Sapporo Winter Guide 2026: January & February Weather & Packing Tips

Hokkaido Sapporo Travel: January & February Weather

Real-time Outfit Guide & Our Itinerary

When we think of incredible winter destinations in Japan,

Sapporo almost always springs to mind first, doesn't it?

In January, Sapporo transforms into a breathtaking, snow-covered paradise,

where snow is a daily companion. It gets wonderfully chilly, so

preparing well before your trip is absolutely key!

Today, let's dive into ​Sapporo's January weather, get some real-time advice on what to wear,

and explore a fantastic 3-night, 4-day itinerary.

January Weather

Sapporo in January is right in the heart of winter,

with average temperatures hovering between a crisp -3°C and -12°C.

You can pretty much count on snow almost every day,

and even when it's not actively falling, the existing snow rarely melts,

leaving most roads and sidewalks beautifully blanketed.

However, thanks to Hokkaido's unique dry cold,

there are many days when the wind isn't strong, so it might actually

feel less harsh than you'd imagine.

Still, the wind itself can be incredibly nippy – your hands and ears will definitely feel it!

The sun begins to set around 4 PM, so it's a great idea to start

your outdoor adventures early in the morning.

What to Wear & Essential Gear

One of the absolute golden rules for a Sapporo trip is to wear proper

winter boots – definitely skip the regular sneakers!

Seriously, during this trip, I wore Ugg boots,

while my husband went with sneakers. And let me tell you,

he nearly slipped countless times, unlike me!

For my outfits, I layered up throughout the trip with Heattech innerwear and a knit sweater,

and a thick padded jacket.

For bottoms, I swapped jeans for fleece-lined pants,

and when I wore a skirt, it was always over fleece-lined tights.

But honestly, that skirt was purely for those 'pretty photo' moments,

and it was truly freezing... Only lasted one day, maximum!

+) A scarf, earmuffs, and gloves are non-negotiable essentials!

As you can see from the photos, if you don't bring gloves,

your hands won't last even 5 seconds out in the open air.

My husband didn't pack any of these and ended up so cold

that he bought earmuffs and gloves right there in Sapporo.

I didn't specifically buy waterproof spray, but the tips of my boots

did get quite dirty. If that's something that would bother you,

it might be a good idea to pick some up in Sapporo.

Our Itinerary

- Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower, Soup Curry

On our first day of the 3-night, 4-day adventure, we arrived in the afternoon and opted for a relaxed exploration of downtown Sapporo.

We enjoyed a lovely walk through Odori Park, admiring the illuminations, snapped some memorable photos in front of the iconic Sapporo TV Tower, and rounded off our evening with soup curry – a true Sapporo culinary delight!

For soup curry, popular spots include Suage, Garaku, and Bonanza.

Personally, I absolutely rave about the pork curry at Suage!

- Biei Tour (Christmas Tree, Blue Pond, Ningle Terraces),

Junpei, Asahiyama Zoo, Takushinkan

On Day 2, we kicked off our day bright and early for an unforgettable Biei tour.

The Biei tour typically features breathtaking sights like the Christmas Tree,

the ethereal Blue Pond, and the magical Ningle Terraces.

A pro tip: definitely book a tour that includes Ningle Terraces!

Since Shikisai no Oka (Panoramic Flower Gardens) isn't visited in winter,

a Biei tour without Ningle Terraces might feel a little less captivating.

Book Your Biei + Ningle Terrace Tour

*This code is only valid through the dedicated link,

so make sure to enter it!

For lunch, we dined at Junpei,

a spot where everyone on the Biei tour seems to go.

Reservations are not possible for general tourists;

only those with a tour booking can have the agency make a reservation for them.

This means it might be difficult to dine there right away if you're not on a tour.

It was delicious, and since there aren't many other great restaurants around this area,

I was really satisfied!

The Penguin Walk, a sight you can only experience during a winter Sapporo trip,

can be seen at Asahiyama Zoo near Biei,

but it's a course not usually included in tours.

Aren't their waddling steps just adorable?!

Typically, tours that cover the zoo, Ningle Terrace, and Biei are hard to find, but I discovered just one on Klook.

It has tons of reviews and high ratings too!

Zoo + Ningle Terrace + Biei Tour

Hokkaido Shiki-no-Oka & Blue Pond & Farm Tomita One-Day Tour - Klook Korea3ha.in

*This code is only valid through the dedicated link,

so make sure to enter it!

Besides these, I also visited Takushinkan and the Blue Pond,

but I opted for a rental car to have more flexibility with my time.

If you have experience driving in Japan,

I personally recommend renting a car over taking a tour!

Book Sapporo Rental Car at the Best Price

- Otaru Canal, Former Temiya Line Railway,

Sushidokoro Saika, Otaru Aquarium, Music Box Museum Main Building

On Day 3, we're off to explore Otaru!

It's just a 40-minute to 1-hour journey from Sapporo Station,

making it perfect for either an overnight stay or a fantastic day trip.

After strolling around the picturesque Otaru Canal, which is charming just to look at,

we'll snap some photos at the Former Temiya Line Railway.

Unlike the canal, the railway path sees fewer tourists,

so it's always a great spot for photos.

For lunch, we dined at a restaurant called 'Sushidokoro Saika',

located on Sushi Street. We arrived right at opening and got in without any waiting.

While the prices are quite high, you get a top-notch kaisendon in return.

It was a treat to savor!

Guess what? You can also catch a penguin walk in Otaru!

If you venture a little outside the city center to the Otaru Aquarium,

you'll discover not just penguins, but also amazing dolphin shows, seal performances, and so much more!

You can see a diverse array of animals there.

Personally, I found that compared to Asahiyama Zoo,

the Otaru Aquarium was a less crowded and more enjoyable experience!

Book Your Otaru Aquarium Tickets Here!

Finally, after admiring the steam clock in front of the Otaru Music Box Museum Main Hall,

I spent some time browsing the beautiful music boxes inside.

This spot is famously busy, bustling with people no matter when you visit,

so if you're not a fan of crowds, it's perfectly fine to give it a pass.

And that wraps up our guide to Sapporo in January—covering weather, what to wear, and a fantastic itinerary!

Got any questions? Drop them in the comments below! :)

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