Get the app
Best time to visit · Japan
On the climate data, the best time to visit Otaru is May & June and September, scoring up to 79/100 with highs around 70°F (21°C) and 3.3 in (83 mm) of rain in June. July and October are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are December – February, mainly because of cool days.
Highs run from 28°F to 78°F across the year, and the yearly total is about 50.1 in (1272 mm) of rain and snow.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high | 28°F-2°C | 29°F-2°C | 35°F2°C | 49°F9°C | 62°F16°C | 70°F21°C | 76°F25°C | 78°F26°C | 71°F22°C | 58°F15°C | 44°F7°C | 31°F0°C |
| Avg low | 17°F-8°C | 17°F-8°C | 24°F-5°C | 33°F1°C | 44°F7°C | 53°F12°C | 61°F16°C | 63°F17°C | 56°F13°C | 44°F7°C | 33°F1°C | 22°F-6°C |
| Rain/snow | 4.1 in103 mm | 3.3 in83 mm | 2.8 in72 mm | 2.4 in62 mm | 2.9 in74 mm | 3.3 in83 mm | 4.8 in121 mm | 6.3 in160 mm | 5.4 in137 mm | 4.6 in118 mm | 5.1 in129 mm | 5.1 in130 mm |
| Humidity | 94% | 92% | 91% | 84% | 82% | 84% | 86% | 86% | 85% | 84% | 88% | 93% |
| Cloud | 96% | 93% | 82% | 73% | 75% | 78% | 79% | 75% | 70% | 74% | 87% | 95% |
| Comfort | 33 | 35 | 39 | 57 | 76 | 79 | 62 | 59 | 75 | 66 | 37 | 29 |
Source: NASA POWER (public domain), 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km satellite and reanalysis grid, so coasts and valleys can differ from what's shown. Temperatures were adjusted from the grid cell's ~279 m (915 ft) to Otaru's ~47 m (154 ft) elevation using the standard lapse rate of 6.5°C per 1,000 m. Precipitation includes snow as melted water; daylight is calculated from latitude. Check a forecast before you go.
The cold peaks here: highs of 28–31°F (-2–0°C), and nights reach 17°F (-8°C). About 12.4 in (316 mm) of rain or snow falls across these months, 25% of the year's total. December – February are cold enough for snow. It holds the toughest stretch on our comfort score (December – February), averaging 32/100.
Temperatures climb through the season, from 35°F highs in March to 62°F by May. It's the driest season, with only about 8.2 in (208 mm) of rain or snow, 16% of the year's total. March is cold enough for snow. May is among the best-scoring months (season average 57/100).
The warmest stretch of the year, with highs of 70–78°F (21–26°C). About 14.3 in (364 mm) of rain falls across these months, 29% of the year's total. July & August feel humid, with humidity near 86%. Comfort peaks here: June ranks with the year's best, and the season averages 67/100.
Temperatures slide from 71°F highs in September to 44°F by November. It's the wettest season, with about 15.1 in (384 mm) of rain, 30% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 33°F (1°C). September is among the best-scoring months (season average 59/100).
By comfort score: 3 Great, 2 Good, 2 Fair and 5 Tough. Great months: May & June and September. Tap a month for its own guide.
On the climate data, the best time to visit Otaru is May & June and September, scoring up to 79/100 with highs around 70°F (21°C) and 3.3 in (83 mm) of rain in June. July and October are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are December – February, mainly because of cool days.
August is the wettest month, averaging about 6.3 in (160 mm) of rain. April is the driest, with about 2.4 in (62 mm). The yearly total is around 50.1 in (1272 mm).
February is the coldest, with average lows of 17°F (-8°C) and highs of 29°F (-2°C). The warmest is August, with average highs of 78°F (26°C).
Yes: in July & August humidity averages 86% with warm temperatures, so it feels muggy. Summer highs peak around 78°F (26°C).
On average, yes: lows fall below 32°F (0°C) in December – March, bottoming out around 17°F (-8°C) in February.
Share this with your crew, run a quick poll on dates in TripsCircle, then build the itinerary, packing list and shared costs in one place.
