When is the Best Time to Visit Sapporo?

Last Updated on March 10, 2025 by Audrey

When is the best time to visit Sapporo? Here's when you should book your visit...

I absolutely love Sapporo, and one of the best things about this city is that it thrives in literally every season. 

I visited in early May for cherry blossom season and absolutely fell in love with the city for all the things there were to do and the incredible food. I’m glad I visited when I did, because the weather was great, the flowers were blooming, and the whole experience was just awesome. 

However, while May is one of the best times to visit this city, after doing my research I found that it’s not the only best time. So I’m already planning my next trip back!

I’ll explain my reasoning below, based on my knowledge of Sapporo’s weather, festivities, and my own personal experiences. Here’s everything you need to know about the best time to visit Sapporo!

Seasons in Sapporo

Winter is one of the most popular times to visit this snowy metropolis, as the Sapporo Snow Festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see grand intricate sculptures take over Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome.

In the spring, beautiful cherry blossoms bloom all over the city, and the locals grill jingisukan (genghis khan) underneath the falling flowers. May is undeniably one of my favorite times to visit!

When autumn comes, the entire city becomes wrapped in vibrant sunset colors. Hokkaido University in particular turns into a golden haven with the countless elm and ginkgo trees that color the streets.

Sapporo has the perfect weather in summer, as the northern region has noticeably cooler temperatures than the rest of Japan. You can enjoy hiking the lush green landscapes instead of sweating down in a city down south.

Now, I could go on and on about why Sapporo is a city you can visit in every month and season, but I know you came here to find out the best time to visit Sapporo. Don’t worry, I got you!

Let me break everything down to the nitty-gritty details so you can pick which time will suit your needs best.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is indisputably one of the best seasons to visit Sapporo, if not the best season.

The city sees almost 20 feet of snowfall every year, so every single snow-based activity you can imagine can be done here. 

Coupled with the energy of a bustling city, winter in Sapporo is straight-up magic. You can sled down hills, ski, or snowboard until your knees can’t handle it anymore, and warm up with some soup curry. 

Not to mention Sapporo’s biggest festival of the year, the Sapporo Snow Festival, takes place every February. Here’s why winter reigns king as the most popular time to visit Sapporo.

✨ Best time in winter to visit Sapporo: February for the Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival in early February is the city’s biggest annual event, drawing in over 2 million visitors every year.

For a whole week, the city makes use of those fluffy, delicate snowflakes decorating the streets and create intricate, humongous snow and ice sculptures that illuminate Susukino, Odori Park, and Tsu Dome. While you’ll find incredible sculptures all over, the activities vary a bit in each area:

📍 Odori Park: The heart of the festival, featuring giant snow sculptures, light displays, and interactive attractions. (Make sure you don’t miss heading up to the observatory in Sapporo TV Tower for a breathtaking aerial view of the illuminated works of art)!
📍 Susukino: The city’s downtown area turns into a sculpture zone, where you’ll find over 100 ice sculptures shimmering under the building’s colorful screens.
📍 Tsudome: A family-oriented area with large hills perfect for snow slides and snow rafting. There are lots of food stalls around with seasonal snacks.

At night, the entire festival comes alive. The snow sculptures that were already captivating in the daylight become lit up with rainbow colors, and there are projection light shows.

Food stalls cook up warm miso ramen, yakitori skewers, takoyaki, and other seasonal foods perfect for the cold temperatures. 

👉 Pro tip: This immensely popular event gets booked up very quickly, so make sure to plan your stay 3 months in advance if you plan on attending the Sapporo Snow Festival. 

Winter Wonderland and Snow Activities

Here are some of the most popular snow activities to do in Sapporo during the winter. There’s endless powder here, so from horseback riding to ice fishing, heck, even riding on an ice breaker ship is possible in Sapporo during Winter. 

However, if I tried to list everything this article would end up being 10,000 words, and neither you nor I would appreciate reading that. For a full list of things you can do in Sapporo in Winter, check out my separate post here. 

