Sapporo Winter Packing List 2026: Essentials from My Trip
Sapporo is a top winter destination, where heavy snowfall is common. Get ready for your 2026 trip with my essential packing guide, highlighting what you truly need!
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Sapporo is a top winter destination, where heavy snowfall is common. Get ready for your 2026 trip with my essential packing guide, highlighting what you truly need!
Sapporo Winter Trip Packing List: The Ultimate Guide
Essentials I Discovered On My Trip
Words & Photos by Jjinsaengsu
Hi everyone, it's Jjinsaengsu here : )
If you visit Sapporo in winter,
the whole world is covered in snow,
making it a truly beautiful destination ❄️
When you're preparing for your first winter trip to Sapporo,
you might wonder, 'What on earth do I need to pack, and how much of it?'
That's certainly how I felt.
After all, it's a different level of challenge
compared to other regions in Japan... 🥲
Initially, I also thought
I'd need to pack a ton of different things,
but after actually going, I realized
there was a clear distinction between what was absolutely essential
and what I could easily do without.
So today, I'll be organizing a packing list
based on what I learned from my winter trip to Sapporo 🤍
Warm Padded Jacket (Puffer Coat)
It might seem obvious, but this is the most crucial item on your packing list.
Winter in Sapporo can feel
even colder than in Korea, so
a warm padded jacket is an absolute MUST!!!
Especially if your itinerary involves a lot of
walking outdoors while sightseeing,
a long padded jacket that covers your hips
will be much better than a shorter one.
However, once you go indoors,
many places are incredibly well-heated.
So, instead of piling on too many thick layers,
I recommend layering with a functional base layer, a knit sweater, and your padded jacket.
Heat-tech or Thermal Base Layers
Wearing thermal base layers underneath your padded jacket
is better than just a thick jacket alone.
Especially if you plan on spending a lot of time admiring the snow or sightseeing outdoors,
you'll really notice a difference in how warm you feel.
Since you'll be constantly moving between indoors and outdoors during your trip,
I found it more comfortable to wear multiple thin, warm layers
rather than overly thick clothes.
If you have cold hands/feet, Uggs or Winter Boots are a Must!
This is something I was really glad I packed‼️
I naturally have really cold hands and feet (Raynaud's syndrome),
so I absolutely, utterly hate winter, haha!
That's why I was pretty serious about
packing my cold-weather gear.
As it happened, I had an old pair of Uggs at home
that I was planning to throw away,
so I wore them on the trip and tossed them on the last day.
Honestly, if I hadn't had those Uggs,
I don't know how I would've survived my Sapporo trip!
Even if you think you handle the cold well,
after walking on snowy paths for a long time,
your feet will get surprisingly cold and chilly ㅠㅠ
Being fully prepared is essential...!!
Waterproof Footwear
This ties in with what I just said about Uggs...
On days with heavy snow, or when you're walking on slushy paths as the snow melts,
your shoes can get soaked.
And if you walk around in wet shoes,
your toes will be utterly miserable ㅠㅠㅠ
I highly recommend waterproof shoes if possible.
Portable Charger (Power Bank)
In cold weather,
batteries seem to drain faster than usual.
Since I had both my phone and a GoPro,
a portable charger was definitely an essential item for me.
Especially if you're going on the Biei tour,
where you'll be sightseeing all day, be sure to pack one!
The Biei Tour I Paid For Myself and Absolutely Loved (Booking Link)
Small Waterproof Pouch or Ziploc Bags
On snowy days, it's surprisingly useful to carry a few Ziploc bags
to protect your phone or other small belongings.
They're also handy for separately storing wet gloves or socks.
You can use them, so if you pack a few, they'll be very useful!
Colorful Clothes
This isn't really a 'must-pack' item,
but rather a tip for your Sapporo travel photos.
In winter Sapporo, seriously, wherever you go,
the background is often completely covered
with white snow.
That's why I felt that
if you wear clothes in a contrasting color,
your photos would turn out much more beautifully.
Rather than plain colors like black or beige,
when photographed against a backdrop of white snow,
vibrant, colorful clothes,
or accessories like scarves and hats really stand out.
If you prioritize your travel photos,
for winter Sapporo,
I recommend bringing at least one colorful accent piece.
Sunglasses
This is an unexpected item that people often forget,
but in places with a lot of accumulated snow, sunlight reflects off the snow,
which can be quite dazzling.
If you plan to walk around snowy fields for a long time on a clear day,
it's a good idea to pack a pair of sunglasses.
Plus, they look subtly great in photos too! 😎
Hot Packs, Gloves, Scarves, Earmuffs, Hats...
In addition to those, warming items like hot packs, gloves, scarves, earmuffs, and hats
are also essential.
Bringing hot packs, in particular, was a brilliant move for me.
I wondered if I should bother bringing them, thinking they might be heavy,
but once I actually arrived in Sapporo,
I ended up using two every single day... haha!
(Two hands = two hot packs)
Sapporo Winter Trip Crampons,
Are they really necessary?
If you search for Sapporo winter travel essentials,
you'll find many posts recommending crampons.
However, I didn't pack them separately,
and personally, assuming you're following a typical tourist itinerary,
I don't think they're an absolute must-have.
In fact,
if you're someone who doesn't normally use crampons,
the feeling of walking might feel awkward or uncomfortable.
It seemed like it could make walking feel awkward or uncomfortable.
Of course, if your itinerary involves many icy paths
or long walks through areas with deep snow,
it might be a good idea to prepare them according to the local conditions,
but if you're mainly focused on sightseeing within Sapporo city,
I'd first recommend preparing warm, slip-resistant shoes.
Ultimately, what I consider the key essentials for a Sapporo winter trip are:
✔️Warm padded jacket + thermal innerwear + warm shoes +
sunglasses + hot packs + gloves, scarf + portable charger
That's about it!
And instead of blindly packing crampons,
it's probably better to check your itinerary and the local weather
before deciding.
Prepare warmly for your Sapporo winter adventure
and capture lots of beautiful photos! ⛄️
The already famous White Shadow Biei Tour (bought with my own money, super satisfied!)
Japan SIM Card / eSIM (20% Discount Applied)
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Many places in Sapporo have good indoor heating, so it's better to dress in layers that can be adjusted rather than wearing too many thick clothes. A combination of functional innerwear, a knit sweater, and a padded jacket is recommended.
If you have cold hands and feet or plan to walk on snowy paths for a long time, it's essential to bring Ugg boots or winter boots. The author found their old Ugg boots so useful that they wore them throughout the trip and even discarded them on the last day. Additionally, waterproof shoes are recommended to prepare for slushy paths when the snow melts.
In cold weather, batteries can drain faster than usual, making a portable charger an essential item. It's especially crucial to bring one if you have a full day of sightseeing, such as a Biei tour.
The author concluded that crampons are not an absolute necessity if your winter trip to Sapporo focuses mainly on city sightseeing. Instead, it is primarily recommended to prepare warm and less slippery shoes.
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