0°C IshigakiColdest11.5°C Kusatsu OnsenVisitors 20253.91MHotels full61.4%Hokkaido by month10 places, January to December.Coldest−3.7°C Jan FuranoHottest26.6°C Aug AsahikawaPlaces10Deepest snow181 cmKyushu in AprilClothes: Cool in 4 and Mild in 4.Warmest21.8°C KagoshimaColdest18.5°C YufuinMost wet days10.3 days YufuinPlaces8Shikoku in AprilClothes: Cool in 3 and Mild in 1.Warmest20.9°C KochiColdest19.6°C MatsuyamaMost wet days9.7 days KochiPlaces4

Back to Japan by month

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Sources for this page

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  1. Normals for 1991–2020: Sapporo (札幌), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  2. Normals for 1991–2020: Hakodate (函館), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  3. Normals for 1991–2020: Asahikawa (旭川), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  4. Normals for 1991–2020: Otaru (小樽), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  5. Normals for 1991–2020: Kutchan (倶知安), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  6. Normals for 1991–2020: Furano (富良野), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  7. Normals for 1991–2020: Obihiro (帯広), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  8. Normals for 1991–2020: Kushiro (釧路), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  9. Normals for 1991–2020: Abashiri (網走), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  10. Normals for 1991–2020: Wakkanai (稚内), month by month (平年値 年・月ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  11. Ten-day normals for 1991–2020: Sapporo (札幌) (平年値 旬ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  12. Ten-day normals for 1991–2020: Hakodate (函館) (平年値 旬ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  13. Ten-day normals for 1991–2020: Asahikawa (旭川) (平年値 旬ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  14. Ten-day normals for 1991–2020: Otaru (小樽) (平年値 旬ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  15. Ten-day normals for 1991–2020: Kutchan (倶知安) (平年値 旬ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  16. Ten-day normals for 1991–2020: Furano (富良野) (平年値 旬ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  17. Ten-day normals for 1991–2020: Obihiro (帯広) (平年値 旬ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  18. Ten-day normals for 1991–2020: Kushiro (釧路) (平年値 旬ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  19. Ten-day normals for 1991–2020: Abashiri (網走) (平年値 旬ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  20. Ten-day normals for 1991–2020: Wakkanai (稚内) (平年値 旬ごとの値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  21. Records for April: Sapporo (札幌) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  22. Records for April: Hakodate (函館) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  23. Records for April: Asahikawa (旭川) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  24. Records for April: Otaru (小樽) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  25. Records for April: Kutchan (倶知安) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  26. Records for April: Furano (富良野) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  27. Records for April: Obihiro (帯広) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  28. Records for April: Kushiro (釧路) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  29. Records for April: Abashiri (網走) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  30. Records for April: Wakkanai (稚内) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  31. National holidays (国民の祝日について)Cabinet Office
  32. Overnight Travel Statistics Survey, 2025 final figures (宿泊旅行統計調査 2025年 年の確定値)Japan Tourism Agency
  33. Plum blossom opening dates, 2025–2026 (うめの開花日)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  34. Yearly records of flowering and leaf colour since 1953 (生物季節観測累年値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  35. Cherry blossom opening dates, 2021–2026 (さくらの開花日)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  36. Cherry blossom full-bloom dates, 2021–2026 (さくらの満開日)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)