Skiing and Snowboarding

Sapporo is known to be one of the best places in Japan for snow sports, with perfect powder and scenic slopes that let you look down at the city below as you glide down the mountain.

It’s also much more affordable than skiing in America, with a lift ticket being $40-50/day (versus $200 in California, where I’m from!).

The ski resorts aren’t too far from the city, with Sapporo Teine located only 30 minutes away, and Sapporo Kokusai an hour away. There are easy shuttles you can hop on for quick access to the resort and back.

You’ll be able to find runs able to accommodate every skill level here, whether you want to skate around the greens or want to test out your Olympic athlete skills.

👍 Pro tip: Check the Sapporo Teine & Sapporo Kokusai live cams to see the weather conditions in real time before heading up.

More Ways to Ski in Sapporo

📍 Takino Suzuran Hillside Park: A great place to rent ski equipment and try some easy cross-country skiing.
📍 Moerenuma Park: This large artsy park actually lets you rent out ski equipment for a chill, easy snow day!

Winter Hokkaido Delicacies to Try

🍜 Miso Ramen

Sapporo is the birthplace of miso ramen, known for its rich, umami-packed broth made from miso (fermented soybeans). It’s the perfect winter comfort food.

You can add a local touch by topping it with butter and corn.

Some of the best spots to try it are Ramen Shingen, Ebisoba Ichigen, or the iconic Sapporo Ramen Alley in Susukino.

🍶 Hot Sake (Atsukan)

Hot sake is a perfect way to warm up on a cold Sapporo winter night. You can find hot sake in izakayas, ramen shops, and bars throughout the city, or grab a bottle from a local liquor shop to enjoy in your hotel after a long day out in the snow.

🍲 Ishikari Nabe

Hot pot is one of my favorite foods, so you know I had to try it the Hokkaido way! This hot pot has fresh salmon in a simmering miso base, and you can add tofu, a side of vegetables, and even some butter to the mix.

This hotpot draws its name from Ishikari, a city only about a 45-minute drive from Sapporo. Try this regional cuisine in a traditional izakaya or seafood restaurant in the city. 

Winter Tours in Sapporo

While there are already more than enough things to do to keep you busy during Sapporo’s winter season, it’s worth taking a day to break out of the city and explore some of the other areas in Hokkaido. 

Getting around can be tricky if you don’t have a car, as some areas aren’t yet easily accessible by the train system. I took a guided tour for one day around Hokkaido and really enjoyed it because I got to visit multiple cities and see some amazing natural phenomena all in the span of hours. 

Top Winter Tours in Sapporo

Are Winter Tours Worth It?

I highly recommend taking a winter tour in Sapporo! Although Sapporo is the biggest city, Hokkaido is huge and has diverse landscapes, many of which are undiscoverable without a car. 

A guided tour saves time, energy, and stress, allowing you to see tons of amazing sights in a single day while staying warm and comfortable (with a driver, no less). 

🚍 Most tours include transportation from Sapporo, so check the details and book early for an epic winter adventure!

Spring (March to May)

Spring in Sapporo is a mesmerizing time. The endless snowfall that covered the city during Winter begins to clear up, and flowers start to bloom. 

The best part about Spring in Sapporo is getting to watch the cherry blossoms bloom all over the city, and not too soon afterward Sapporo celebrates the Lilac Festival to honor the city’s designated flower. 

✨ Best time in spring to visit Sapporo: Late April to early May for cherry blossom season

The Lilac Festival

While it may not be as famous as the Sapporo Snow Festival, the Lilac Festival is a must-visit spring event that brings the city to life around mid to late May. The city’s designated tree, the lilac, blooms in full force, announcing the start of spring.

The festivities are located in and around Odori Park, where over 400 lilac trees fill the air with a sweet floral scent. You’ll get to sip on local Hokkaido wines and listen to live music under the spring sun. You even get to bring home a lilac sapling to bring home as a souvenir!

