Hokkaido in Summer 2026/2027: Weather, Things to do, & Tips

夏季是游览北海道的最佳时节之一。此时正是享受自然风光和户外探险的绝佳时机。您可以漫步薰衣草田，在火山湖边欣赏烟花，在国家公园徒步旅行，或者出海观鲸。

北海道夏季的名气或许不如冬季，但同样值得一游。您将享受到凉爽的气候，而且游客远比东京或京都等城市少得多。

那么，如何规划一次完美的夏季旅行呢？本文将介绍天气、最佳旅游景点、热门活动和行程示例，并提供一些实用技巧，让您的旅行规划更加轻松。

北海道夏季：天气如何？

北海道的夏季是从六月到八月。

北海道夏季的气温比东京、京都和大阪等城市要凉爽。由于没有雨季，天气大多干燥，但体感温度仍然可能比实际温度高。

六月气候凉爽舒适，气温在12-21摄氏度（53-70华氏度）之间。此时日本的梅雨季节基本结束，但偶尔也可能遇到几天小雨。

七月是花田盛开的旺季，阳光充足。平均气温为16–24摄氏度（61–75华氏度）。白天炎热，夜晚凉爽。

八月是北海道最热的月份，最高气温可达26摄氏度（78华氏度）。降雨量也达到高峰，偶尔还会出现台风带来的强降雨。

游览北海道的最佳时间是7月中下旬。此时花田正值盛花期，天气宜人，阳光充足。不过，这段时间游客较多，物价也较高。

如果您喜欢避开人潮，但又想赏花，那么六月下旬至七月初是绝佳的选择。您可以享受凉爽的天气，欣赏花朵缓缓绽放，还能找到价格更实惠的住宿。

北海道夏季五大最佳旅游目的地

北海道的夏天充满了独特的体验。以下五个城市值得您前往，定能让您的夏日之旅留下难忘的回忆。

1. 札幌：充满热闹夏日节庆活动的城市

作为北海道的首府和门户，札幌无论何时到访都能提供最佳的季节体验。

夏季，这座城市因各种节日而热闹非凡。您和您的孩子可以真正感受到地道的日本文化氛围。

• 每年六月，北海道都会举行神社祭。当地居民身着传统服饰，抬着神社花车游行。
• 7月至8月是节日的高峰期。您可以在大通啤酒花园品尝日本啤酒和各种美食，观看花魁游行，加入薄野祭上成千上万人跳盂兰盆舞的行列，还可以欣赏丰平川烟花表演。

2. 富良野：欣赏薰衣草和五彩缤纷的花田

When it comes to summer in Hokkaido, Furano is a must-visit! Its flower fields are the highlight of your summer trip.

You'll see a wide variety of flowers, including lavender, sunflowers, and other seasonal blooms. The fields look like colorful, endless carpets, making you feel as if you've stepped into a dream.

Don't miss tasting the lavender ice cream. This seasonal summer treat is made with real fresh or dried lavender, and you can only try it in Furano.

We can also arrange for you to try making lavender products, which makes your trip more fun, especially if you are traveling with kids. Your whole family can create essential oils, sachets, and scented bookmarks together.

You can take a day trip to nearby Biei. Visit Shikisai-no-Oka Panoramic Flower Gardens, see the unique Blue Pond, and admire Shirahige Falls.

3. Asahikawa: Hiking in the Mountains

If you want a cool summer mountain hike, Asahikawa is the perfect place. It's home to Asahidake, Hokkaido's highest peak.

Summer is the only season for sightseeing hikes on Asahidake. Along the trails, you'll see blooming flowers, green grasslands, a sea of clouds, a steaming volcanic crater, and bright green lakes.

Plus, there are trails for everyone. Whether you're hiking with kids or are an active senior, you'll find the suitable route.

4. Lake Toya: Enjoy Cool Water Fun

Want to enjoy water fun with your kids, fireworks, and relaxing high-quality hot springs? Lake Toya is our top pick!

This clear volcanic lake offers plenty of summer activities. You and your kids can go kayaking, try stand-up paddleboarding, take forest hikes, or cycle around the lake.

