Skip to main content

Hokkaido in January: weather, snow and what to wear

In January, average highs across 10 places in Hokkaido run from −3.7°C (25°F) in Furano to 0.9°C (34°F) in Hakodate (JMA, 1991–2020). Sapporo, the main city, averages −0.4°C by day and −6.4°C at night. Snow lies on the ground for 5 days or more in all 10 places, and the deepest snow averages 155 cm in Kutchan.

Hokkaido in January: 10 places compared

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

10 places in Hokkaido in January: averages for 1991–2020 (JMA)
Place (JMA station)High (°C)Low (°C)Wet daysSun (hours)Snow cover (days)Clothes
Sapporo−0.4−6.418.39031.0Freezing
Hakodate0.9−6.015.010329.4Freezing
Asahikawa−3.3−11.717.17531.0Freezing
Otaru−0.5−5.822.86431.0Freezing
KutchanNiseko area−2.0−9.624.54731.0Freezing
FuranoAMeDAS−3.7−14.414.36430.9*Freezing
Obihiro−1.5−13.04.818830.9Freezing
Kushiro−0.2−9.84.818724.8Freezing
Abashiri−2.2−8.913.311230.9Freezing
Wakkanai−2.4−6.419.84131.0Freezing
  • The most wet days (1 mm or more of rain or snow) are in Kutchan (24.5 days), the fewest in Obihiro (4.8 days).
  • Precipitation ranges from 40.4 mm in Kushiro to 184.5 mm in Kutchan.
  • Obihiro gets the most sunshine (188 hours in the month) and Wakkanai the least (41 hours).
  • Every place here is colder than Tokyo, where the average high in January is 9.8°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 January in Hokkaido

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

Hokkaido in January by ten-day period: average high and low in °C (JMA 1991–2020)
Place (JMA station)1–10 (°C)11–20 (°C)21–31 (°C)
Sapporo0.2low −5.8−0.7low −6.7−0.5low −6.7
Hakodate1.3low −5.20.5low −6.50.8low −6.3
Asahikawa−2.7low −10.6−3.9low −12.4−3.2low −12.1
Otaru0.0low −5.2−0.9low −6.0−0.6low −6.2
Kutchan−1.6low −8.5−2.3low −10.1−2.0low −10.2
Furano−3.0low −13.0−4.5low −15.4−3.7low −14.8
Obihiro−0.9low −12.0−1.9low −13.4−1.5low −13.4
Kushiro0.6low −8.9−0.7low −10.2−0.6low −10.3
Abashiri−1.4low −8.0−2.6low −9.3−2.4low −9.4
Wakkanai−1.6low −5.5−2.8low −6.7−2.7low −6.9

In Sapporo, the average high is 0.2°C in the first ten days of January, −0.7°C in the middle ten and −0.5°C in the last ten.

Snow in Hokkaido in January

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

Snow in Hokkaido in January: averages for 1991–2020 (JMA)
Place (JMA station)Snowfall (cm)Snow falls (days)Snow cover (days)Deepest (cm)
Sapporo13729.131.076
Hakodate9127.929.434
Asahikawa12530.231.072
Otaru15729.831.092
Kutchan25330.731.0155
Furano145—30.9*64
Obihiro5213.830.957
Kushiro3214.324.823
Abashiri9027.030.946
Wakkanai12930.431.059

The deepest snow is in Kutchan (155 cm), then Otaru (92 cm) and Sapporo (76 cm).

Bring waterproof shoes with a good grip: snow lies on the ground for 5 days or more in every place here.

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

What to wear in Hokkaido in January

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

Is Hokkaido cold in January?

Yes, it is very cold. Sapporo, the main city, averages −0.4°C (31°F) by day and −6.4°C (20°F) at night in January. 11–20 January is the coldest stretch of the year, with highs of −0.7°C.

All 10 places are at the same level in January: Freezing.

What to wear in Hokkaido in January, by average high
LevelAverage highWhat to wearPlaces
Freezingunder 5°CA heavy winter coat (down or similar), thermal underwear, a hat, gloves and a scarf.Sapporo −0.4°C, Hakodate 0.9°C, Asahikawa −3.3°C, Otaru −0.5°C, Kutchan −2.0°C, Furano −3.7°C, Obihiro −1.5°C, Kushiro −0.2°C, Abashiri −2.2°C and Wakkanai −2.4°C
  • Gloves and a warm hat: the low drops below 0°C on 10 nights or more in every place here.

Holidays and crowds in Hokkaido in January

National holidays in January 2027:

  • Fri 1 January — New Year's Day
  • Mon 11 January — Coming of Age Day
  • Fri 1 January to Sun 3 January: 3 days off in a row
  • Sat 9 January to Mon 11 January: 3 days off in a row

Hotels and inns in Hokkaido were 62.1% full in January 2025 (Japan as a whole: 54.6%).