Like all great Japanese festivals, this one comes with seasonal snacks and an amazing atmosphere. I love attending Japanese festivals because the energy is so lively, there are fun games and sooo many snacks, and it’s a truly immersive experience of local culture. Plus, the lilacs will be utterly beautiful and you’ll get some great photos. 

Watch the cherry blossoms fall

Cherry blossom season in Japan is utterly famous, and rightfully so. During this short but breathtaking season, the whole country takes a moment to enjoy hanami, the practice of appreciating the transient bloom of these beautiful flowers. 

Due to Hokkaido’s cooler climate, Sapporo’s Sakura season arrives later than the rest of Japan, usually in late April to early May. The later season really helped me out the first time I visited Hokkaido, as I was going to miss the blooming season in Tokyo, and Sapporo was my last chance to see sakura.

One thing special about Sapporo is that locals celebrate in a unique way. Jingisukan, also known as Genghis Khan, is a Hokkaido regional specialty where lamb barbecue is grilled on a dome grill and enjoyed right at the park, under the cherry blossoms!

It’s a super fun and special way to honor hanami in Hokkaido, and lots of vendors around the parks will allow you to rent a grill and the ingredients so you can enjoy it without a hassle. 

If grilling hot meat in the fresh spring air as the soft pink flowers fall around you peacefully sounds enticing, plan your visit during May.

Best Parks for Cherry Blossom Viewing

Now that you're convinced that Spring is one of the best times to visit Sapporo, let’s talk about where you should break out the barbecue grill (and maybe bring some plum wine?!). Here are the best spots in Sapporo for cherry blossom viewing!

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Maruyama Park & Hokkaido Shrine

One of the best places to experience hanami in Sapporo is Maruyama Park (one of my personal favorites).

There are hundreds of cherry blossom trees here, plus the park is directly connected to Hokkaido Shrine, a wonderful Shinto Shrine. 

During my visit in May, we visited Hokkaido Shrine first to make wishes, pray, and purchase lucky charms to bring back home. There were a couple of cherry blossom trees in Hokkaido Shrine already, but when we walked over to Maruyama Park there were many more varieties of flowers in bloom. You’ll get to see magnolias and plum blossoms in addition to sakura.

There are also street vendors around the area that sell snacks and host traditional games, so the atmosphere is pretty festive and lively!

Moerenuma Park

If you want a less crowded spot for hanami, you should head over to Moerenuma Park. 

This unique art park was designed by the renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi, and has 4 large-scale interactive art installations that are a marvel to look at. In addition to the aesthetic Glass Pyramid, there are 1,900 cherry blossom trees scattered all throughout the park. 

Since it’s a little far from the rest of the attractions in Sapporo, it’s a pretty peaceful area with fewer crowds, but one of the most dazzling places to see the cherry blossoms.

Odori Park

Odori Park is one of the most popular places to see cherry blossoms, and it’s the most convenient as it’s right in the heart of Sapporo. Because of that, you can expect it to be a little busy too.

Odori is a large street park that spans 3 blocks, and long rows of cherry blossoms create a soft pink contrast to the urban skyline. It’s super easy to stop by here as you explore the rest of the city, and there are a lot of cafes, shops, and restaurants nearby to grab food for a nice picnic. 

Asahiyama Park

If you want the best view, then Asahiyama Park will probably be the best choice. This park sits on the slopes of Mount Moiwa and has a stunning panoramic view of Sapporo. 

It’s a quieter hanami location since it’s out of the way, but one of the most perfect places to enjoy a picnic under the blossoming flowers. 

If you’re familiar with California, it kind of reminds me of Dolores Park in San Francisco, the way you can admire the city from an elevated area. 

If you stay until sunset, you’ll get to enjoy the flowers against the setting sun and the city lights. It’s incredibly romantic, and best of all... It’s free!

Nakajima Park

A peaceful retreat near Susukino, Nakajima Park is perfect for a relaxed hanami experience in the middle of the city. 