We highly recommend visiting Lake Toya to see its fireworks. With the volcanic lake and distant mountains as a backdrop, the show feels even more connected to nature.

Unlike other places in Japan, where fireworks only happen at certain times, Lake Toya's fireworks go off every night from April 28 to October 31. You can see them anytime you visit.

5. Shiretoko Peninsula: Observe Wildlife

Looking for a hidden gem where you can get close to nature and spot wildlife? The Shiretoko Peninsula is the perfect choice.

Here, you can safely explore Japan's last untouched natural areas. Summer is when wildlife is most active. Take a boat tour to see whales, with a chance to spot bears along the shore. You can also join a guided hike around the Shiretoko Five Lakes to see wild deer and admire waterfalls.

Top 4 Things to Do in Hokkaido in Summer

Your Hokkaido summer trip is more than just enjoying flower fields. You'll also get closer to nature, explore Japanese culture, and take part in other seasonal activities. Below are four unmissable experiences we've handpicked to make your summer journey even richer.

1. Enjoy Lavender and Other Flower Fields

You absolutely shouldn't miss exploring the flower fields in Hokkaido during summer! The best time to go is from mid- to late July, when the flowers are in full bloom.

Furano and nearby Biei are the most popular places to see these colorful fields. You can see lavender, sunflowers, cosmos, and other summer blooms covering the area like a vibrant carpet.

Our top picks are Farm Tomita in Furano and Shikisai-no-Oka in Biei. Both offer the best photo opportunities and plenty of fun activities.

Farm Tomita is the best place to see lavender. You can enjoy lavender ice cream, take a perfume-making tour, and even make your own lavender products, like essential oils, sachets, and scented bookmarks.

Shikisai-no-Oka lets you enjoy colorful flower fields across the hills. Take a relaxing tractor ride to admire the views and feed the alpacas.

2. Join in Summer Festivals and Fireworks Fun

Summer in Japan is full of festivals. Hokkaido may not have as many as Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, but you can still enjoy the lively spirit of a Japanese summer here.

Sapporo is the hub of Hokkaido's summer festivals. We suggest visiting in July or August, when most festivals and fireworks take place.

Popular events include:

• Beer Garden (late July to early August)
• Bon Odori Festival (mid-August)
• Susukino Festival with its Oiran Parade (August 7–9)
• Toyohira River Fireworks (early August)

3. Get Closer to Nature with Outdoor Adventures

Summer in Hokkaido is full of outdoor adventures. Hiking and water activities are popular options for families. You can get close to nature while escaping the summer heat.

Hiking is a great way to explore Hokkaido's national parks. Most hiking trails are only open in summer. We recommend hiking Asahidake in Asahikawa or the Shiretoko Five Lakes. Both have trails that are perfect for everyone, whether you're traveling with teenagers or active seniors.

For water fun, head to Lake Toya. In summer, it's all about outdoor water activities. You and your kids can go kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing.

4. Go Whale Watching By Boat

Summer is the best time for whale watching in Hokkaido. This is when many whale pods gather, and you can see them actively feeding. The seas are also calmer in summer, making it easier to see the whales.

Our top pick is a boat tour from Rausu, about an hour's drive from the Shiretoko Peninsula. This area is one of the best places to see orcas, and sometimes you might even spot sperm whales. From the boat, you could also see wild brown bears along the coastline.

How Many Days to Spend in Hokkaido in Summer

A week in Hokkaido is usually enough to see the main summer highlights, without feeling rushed.

We recommend visiting Sapporo, Furano, Biei, and Lake Toya for your summer trip. These places show the best of Hokkaido in summer and are must-sees.

If it's your first time in Japan, you'll probably want to spend another week in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. That makes for a perfect two-week trip.

Here's our sample 1-week Hokkaido summer itinerary to inspire you. It includes the major seasonal experiences.

