Hokkaido
Japan's northernmost main island, with powder snow and ski resorts in winter, volcanic mountains and wide plains that are easiest to reach by rental car.
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Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost main island and its second largest. It is separated from Honshu by the Tsugaru Strait and linked to it by rail through the Seikan Tunnel. Most visitors fly into New Chitose Airport, which sits at Chitose just south of Sapporo, the capital and largest city. Beyond the city, the center of the island is mountainous with volcanic plateaus, and the Kushiro Plain holds the largest wetland in Japan.
Winter is the busiest season. Snow usually starts in earnest in November, and ski resorts such as Niseko, Furano, Teine and Rusutsu usually run from December to April. Summer is cool, with August averages of about 17 to 22 °C, and the island is not hit by the June to July rainy season that affects the other main islands. The Ainu were the island's main inhabitants for centuries, and the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples shows their culture. Rural areas are spread far apart, so a rental car helps outside the cities. Decide between winter snow and a cool summer before you plan the route.
Hokkaido in five
- Fly into New ChitoseRapid trains reach Sapporo in about 40 minutes, and the airport also has direct buses to the city.Where to stay in Sapporo
- Rent a car in summerBuses and trains skip much of the east. Most visitors need an international driving permit to drive; a few countries' licenses need an official Japanese translation instead.JAF driving guide
- Book Snow Festival rooms earlySapporo's February festival fills hotels months ahead.Sapporo Snow Festival
- Take winter roads seriouslyRoads ice over from December. If you have never driven on snow, use trains and buses instead.
- Use Sapporo as a hub, not the whole tripFood, the Snow Festival and rapid trains to Otaru make a good start. Furano, Biei, Niseko and the east coast each need a night or more, so split the trip by region.Sapporo travel guide
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Hokkaido, the full guide
Sapporo
- Price band: $$
Hakodate
- Price band: $$
Otaru
A walk along the old canal, past converted warehouses and glass shops, makes a slow day out of Sapporo.
Niseko
Niseko draws skiers and snowboarders for its deep powder snow, and the area also suits summer visitors who come for hiking, cycling and hot springs.
Things to do in Hokkaido
See all attractions in Hokkaido
Need to know
- Airport
- New Chitose (CTS), about 40 min to Sapporo by rapid train
- Getting around
- Rental car, JR limited express, buses
- Best base
- Sapporo, then Furano or Niseko by season
- Winter
- Snow from December to March
- Time needed
- 5–7 days for Sapporo plus one region
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Poor
- JanuarySnow16 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-3°Low-9°Powder snowJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- -3°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Powder snow
- FebruarySnow16 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-9°Snow FestivalFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow Festival
- MarchSnow13 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh3°Low-4°Late skiingMarchSnow
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Late skiing
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh11°Low2°Thaw, quietAprilRain
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, quiet
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low7°Late blossomMayRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Late blossom
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Dry, long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, long days
- JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Lavender, fieldsJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 140 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Lavender, fields
- AugustRain16 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Warm, busyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 206 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Cool, clearSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain17 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh7°Low0°First snowNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
First snow
- DecemberSnow17 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-6°Winter startsDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Winter starts
Average daily high and low in Hokkaido, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Hokkaido
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 2°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 62%
Hokkaido
09:54 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today8°2°62%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 62%.
- Wed9°0°100%Wednesday: Snow. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu15°0°65%Thursday: Rain. High 15°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Fri16°3°86%Friday: Rain. High 16°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sat3°1°87%Saturday: Snow. High 3°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Sun1°0°63%Sunday: Snow. High 1°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 63%.
Updated 09:49 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- JulPacific Music FestivalSapporo, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Otaruabout 40 min by trainA harbor town with a canal, old stone warehouses and seafood restaurants, easy to reach from Sapporo.Read the guide
- Furanoabout 2 hours by trainSki slopes in winter and a base on the island's central volcanic plateau.Read the guide
- Asahikawaabout 1.5 hours by trainThe central region's core city, known for Asahiyama Zoo.Read the guide
Before you go to Hokkaido
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Rules for Hokkaido, checked
- Check visa and entry rules on the Immigration Services Agency of Japan website before you fly, since requirements depend on your passport.Source
- Declare meat, plants and other food on your arrival form. Customs officers may inspect bags, and some items are banned.
- Hokkaido has more brown bears than anywhere in Asia except Russia. On forest trails, make noise, carry a bell and follow posted bear warnings.
- Hokkaido is earthquake-prone. Note the evacuation route from your hotel and follow Japan Meteorological Agency warnings on your phone.
Plan around Hokkaido
Entry, money, rail passes and the best time to go
Read the guideSapporoThe gateway city, ramen and the Snow Festival
Read the guideTohokuAcross the strait: onsen towns and slow local lines
Read the guideBest time to visit JapanBlossom, autumn color, snow and typhoons
Read the guideTransport planningRental cars, trains and buses compared
Read the guideTravel insurance for JapanCover for ski claims and winter delays
Read the guideHokkaido FAQ
When is the best time to visit Hokkaido?
July for lavender and flower fields, September and October for cool weather and autumn color, January and February for powder and the Snow Festival. May and June are mild and quiet; April and November are the weakest months.
Do you need a car in Hokkaido?
In summer, yes, for Furano, Biei, Shiretoko and Lake Akan, where buses are sparse. Sapporo, Otaru and Hakodate work without one. In winter, use trains and buses unless you have driven on snow.
How many days do you need in Hokkaido?
Five to seven days covers Sapporo plus one region, such as Furano and Biei by car. Add days for Shiretoko or Hakodate; distances are far larger than they look on a map.
Is Hokkaido worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you want powder snow and the Snow Festival and can base in Sapporo or Niseko without driving. Snow starts in December, and festival rooms in February go early.
How do you get from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo?
By rapid train from the airport station in about 40 minutes, which is the simplest option. Buses also run to central Sapporo and some hotels.