Japan
Sapporo in January
❄️ Snowy winterCold and some showers.
🎒 Pack: winter coat, gloves & hat · compact umbrella or rain jacket
Why January scores 7.6What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort5.5
- !Cold (0°C highs / -6°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point -7.6°C)
- !Wet: ~108 mm rain, ~1 heavy-rain days
- Air quality9.6
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~8 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Jan | Jun | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.6 Very good | 9.4 Excellent |
| Season | ❄️ Snowy winter | ☀️ Summer |
| High / low | 0° / -6° | 22° / 13° |
| Rain | 108 mm | 60 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt -8° | dew pt 12° |
| PM2.5 | 8 µg/m³ | 14 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 & crowdsJanuary 2027
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- New Year 1–3 Jan · 3 days off in a row
- Coming of Age Day 9–11 Jan · 3 days off in a row
- 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 JanuaryTypical datesSnow 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 forecastPeak 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 actualFirst 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 datesFirst 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 datesUsually early-Oct to mid-Oct
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
Explore SapporoEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyCapital of Hokkaido in northern Japan, known for its Snow Festival, miso ramen, beer and access to ski resorts such as Niseko.
New Year (Hatsumōde)Across Japan
Shrine visits, temple bells and traditional foods to start the year.
Chinese New YearAcross Japan
Lunar celebrations in Yokohama Chinatown and Nagasaki.
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
Odori Park
A long park through the city centre, used for festivals year-round.
Sapporo TV Tower
A tower at the east end of Odori Park with an observation deck.
Sapporo Beer Museum
A museum on Japan's beer history in a red-brick building.
Mount Moiwa
A ropeway to a summit with night views of the city.
Otaru
A port town with a canal and glass workshops, a short train ride away.
Ski resortsgreat in Jan
Sapporo Teine and Kokusai are close; Niseko is a longer trip.
💡 Powder snow is best in mid-winter.
Miso ramen
Ramen in a rich miso broth.
💡 Ramen Yokocho in Susukino
Soup curry
A spicy, thin curry with vegetables and meat.
💡 Specialist restaurants
Jingisukan
Lamb grilled on a domed pan.
💡 Specialist restaurants
Seafood bowls
Rice topped with sea urchin, salmon roe and crab.
💡 Nijo Market
Soft-serve ice cream
Ice cream made with Hokkaido milk.
💡 Shops
Shiroi Koibito
White chocolate cookies made in Sapporo.
💡 Souvenir shops and the airport
Royce' chocolate
Chocolate from a Hokkaido company.
💡 Department stores
Dried seafood
Dried scallops and kelp.
💡 Markets
Sapporo Classic beer
A beer sold only in Hokkaido.
💡 Convenience stores
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
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