The highlight is Shobu-ike Pond, where you can rent a boat and float beneath the cherry blossoms—one of the most unique hanami experiences in Sapporo. 

With open spaces, it’s also a great spot for families or anyone looking for a quiet spring stroll.

Summer (June to August)

Summer in Japan can typically be terribly hot and humid in cities like Tokyo and Osaka. However, Sapporo stays refreshingly cool, and the lower temperatures make Hokkaido the perfect summer getaway.

Nature is found all over the northern region, and during the summertime vibrant flower fields and lush greenery bloom. Hokkaido turns into a colorful paradise! It’s ideal for hiking and outdoor activities, with clear sunny skies and perfect temperatures. It’s also a great time to sample all kinds of Hokkaido dishes, as tons of regional foods are ripe and ready to enjoy. 

Summer is also the time for tons of amazing festivals in Sapporo. You’ll get to see dazzling fireworks and fun beer events. I loved attending a matsuri, and you’ll have a better chance of doing so in the summertime. 

✨ Best time in summer to visit Sapporo: Mid-July to mid-August For the Sapporo Summer Festival 

Seasonal cuisines

Hokkaido is well known for having amazing food, some of the best in Japan! Here are Sapporo foods that are best to try during summertime.

Hanasaki Crab

This spiny king crab is in season from July to September. It’s fished from Nemuro, on the east Hokkaido coast, and is known for its sweet flavor. Try it boiled, kanimeshi (seasoned rice with crab), or in hot pot (Shabu)! 

Hokkai shrimp

These shrimp are fished just twice a year during summer and fall. The flavor is plump, chewy, and sweet, and the shrimps are boiled as soon as they’re caught for maximum flavor. It tastes great with a Sapporo beer!

Uni

I have to say, I never liked uni whenever I tried it in the States, whether it was from California or New York. Most uni I’ve tried has an aftertaste that I’m not really fond of.

But the sea urchin in Japan tastes totally different. It’s rich and creamy and has a hint of sweetness. Overall, it tastes so fresh, and summer is the perfect time to give it a try if you haven’t before. 

Hokkaido soft serve

Hokkaido milk is famous worldwide for its creamy, sweet vanilla flavor. So there’s no better place to try a soft serve of Hokkaido ice cream than when you’re in the region! 

Ice cream and summertime go hand in hand, and Hokkaido ice cream is next level. I brought lactaid from home just so I could enjoy it and it was the best decision I made all trip. And their soft serve tastes even better if you get it with… 

Fresh melon

Hokkaido melons ripen in the summer, and the flavor is unimaginably sweet, juicy, and very refreshing. There are some different varieties that you’ll see being sold all throughout the city. And as I mentioned, you should definitely try a combo of soft-serve ice cream with a bowl of fresh melon for an amazing dessert made of regional ingredients. 

👍 Pro tip: If you want to try the cream of the crop, the Yubari melon is the most famous (and most expensive) type. 

Sweet Corn

Hokkaido corn is ridiculously sweet and buttery, and you’ll find it grilled at markets or sold fresh from farms.

Sapporo Summer Festival

Sapporo Summer Festival (Sapporo Natsu Matsuri) is a city-wide celebration that includes the beer garden festival, bon odori dances, and seasonal food stalls. It lasts for nearly a whole month, ranging from mid-July to mid-August.

The whole city celebrates, and you’ll find different festivals happening all over the city: the Sapporo Odori Beer Garden in Odori Park, the Tanuki Festival in Tanukikoji shopping street, the Susukino Festival, and so much more. 

While each festival may be a little different, they are typically similar in various aspects. It gets crowded, but the vibes are impeccable. There are lots of food vendors and game stalls, you’ll see some amazing performances, and in general, it’s just a good time.

Hokkai Bon Odori

Although the city will have a festival all season, one of the largest events during the month is the Hokkai Bon Odori in mid-August. 

