Early winter · Weather & things to do
Otaru in December
Otaru cools off: highs slip to 31°F (0°C), from 44°F in November, with lows of 22°F (-6°C) and about 5.1 in (130 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 29/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 31°F (0°C)
- Avg low
- 22°F (-6°C)
- Rain or snow
- 5.1 in (130 mm)
- Humidity
- 93%
- Cloud cover
- 95%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 49 min
- Comfort score
- 29/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 31°F (0°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of 22°F (-6°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 5.1 in (130 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 95%.
Daylight is short, roughly 8 h 49 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May & June and September.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 22°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 49 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 37/100 in November to 29/100.
- Our Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano route recommends Jul – Aug, Jan – Feb, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 22°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 5.1 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Otaru in December
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Kitaichi Glass
Glassworks and shops; Kitaichi Hall is lit by 167 oil lamps.
Mount Tengu
Ropeway to a lookout over the town and Ishikari Bay, with skiing in winter.
Sakaimachi Street
Merchant street of Meiji-era buildings filled with glass, sweets and music boxes.
Otaru Canal
Canal lined with restored stone warehouses and gas lamps.
Masazushi
Family-run sushi house on Otaru's sushi street, open since 1938.
Nearby in December
- Sapporo in December~20 mi · highs 31°F, 5.1 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Furano and Biei in December~77 mi · highs 28°F, 3.8 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~279 m to Otaru's ~47 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Otaru in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Otaru?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 29/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May & June and September. Expect highs of 31°F (0°C) and 5.1 in (130 mm) of rain or snow. Our Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano route recommends Jul – Aug, Jan – Feb, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Otaru in December?
Average highs are 31°F (0°C) and average lows 22°F (-6°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Otaru in December?
Yes: about 5.1 in (130 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 50.1 in (1272 mm).
What should I pack for Otaru in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 22°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 5.1 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Otaru in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.