SeasonScore
Sapporo, Japan
Photo: Chatama · CC0

Japan

Sapporo in December

❄️ Snowy winter

Cold and some showers.

🎒 Pack: winter coat, gloves & hat · compact umbrella or rain jacket

Best months: Jun (9.4), May (9.3), Jul (9.2)

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Why December scores 7.7What goes into the score

How it works
🌡️ 2° / -4°C🌧️ 115 mm💧 dew pt -5°🍃 PM2.5 8
  • Weather comfort5.7
    • !Cold (2°C highs / -4°C lows)
    • ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point -5.4°C)
    • !Wet: ~115 mm rain, ~2 heavy-rain days
  • Air quality9.5
    • ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~8 µg/m³)
  • Seasonal hazards10.0
    • ·No notable seasonal hazards
  • Safety baseline9.0
    • ·Normal precautions
Compare monthsPut December side by side with another month
DecJun
Score7.7 Very good9.4 Excellent
Season❄️ Snowy winter☀️ Summer
High / low2° / -4°22° / 13°
Rain115 mm60 mm
Humiditydew pt -5°dew pt 12°
PM2.58 µg/m³14 µg/m³

Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Sapporo weather-station normals. Rainfall: Sapporo weather-station normals (national met service).

Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026

Holiday week

A long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.

  • Year-end & New Year break 29 Dec – 3 Jan

    Most businesses and some attractions close; trains and flights are busy around the start and end. Source: Japan National Tourism Organization

National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).

Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Sapporo

  • Snowy daysIn DecemberTypical dates
    Snow likely Nov–Apr (most in Jan: ~29 days)

    Average number of days with snowfall at Sapporo. About 137 cm of snow falls in an average Jan.

    Source: Sapporo weather-station normals (national weather service, via Wikipedia climate table)

  • 2026 forecast: Jozankei Onsen2026 forecast
    Peak from ~9 Oct 2026

    Last year the peak began 16 Oct. JWA expects most of Japan to be on time or a little later than usual this year.

    Source: Japan Weather Association (tenki.jp), forecast 14 Oct 2026

  • Cherry blossom 2026 (what actually happened)2026 actual
    First blooms 18 Apr 2026, full bloom 24 Apr 2026

    Observed by JMA at the city's official sample tree. The 2027 forecast isn't out yet: Japanese weather companies such as the Japan Weather Association usually publish the first one in January, and we add it then.

    Source: Japan Meteorological Agency

  • Cherry blossomTypical dates
    First blooms ~1 May, full bloom ~6 May

    Typical dates (1991–2020 normal). In 2021–2026 first blooms came between 15 Apr and 23 Apr (18 Apr in 2026). Blossoms last about a week after full bloom.

    Source: Japan Meteorological Agency

  • Autumn leaves: Jozankei OnsenTypical dates
    Usually early-Oct to mid-Oct

    Usual peak viewing window for this spot.

    Source: Japan Weather Association (tenki.jp)

Explore SapporoEvents, sights, food & souvenirs

Check event dates locally

Capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan, known for its Snow Festival, miso ramen, beer and access to ski resorts such as Niseko.

Events in December
Autumn Foliage SeasonAcross Japan

Koyo maple viewing, especially in Kyoto, Nikko and the Japanese Alps.

Christmas & New Year IlluminationsAcross Japan

City light displays and year-end temple bell-ringing.

Coming up later

Sapporo Snow FestivalDate variesUsually early February

Large snow and ice sculptures displayed for about a week.

Why go: Hotels book up months ahead.

Where: Odori Park, Susukino and Tsudome

YOSAKOI Soran FestivalDate variesUsually early June

Large groups perform energetic dances.

Why go: Free to watch.

Where: Odori Park and city streets

Sapporo Summer FestivalDate variesUsually late July to mid-August

Beer gardens set up in Odori Park.

Why go: Busy in the evenings.

Where: Odori Park