This event honors the spirits of ancestors who return once a year (during Obon) to visit their families, and they are celebrated in the most liveliest way possible. 

It’s one of the most important events of the year, and each region performs either a signature dance or drum show that everyone is encouraged to learn and join. It’s a rare opportunity where you can wear yukata, join the Bon Odori circle, and experience the wonderful matsuri for yourself. 

Toyohira River Fireworks Festival

Sapporo has about three big fireworks festivals throughout the summer, and the last is the Toyohira Fireworks.

The Toyohira River bank is only about a 10-minute walk from Odori Park and Susukino, so this event is quite popular due to its convenient location.

Fireworks start at 19:30 and last for about an hour, with over 4,000 fireworks illuminating the clear sky and reflecting over the river. Locals set up picnics along the river, and it’s a wonderful way to enjoy a Japanese summer. 

👉 Pro tip: This festival gets very crowded, so it’s recommended to come early. Don’t forget to bring something to sit on! 

Summer Festival Dates

As many of these festivals overlap, here’s a general schedule of each festival: 

Hokkaido Shrine Festival: June 14-June 16

• Floats and portable shrines parade through Sapporo City, with ritual prayers and offering dances.

Sapporo Beer Garden Festival: Mid July-Mid August

• Sample domestic and international beers in Odori Park

Tanuki Festival: Late July-Mid August

• Tanukikoji shopping street becomes decorated with Tanuki (raccoon dog)

Toyohira River Firework Festival: Last weekend of July

• See a large fireworks show along the Toyohira River banks. 

Susukino Festival: First Week of August

• Sapporo’s downtown area hosts a three day festival and closes off the street for parades and dance performances, starting with the Taiko Drums. 

Hokkai Bon Odori: Mid-August

• Regions perform dance and drum shows and everyone joins in. 

👉 Pro tip: Guests are recommended to visit the festival during the weekday, as nights and weekends get pretty packed with locals. 

Outdoor Activities and Day Trips

As I said before, summer is the perfect time to explore Sapporo’s stunning landscapes. You can hike the mountains near the city for incredible views, or take a quick day trip to adjacent cities and see rainbow flower fields and vibrant waters. Here are my favorite things during summer in Sapporo: 

Recommended Hikes in Sapporo

Hike Mount Teine

Mount Teine is the highest peak in Sapporo, and has dramatic panoramic views of Sapporo and Ishikari Bay. It’s pretty recognizable as there are a ton of antennas on it. While it’s a popular skiing mountain during winter, during the summer time you can hike to the top for a great view plus see some waterfalls along the way.

Honestly, the hike is to the summit is pretty challenging, with an elevation of about 1,000 meters or 3,200 feet, plus a portion of it is rock scrambling. However, the waterfalls along the way help keep your motivation up! It takes around 2-3 hours to get to the top, so it’s about a 5 hour hike roundtrip. 

👉 Pro tip: If you love the outdoors and want to enjoy the view without the hike, there’s an access road you can drive up!

Hike Mount Moiwa

For a shorter hike without compromising on views, Mount Moiwa is quicker and more accessible than Mount Teine. This is pretty much the long version of the Mount Moiwa Ropeway, which takes you to the observatory at the top. 

The Mount Moiwa hike will take about 3 hours in total, with stunning views of the city accompanying you the whole way. The ascent is 370 meters, and it’s a pretty easy hike that any age group will be able to complete.

Keep in mind though that you’ll share the summit with people coming from the Ropeway though, so it can be very crowded at the top sometimes. 

Recommended Day Trips From Sapporo

Here are my top cities to visit from Sapporo during summertime. I recommend these cities because they’re either easy to visit for a quick day trip, or they’ll be perfect to visit during summer. 

I have a separate post about all the possible day trips from Sapporo, so I recommend checking that out for more options. 

Otaru

Otaru is a great day trip option because it’s only 30 minutes from Sapporo by direct train. This charming port city is filled with cute boutique shops and has a large canal reminiscent of Venice canals. 