• Day 1-2: Sapporo (Nijo Market, make cookies at Shiroi Koibito Park, Sapporo Summer Festival)
• Day 3: Otaru (wander along the canal, and glass-making)
• Day 4-5: Furano and Biei (enjoy the flower fields at Furano Farm, Blue Pond, and Shikisai-no-Oka)
• Day 6-7: Visit Lake Toya via Noboribetsu (Jigokudani Hell Valley, Lake Toya Long Run Fireworks Festival, kayaking, SUP, and soak in onsens)
• Day 8: Departure from Sapporo

If you plan to visit Shiretoko, we recommend extending your trip to 10–12 days. It's quite remote, and getting there takes most of a day.

What to Wear in Hokkaido in Summer?

Hokkaido is the coolest place in Japan during summer, but it can still get hot during the day, sometimes rising above 35°C (95℉).

Pack breathable clothes to stay comfortable: linen short-sleeve tops, loose shorts, skirts, light-colored outfits, and quick-dry fabrics. Bring a light long-sleeve layer for cooler evenings.

Protect yourself from the sun: bring SPF 50+ sunscreen, sun hats, and a sun umbrella. The UV rays in Hokkaido are strong, so it's easy to get sunburned.

Stay cool with a portable fan: you might still sweat while exploring, so it's helpful to have a way to keep cool.

Dress for the mountains: wear a light long-sleeve jacket over your short-sleeve top. The weather can change quickly, and it's usually cooler up there.

How to Get to and Get Around in Hokkaido in Summer?

Get to Hokkaido from Tokyo or Osaka

Flying is the easiest and fastest way to get to Hokkaido, since it's far from most of Japan's major cities.

You can fly to Hokkaido from major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Nagoya. A flight from Tokyo to Sapporo takes about 1.5 hours, and from Osaka it's around 2 hours.

Get Around Hokkaido

We recommend using a private car to travel around Hokkaido.

Trains connect major cities like Sapporo, Furano, and Hakodate, but there aren't many departures, and traveling takes longer than going by car. Some cities can only be reached from certain train stations, which can be inconvenient.

Many attractions in Hokkaido are far apart. If you rely on buses, you'll spend most of your time on the road. During the peak flower season, you may have to wait 1–2 hours if you miss a bus.

You might also see self-driving in Hokkaido as an option online, but we don't suggest it. Japan drives on the left-hand side, so if you are used to right-hand drive, it may take some days to get used to it.

Using a private car with a local driver solves all these problems! You can travel directly and comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle, avoid long walks in the hot sun, spend more time enjoying the highlights, and follow a more flexible schedule.

FAQs about Travelling to Hokkaido in Summer

1. Is Hokkaido Crowded During Summer?

Summer is one of Hokkaido's busiest seasons, especially in July and August. Even with many travelers, it is still less crowded than Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka.

Sapporo and Furano have more visitors. In the remote Shiretoko Peninsula, you will find far fewer people.

2. How Hot Is Hokkaido in Summer?

Summer is the hottest time of the year in Hokkaido.

Average temperatures are 17–25°C (63–77°F), but it can feel hotter than 30°C (86°F). Sometimes, daily highs even reach 35°C (95°F). But mornings and evenings are cooler, a light jacket can be handy.

The good news is that Hokkaido is at the northern tip of Japan, so it is cooler and drier than Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. The weather does not feel as muggy.

3. Is It a Good Idea to Visit Hokkaido with Kids in Summer?

Of course! You and your kids can enjoy many outdoor activities in Hokkaido, such as kayaking, SUP, hiking, making lavender crafts, or whale watching. It feels very different from Tokyo and Kyoto, which are better known for culture and history.

4. Should I Visit Hokkaido in Summer or Winter?

It depends on what you want to experience. Summer and winter each have their own charm, and both are worth a visit.

Come in summer if you want to see colorful flower fields, enjoy water fun, and watch fireworks.

如果你梦想着欣赏雪景、滑雪、参加冰雪节或乘坐破冰船，那就选择冬天吧。

现在就来定制您的北海道夏季之旅吧！

不知道如何开始规划您的北海道之旅？我们可以帮您安排一切，从酒店、交通到行程等等。立即联系我们，让我们一起规划您的旅程！