Hokkaido Kurashi no Yomimono
What to Wear in Hokkaido, Month by Month

What to Wear in Hokkaido, Month by Month

In Sapporo the average high is −0.4℃ in January and 26.4℃ in August. Summer mornings and evenings are cool, and in winter it is below freezing outside but warm indoors, so all year round, dress in layers you can take off.

Check by month and home city

Going toComing from

The sky color follows the average high, rain and snow follow precipitation and snowfall, the snowbank follows the deepest snow in the middle of the month, and the trees follow the mean temperature (all Sapporo normals). The clothing follows the Sapporo Tourism Association monthly guide. An ice day is a day when the temperature stays below 0℃. Days of 25℃+ are days when the high reaches 25℃ or more. Deepest snow is the monthly normal at the observation station. Snow depth varies by location.

Sapporo month by month: temperatures and clothing

Month	High	Low	What to wear
January	−0.4℃	−6.4℃	Down jacket or wool coat, Knit sweater, Thermal base layer, Boots with non-slip soles, Scarf, Gloves, Knit hat
February	0.4℃	−6.2℃	Down jacket or wool coat, Thick knit sweater, Thermal base layer, Boots with non-slip soles, Scarf, Gloves, Knit hat, Earmuffs
March	4.5℃	−2.4℃	Thermal base layer, Coat, Boots, Scarf, Heavy clothing
April	11.7℃	3.4℃	Long-sleeved shirt, Light coat
May	17.9℃	9.0℃	Long-sleeved shirt, Light layer, Sneakers
June	21.8℃	13.4℃	Short-sleeved top, Light layer
July	25.4℃	17.9℃	Short-sleeved shirt, Sandals
August	26.4℃	19.1℃	Short-sleeved top, Shorts, Cap, Sandals
September	22.8℃	14.8℃	Long-sleeved shirt, Light layer
October	16.4℃	8.0℃	Knit sweater, Light coat
November	8.7℃	1.6℃	Winter coat
December	2.0℃	−4.0℃	Coat, Knit sweater, Thermal base layer, Tights, Boots with non-slip soles, Scarf, Gloves

The clothing list is written for Sapporo. Asahikawa is colder than Sapporo in winter, and Kushiro stays cool even in summer, with highs around 20℃. Check the temperatures in the table if you are going elsewhere.

The basics: layers you can take off

In winter it is below freezing outside but warm indoors. Stay warm, and dress so you can adjust by taking layers off.
In winter a down jacket or thick coat is the safe choice. A hat, gloves and a scarf are essential.
Even in summer, mornings and evenings are cool, and the gap with daytime is large. Bring something light to put on.

Choosing shoes for winter in Hokkaido

Sneakers and leather soles are not suited to snowy roads, and unstable high heels are dangerous. Look for these three things in winter shoes.

Grip: soles that resist slipping
Waterproof: water does not soak through
Warm: your feet stay warm inside

No shoe is slip-proof on every surface.
Convenience stores and shoe shops in Sapporo sell grips you can attach to the shoes you are wearing.
Metal-pin grips are slippery indoors. Take them off before entering a building.

How to walk on snow, and where it is slippery

Take small steps.
Keep your weight forward and try to put your whole sole on the ground.
Do not hurry, and avoid suddenly changing speed.

Especially slippery places

White lines on pedestrian crossings
Where heated pavement ends
Entrances to subway stations and underground malls
Sidewalks where cars cross
Bus and taxi stops
Tiled underground malls and shop entrances

See the guide to walking on snow Hokkaido snowfall data by city and month

See Hokkaido right now

Live cameras in Hokkaido show the snow and what people are wearing on the street. The page is in Japanese. Hokkaido live cameras

Sources

Hokkaido, Tokyo and Osaka use Japan Meteorological Agency normals (1991–2020). Hong Kong and Singapore are 2004–2025 averages calculated from JMA world climate data. Taipei and Kaohsiung use normals (1991–2020) from Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration. Actual temperatures vary, so check the forecast before you leave. The sources below are mostly in Japanese.