You can wander along Sakaimachi Hondori Street, try delicious wagyu skewers and fresh uni, and visit all the shops in between snacks. My personal favorite stores were a bonsai shop that sells preserved bonsai trees, a personalized chopsticks store, and a store dedicated to little frog sculptures (so cute and unique!). 

It’s also perfect weather to take a gondola down the canal if you’d like. I didn’t get a chance to because I spent all my time there shopping, but I heard it’s popular! Check my dedicated day trip post for more details.

Furano

Furano is Hokkaido’s flower paradise, and is most famous for Farm Tomita, which has endless lavender fields that bloom from late June to the beginning of August. 

Aside from being able to walk along the fields and take some stunning photos, there are also dried flower workshops, lavender ice cream, and tons of lavender products to take home. 

Furano is about a 2-hour train ride from Sapporo, but you can also combine it with Biei for a full day of stunning scenery. There are great tours that include both with convenient transportation from Sapporo that you can check out.

Biei

Biei is a breathtaking city to see, with rainbow-colored stripes of flowers that seem to go on endlessly. The town has a captivating rural charm that is much different than the busy streets of Sapporo.

There are two really popular spots to visit in Biei. The first is Shikisai-no-Oka, which is an incredible landscape of flower fields planted in a way that creates vibrant stripes across the hills. The second is the Shirogane Blue Pond, a naturally vibrant turquoise lake just outside of Biei in Aoiike. 

The blue pond is interesting since it’s a natural phenomenon, so if you’re already in Biei I recommend swinging by. Don’t go out of your way just to see this one though, since it is just a pond in the end. 

🌷 Here is a tour that combines Furano and Biei for a full day around Hokkaido! 🌷

Fall (September to November)

Autumn in Sapporo is absolutely breathtaking, as the entire city and the surrounding mountains become enveloped in vibrant red, orange, and yellow foliage. Though to be fair, I’m sure you’re starting to pick up that since Sapporo is surrounded by natural beauty, it tends to look beautiful in every season.

The famous foods that the city is well known for are also perfect to enjoy when the temperatures drop since they are so filling, warm, and hearty. Here’s what to do (and eat) in Sapporo during fall. 

✨ Best time in autumn to visit Sapporo: Late October to early November because it’s peak foliage season.

Sapporo Autumn Dishes to Enjoy

🦀 King crab

While Hokkaido is known for its amazing seafood, crab is always up there as a must-try in Sapporo. Especially king crab, which is one of the most luxurious delicacies you can try, and coincidentally is in peak season during fall!

These crabs are kings for a reason. They’re humongous, meaty, and naturally sweet. You can try them fresh at Nijo Market or Curb Market, where you can pick a live crab and have it prepared on the spot.

Sapporo also has a crab specialty restaurant like Kani Honke, where you can have crab prepared in every single way.

🍛 Soup curry

Soup curry is the regional specialty Sapporo is most well known for, and also makes for the perfect comfort food to enjoy during the colder seasons. 

While traditional Japanese curry tends to have a thicker, saucier composition, soup curry’s broth is lighter yet still packed with flavor. Typical bowls come with rice, a choice of meat (lamb, pork, or chicken), and a rainbow of roasted veggies. I definitely recommend trying it while you’re in the city and seeing which variety you prefer. 

👉 Pro tip: I recommend trying soup curry at Garaku or Suage+. Both are great soup curry restaurants and are located in Susukino, the city’s downtown district. 

🐟 Hokkaido Autumn Salmon (Aki-zake)

Hokkaido salmon, also known as Aki-zake (“autumn salmon”), is best enjoyed in autumn… as the name may suggest. There are tons of ways to enjoy this regional fish. You can try it grilled, in a donburi (rice bowl), in a rice ball, or as ikura (fish roe). 

I highly recommend stopping by Nijo Market or Sapporo Curb Market to try this fish fresh. My personal favorite is as a donburi since I love raw fish, but for a more “autumn-y experience” you can try Chan Chan Yaki, a local Hokkaido dish where salmon is grilled on an iron plate and served with miso, butter, and veggies.

