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Best time to visit · Japan

Best Time to Visit Sapporo

May & June and September are the best time to visit Sapporo on the climate data: June scores 81/100, with highs around 70°F (21°C) and 3.3 in (83 mm) of rain. July and October are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are December & January, mainly because of cool days.

Sapporo, Japan
Best months
May & Jun and Sep
Shoulder
Jul and Oct
Toughest
Dec & Jan
Warmest
Aug · 78°F
Coldest nights
Feb · 17°F
Wettest
Aug · 6.3 in
Driest
Apr · 2.4 in

Sapporo weather by month

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.

5°14°23°32°41°50°59°68°77°86°28°Jan29°Feb36°Mar49°Apr62°May70°Jun76°Jul78°Aug71°Sep59°Oct44°Nov31°Dec0100200
Daily low → high (°F)Monthly rain (mm, right axis)Best months
Monthly climate averages for Sapporo, 2001–2025
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg high28°F-2°C29°F-2°C36°F2°C49°F9°C62°F17°C70°F21°C76°F25°C78°F26°C71°F22°C59°F15°C44°F7°C31°F0°C
Avg low17°F-8°C17°F-8°C24°F-5°C34°F1°C44°F7°C53°F12°C61°F16°C64°F18°C56°F14°C44°F7°C33°F1°C22°F-6°C
Rain/snow4.1 in103 mm3.3 in83 mm2.8 in72 mm2.4 in62 mm2.9 in74 mm3.3 in83 mm4.8 in121 mm6.3 in160 mm5.4 in137 mm4.6 in118 mm5.1 in129 mm5.1 in130 mm
Humidity94%92%91%84%82%84%86%86%85%84%88%93%
Cloud92%88%82%72%69%72%75%74%71%75%85%92%
Comfort333639587881635975663829

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 Sapporo's ~36 m (118 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.

How we pick the best months

  • Temperature (40 pts): full marks for average daytime highs of 64–81°F (18–27°C); minus 3 points per °C below and 4 per °C above.
  • Rain (25 pts): full marks up to 40 mm (1.6 in) a month, falling to zero at 250 mm (9.8 in).
  • Humidity (15 pts): only counts when it is warm (mean above 18°C); minus 0.75 points per % above 70% relative humidity.
  • Cloud (20 pts): full marks at 30% cloud cover or less, falling to zero at 90%.
Best months: within 6 points of the top (or 85+). Shoulder: within 18 and at least 45. Toughest: within 6 of the lowest. Comfort only; crowds, prices, festivals and openings aren't scored.

Sapporo season by season

Winter Dec – Feb

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 & January), averaging 33/100.

Spring Mar – May

Temperatures climb through the season, from 36°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 58/100).

Summer Jun – Aug

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 68/100.

Autumn Sep – Nov

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 60/100).

What our curated routes say

Plan by month

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.

Sapporo weather questions

When is the best time to visit Sapporo?

May & June and September are the best time to visit Sapporo on the climate data: June scores 81/100, with highs around 70°F (21°C) and 3.3 in (83 mm) of rain. July and October are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are December & January, mainly because of cool days.

What is the rainiest month in Sapporo?

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).

What is the coldest month in Sapporo?

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).

Is Sapporo humid in summer?

Yes: in July & August humidity averages 86% with warm temperatures, so it feels muggy. Summer highs peak around 78°F (26°C).

Does it get below freezing in Sapporo?

On average, yes: lows fall below 32°F (0°C) in December – March, bottoming out around 17°F (-8°C) in February.

Weather nearby

Routes and legs

Pick your Sapporo dates together

Poll the group on May & June and September dates, then plan the days, packing and costs together.

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