More on Hokkaido and January

One place in January

Hokkaido in other months

Other regions in January

Frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Hokkaido in January?

In January, average highs across 10 places in Hokkaido run from −3.7°C (25°F) in Furano to 0.9°C (34°F) in Hakodate (JMA, 1991–2020). Sapporo, the main city, averages −0.4°C by day and −6.4°C at night. Snow lies on the ground for 5 days or more in all 10 places, and the deepest snow averages 155 cm in Kutchan.

What should I wear in Hokkaido in January?

Freezing (Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa, Otaru, Kutchan, Furano, Obihiro, Kushiro, Abashiri and Wakkanai): A heavy winter coat (down or similar), thermal underwear, a hat, gloves and a scarf.

Is Hokkaido cold in January?

Yes, it is very cold. Sapporo, the main city, averages −0.4°C (31°F) by day and −6.4°C (20°F) at night in January. 11–20 January is the coldest stretch of the year, with highs of −0.7°C.

Is there snow in Hokkaido in January?

Yes. Snow lies on the ground for 5 days or more in an average January in Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa, Otaru, Kutchan, Furano, Obihiro, Kushiro, Abashiri and Wakkanai (JMA, 1991–2020). The deepest snow averages 155 cm in Kutchan.

Where is the warmest place in Hokkaido in January?

Hakodate, with an average high of 0.9°C (34°F). Next are Kushiro (−0.2°C) and Sapporo (−0.4°C). The coldest is Furano (−3.7°C).

What events are on in Hokkaido in January?

Sapporo White Illumination (Sapporo), Jozankei Onsen Yukitouro (Sapporo), Sapporo International Art Festival 2027 (SIAF2027) (Sapporo) and New Year's Day sunrise opening at Goryokaku Tower (Hakodate). Dates and official pages are on each place's month page.

January records in Hokkaido

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

January records in Hokkaido (JMA, all years on record)
Place (JMA station)Highest (°C)Lowest (°C)Deepest snow (cm)Since
Sapporo11.224 January 1903−27.018 January 19221504 January 19291877
Hakodate12.524 January 1903−21.729 January 18917426 January 19361873
Asahikawa11.71 January 1892−41.025 January 190212228 January 19991889
Otaru11.023 January 2009−18.024 January 195417231 January 19541943
Kutchan8.723 January 2009−35.727 January 194523631 January 19701944
Furano6.922 January 1988−34.529 January 197710114 January 20221977
Obihiro8.09 January 1990−38.226 January 190210913 January 19531892
Kushiro7.613 January 1964−28.328 January 192210630 January 19531910
Abashiri11.81 January 1892−29.225 January 190210311 January 19181890
Wakkanai7.423 January 2009−19.430 January 19441135 January 19631938

The hottest January day on record here was 12.5°C (54°F) in Hakodate on 24 January 1903.

The coldest was −41.0°C (−42°F) in Asahikawa on 25 January 1902.

What's on in Hokkaido in January

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

Sapporo

  • Sapporo White Illumination
  • Jozankei Onsen Yukitouro
  • Sapporo International Art Festival 2027 (SIAF2027)

Hakodate

  • New Year's Day sunrise opening at Goryokaku Tower

Related items

Japan in JanuaryNational holidays in 2027: 1 and 11 January.Warmest21.5°C IshigakiColdest−0.4°C SapporoVisitors 20253.78MHotels full54.6%Hokkaido by month10 places, January to December.Coldest−3.7°C Jan FuranoHottest26.6°C Aug AsahikawaPlaces10Deepest snow181 cmKyushu in JanuaryClothes: Cold in 1 and Chilly in 7.Warmest13.1°C KagoshimaColdest7.3°C YufuinMost wet days9.3 days FukuokaPlaces8Shikoku in JanuaryClothes: Cold in 1 and Chilly in 3.Warmest12.2°C KochiColdest9.7°C TakamatsuMost wet days7.1 days MatsuyamaPlaces4

Back to Japan by month

Read more

Sources for this page

Show all 32
  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 January: Sapporo (札幌) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  22. Records for January: Hakodate (函館) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  23. Records for January: Asahikawa (旭川) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  24. Records for January: Otaru (小樽) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  25. Records for January: Kutchan (倶知安) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  26. Records for January: Furano (富良野) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  27. Records for January: Obihiro (帯広) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  28. Records for January: Kushiro (釧路) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  29. Records for January: Abashiri (網走) (観測史上1〜10位の値)Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
  30. Records for January: 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