What to wear in Hokkaido in May
In May, the average high in Sapporo is 17.9℃ and the average low is 9.0℃, 11.0℃ lower than the average high in Hong Kong. What to wear: Long-sleeved shirt, light layer, sneakers.
What to wear in Sapporo in May
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Light layer
- Sneakers
Clothing tips for May
Mild weather, when the cherry blossoms start to bloom. Most people switch to non-winter shoes, but it is still too early for sandals.
In May, the gap between the average high and low in Sapporo is 8.9℃. The average high is 6.2℃ higher than in April. With 200 hours of sunshine, it is the sunniest month of the year.
The illustration shows how the clothes combine. 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.
Sapporo in early, mid and late May
The normal high rises by 3.7℃ from early to late May. Adjust what you pack to when in the month you go.
| Period | High | Low | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early (1st–10th) | 16.1℃ | 7.3℃ | 23 mm |
| Mid (11th–20th) | 17.7℃ | 8.8℃ | 17 mm |
| Late (21st–end) | 19.8℃ | 10.7℃ | 16 mm |
Weather in four Hokkaido cities in May
| City | High | Low | Precipitation | Sunshine | Humidity | Days of 25℃+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | 17.9℃ | 9.0℃ | 56 mm | 200 hours | 65% | about 2 days |
| Hakodate | 17.0℃ | 8.0℃ | 89 mm | 198 hours | 73% | under 1 day |
| Asahikawa | 18.8℃ | 6.1℃ | 67 mm | 197 hours | 67% | about 3 days |
| Kushiro | 12.6℃ | 5.4℃ | 116 mm | 178 hours | 80% | 0 days |
Days of 25℃+ are days when the high reaches 25℃ or more.
Sapporo compared with your home city in May
Average highs and lows in each city, and how Sapporo’s average high compares.
| Home city | High | Low | Sapporo’s high is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 28.9℃ | 24.1℃ | 11.0℃ lower |
| Singapore | 32.3℃ | 25.9℃ | 14.4℃ lower |
| Taipei | 29.7℃ | 22.6℃ | 11.8℃ lower |
| Kaohsiung | 31.0℃ | 25.2℃ | 13.1℃ lower |
| Tokyo | 23.6℃ | 14.6℃ | 5.7℃ lower |
| Osaka | 24.9℃ | 16.0℃ | 7.0℃ lower |
Spring in Sapporo (March to May)
- March and the first half of April are still cold. Some days are sunny and warm, but nights get chilly, so wear layers you can adjust, such as a base layer and a coat or jacket.
- In March the roads turn to slush as snow melts and refreezes, so winter shoes or waterproof shoes and boots are best. By May most people wear ordinary shoes, but it is still too early for sandals.
- In spring, pollen from alder, Japanese yew and birch is in the air.
Other months
- JanuaryWinterHigh−0.4℃Low−6.4℃Down jacket or wool coat, Knit sweater, Thermal base layer
- FebruaryWinterHigh0.4℃Low−6.2℃Down jacket or wool coat, Thick knit sweater, Thermal base layer
- MarchSpringHigh4.5℃Low−2.4℃Thermal base layer, Coat, Boots
- AprilSpringHigh11.7℃Low3.4℃Long-sleeved shirt, Light coat
- MaySpringHigh17.9℃Low9.0℃Long-sleeved shirt, Light layer, Sneakers
- JuneSummerHigh21.8℃Low13.4℃Short-sleeved top, Light layer
- JulySummerHigh25.4℃Low17.9℃Short-sleeved shirt, Sandals
- AugustSummerHigh26.4℃Low19.1℃Short-sleeved top, Shorts, Cap
- SeptemberAutumnHigh22.8℃Low14.8℃Long-sleeved shirt, Light layer
- OctoberAutumnHigh16.4℃Low8.0℃Knit sweater, Light coat
- NovemberAutumnHigh8.7℃Low1.6℃Winter coat
- DecemberWinterHigh2.0℃Low−4.0℃Coat, Knit sweater, Thermal base layer
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.
Hokkaido Kurashi no Yomimono