Stunning Autumn Foliage around Sapporo

Ginkgo Avenue at Hokkaido University 

One of the best spots to admire peak foliage season is Ginkgo Avenue around Hokkaido University. The university is surrounded by elm and ginkgo trees, and from late October until early November the trees turn into a seemingly endless golden tunnel. 

The beautiful scene is short-lived, only lasting about a few weeks, so make sure you don’t skip this spot for some stunning images that look straight out of a fairy tale. While you’re at the University, you can also check out the Hokkaido University Museum and the Botanic Gardens. 

Nakajima Park

Nakajima is a tranquil park located in downtown Sapporo, is a calming getaway from the bustling city life. The park has Japanese gardens, a large pond that you can rent boats and explore, and historical buildings like the Hokeikan, the only hotel ever built by the Meiji Government. 

The park is always popular throughout the seasons, but it absolutely stuns in the fall. The countless maple trees transform into brilliant shades of fiery red to deep burgundy. There’s also an observatory and zoo nearby, so it’s a popular area for families or those looking for a relaxing stay in the city.

Mt. Moiwa

While Mount Moiwa is best known for its sparkling night view, it actually doubles as a foliage viewing area in the Autumn! On clear days before the sun sets, you can head up to the summit to see the trees on the mountain transform into a fiery sea of coppers and burnt oranges. 

👍 Pro tip: For the best scene, visit just before sunset to see the breathtaking autumn landscape during golden hour. 

Visit Jozankei for a Weekend Onsen Getaway

With the temperatures quietly cooling and the trees in Hokkaido transforming into vibrant colors, it’s the perfect time to visit Jozankei.

Jozankei is an onsen town just an hour away from Sapporo and is well known for its beauty during the autumn season. While I’m a fan of onsen all year round, I have to admit that relaxing in the waters feel particularly magical during the cooler months from Autumn through Winter. 

Melting into the hot spring waters while gazing outward to maple and ginkgo dreams of the colors of the sunset, with the sounds of the rippling river in the background is a cozy dream come true!

There are numerous ryokan (Japanese traditional inns), restaurants, and shops in the town, so you can enjoy Jozankei either as a day trip or as an overnight stay.

Many onsens allow visitors day-use for low prices, and there are also free foot baths scattered all over town, so you can enjoy the enriching thermal waters without staying at the hotel. However, for the best experience, I highly recommend staying at least one night to enjoy the natural beauty without restrictions.

When is the best time to visit Sapporo?

From the humble opinion of your writer, I think that May in Spring and February in Winter are the best times to visit Hokkaido’s biggest city.

The cherry blossom season is undeniably mystical, and I also have a bit of attachment as it was during this month that I visited Hokkaido and Sapporo for the first time. The temperatures are milder, the flowers are blooming, and you can’t help but feel spirited away.

February is the general winter that most sites will claim is the best time to visit Sapporo, and I can’t really deny it either. The Snow Festival is epic and worth marking your calendar for. And with all the fresh powder, the city is truly a Winter Wonderland! 

So if you love festivals and want to see a dreamy ice landscape, you should visit in February. If you prefer warmer weather, love nature, and want to see the flowers bloom or colors explore, visit in May or October.

Best time to visit Sapporo FAQs

Conclusion: When is the Best time to visit Sapporo?

Alright, so we’ve had a lot of fun. You learned a ton about Sapporo, and I enjoyed writing about it! Now, you've heard my verdict. I believe that May and February (and okay, October too) are the best times to visit Sapporo.

So, what did you end up deciding?

What do you think is the best time to visit Sapporo? Let me know!

Once you’ve finished deciding when you’ll book your trip, check out some more stuff I have on Sapporo!

As always, if you need any assistance with your trip, feel free to reach out to audrey@getlostinjapan.com. Happy traveling!

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