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Sapporo weather by month: temperature, rain and what to wear

Sapporo's average high runs from −0.4°C (31°F) in January to 26.4°C (80°F) in August (JMA, 1991–2020). The wettest month is September (142.2 mm) and the driest is April (54.6 mm).

Updated

26.4°CAugust
−0.4°CJanuary
1,146 mmprecipitation

Sapporo weather month by month

Averages for 1991–2020 at the JMA's Sapporo station (17 m above sea level). Each month links to its own page.

Sapporo by month: averages for 1991–2020 (JMA)
MonthHighLowPrecipitationWet daysSunshine
January−0.4°C−6.4°C108.4 mm18.3 days90 hours
February0.4°C−6.2°C91.9 mm16.0 days104 hours
March4.5°C−2.4°C77.6 mm13.9 days145 hours
April11.7°C3.4°C54.6 mm9.6 days176 hours
May17.9°C9.0°C55.5 mm8.5 days200 hours
June21.8°C13.4°C60.4 mm7.5 days180 hours
July25.4°C17.9°C90.7 mm7.7 days168 hours
August26.4°C19.1°C126.8 mm9.5 days168 hours
September22.8°C14.8°C142.2 mm10.2 days159 hours
October16.4°C8.0°C109.9 mm11.6 days146 hours
November8.7°C1.6°C113.8 mm14.6 days99 hours
December2.0°C−4.0°C114.5 mm16.0 days83 hours

Average high in Sapporo, month by month (°C)

Jan−0.4°C
Feb0.4°C
Mar4.5°C
Apr11.7°C
May17.9°C
Jun21.8°C
Jul25.4°C
Aug26.4°C
Sep22.8°C
Oct16.4°C
Nov8.7°C
Dec2.0°C
The Sapporo Clock Tower, a white wooden building with a clock face on its tower and a red roof
Photo: Sapporo Clock Tower (16144265946).jpg by redlegsfan21 (CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped), via Wikimedia Commons.

When to go to Sapporo, by the numbers

  • Months with average highs between 15°C and 25°C and fewer than 10 wet days: May and June.
  • Fewest wet days: June (7.5 days).
  • Quietest hotels in 2025 (Hokkaido): April (46.3%), November (54.2%) and May (55.1%).
  • Busiest hotels in 2025 (Hokkaido): July (69.8%), August (69.5%) and February (68.0%).
  • Plum blossom: around 29 April on average.
  • Cherry blossom: around 1 May on average.
  • Hydrangea: around 16 July on average.
  • Autumn leaves (maple): around 28 October on average.
  • Ginkgo turns yellow: around 4 November on average.

What to wear in Sapporo, month by month

Sapporo: our clothing level for each month (from the JMA's averages)
MonthLevelAverage highWet days
JanuaryFreezing−0.4°C18.3 days
FebruaryFreezing0.4°C16.0 days
MarchFreezing4.5°C13.9 days
AprilChilly11.7°C9.6 days
MayCool17.9°C8.5 days
JuneMild21.8°C7.5 days
JulyWarm25.4°C7.7 days
AugustWarm26.4°C9.5 days
SeptemberMild22.8°C10.2 days
OctoberCool16.4°C11.6 days
NovemberCold8.7°C14.6 days
DecemberFreezing2.0°C16.0 days

How busy Sapporo is, month by month

How full hotels across Hokkaido were, month by month in 2025 (%)

Average room occupancy for all hotels and inns (Japan Tourism Agency).

Jan62.1%
Feb68.0%
Mar55.2%
Apr46.3%
May55.1%
Jun64.7%
Jul69.8%
Aug69.5%
Sep67.4%
Oct63.2%
Nov54.2%
Dec59.5%

Events in Sapporo through the year

Events in Sapporo: dates from each organizer's official page
EventMonthWhen
Sapporo White IlluminationさっぽろホワイトイルミネーションNov, Dec, Jan, Feb and MarLate November to mid-March; each site has its own end date (20 November 2026 to 14 March 2027) Official page
Sapporo Snow Festivalさっぽろ雪まつりFebEarly February, for eight days (4 to 11 February in 2026 and in 2027) Official page
Cherry blossoms in Sapporo (Maruyama Park and Nakajima Park)札幌の桜（円山公園・中島公園）Apr and MayLate April to early May Official page
Jozankei Onsen Stream Carp Streamers定山渓温泉渓流鯉のぼりApr and MayEarly April to early May (10 April to 10 May in 2026; early April to early May in 2027) Official page
Hiraoka Plum Festivalひらおか梅まつりApr and MayLate April to 10 May (25 April to 10 May in 2026) Official page
Sapporo Lilac FestivalさっぽろライラックまつりMayLate May (20 to 31 May in 2026) Official page
YOSAKOI Soran FestivalYOSAKOIソーラン祭りJunEarly to mid June, five days from a Wednesday to a Sunday (10 to 14 June in 2026; 9 to 13 June in 2027) Official page
Hokkaido Shrine Festival (Sapporo Matsuri)北海道神宮例祭（札幌まつり）JunEvery year on 14, 15 and 16 June Official page
Sapporo Summer Festival (Odori Beer Garden)さっぽろ夏まつりJul and AugLate July to mid-August (23 July to 18 August in 2026) Official page
Hokkaido Marathon北海道マラソンAugLate August (30 August in 2026) Official page
Sapporo Autumn FestさっぽろオータムフェストSep and OctMid-September to early October, 23 days (11 September to 3 October in 2026) Official page
Munich Christmas Market in Sapporoミュンヘン・クリスマス市 in SapporoNov and DecLate November to Christmas Day (20 November to 25 December in 2026) Official page

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Sapporo?

Months with average highs between 15°C and 25°C and fewer than 10 wet days: May and June. Fewest wet days: June (7.5 days).

What is the hottest month in Sapporo?

August has the highest average high, 26.4°C (80°F). January has the lowest, −0.4°C (31°F) (JMA, 1991–2020).

What is the rainiest month in Sapporo?

September has the most precipitation (142.2 mm), and January has the most wet days (18.3 days) (JMA, 1991–2020).

Related items

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Back to Japan by month

Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 2, 2026