Hokkaido in Winter: How to Plan Your Winter Trip 2026/2027

Winter is the best time to travel to Hokkaido. You can enjoy many winter-only activities in Japan, such as skiing, relaxing in hot springs with snowy views, joining winter festivals, riding icebreaker ships, and more.

However, Hokkaido is very popular during this season. Many hotels need to be booked early or fill up quickly, so planning ahead is essential.

In this article, we'll share everything you need for a perfect trip, including where to go, what to do, how to pack, and other helpful tips.

When Is Hokkaido's Winter and What Is the Weather Like?

Winter in Hokkaido usually lasts from November to March.

The best time to visit is from mid-December to February. This is when the snow scenery is at its best, and there are many winter activities to enjoy.

• November to early-December: It's not very cold yet (0–7°C / 32–46°F). Snow usually starts in mid-November, but it is light.
• Mid-December to February: This is the coldest time in Hokkaido (–10°C to –1°C / 14–30°F). Dress warmly, and you can still explore outdoors. Snow falls almost every day, and many snow festivals take place.
• March: The weather is similar to February (–5°C to 3°C /22–37°F). Heavy snow is still common, especially in early March.

If you prefer milder weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices, visit from November to early December. The snow isn't very deep yet, but you can already admire the winter scenery.

Want to still go skiing or enjoy other snow activities with quieter slopes and cheaper costs? March is a perfect choice. Snowfall is still heavy, and it gradually becomes lighter after mid-March.

Where to Go in Hokkaido in Winter for Your First Trip?

Many cities in Hokkaido offer unique winter experiences, but which ones are best for your first visit? Based on our experience, we've handpicked 6 top cities.

1. Sapporo: Your Gateway to a Classic Hokkaido Winter

Sapporo is the perfect base for a winter trip in Hokkaido. You can enjoy many classic Japanese winter experiences here, and it's easy to visit other cities in the region.

From the city, you can easily head to ski resorts like Teine (about a 30-minute drive), relax in an onsen with snowy views in nearby Jozankei, and join the Sapporo Snow Festival in February.

Sapporo is the main transportation hub in Hokkaido, making it easy to visit other popular cities like Hakodate and Asahikawa. With its international airport, it's also the most common choice for flying from Tokyo or Osaka to Hokkaido

2. Otaru: A Romantic Small City Close to Sapporo

If you're looking for a quiet, historic city full of romantic charm, Otaru is our top pick! It's about a 50-minute drive from Sapporo, making it perfect for a day trip.

You can stroll along the historic canal and see the red brick warehouses. In early February, the canal and streets are lit up with thousands of handmade snow lanterns and ice candles, which is the biggest winter highlight.

You can also try making glass or music boxes, and enjoy the snow-covered city from the top of Mount Tengu.

3. Hakodate: Famous for Its Night view

Hakodate is a perfect place to slow down. It mixes Japanese culture with a Western atmosphere, and you can take your time exploring it.

The city is famous for its night view. From above, you can see the whole illuminated city and coastline in one picture, which is ranked among the top three in the world. In winter, snow covers the city, making it even more beautiful.

You can also stroll through the Western-style architecture district, explore the local seafood market, and even see snow monkeys bathing in hot springs.

4. Asahikawa: Watch penguins Walk Along the Snow Path

Asahikawa is Hokkaido's second-largest city and a popular winter destination, especially if you travel with your kids.

Your family will love watching penguins waddle along the snow path at Asahiyama Zoo! It's the biggest winter highlight in this city. You can see the penguins waddling in a line along the snow path up close, and it's just too cute.

You can see this from January to March. We suggest going in January or February when there are sessions in the morning and afternoon. In March, it's only available in the morning.

5. Noboribetsu: Unique Hell Valley Scenery

Noboribetsu is all about onsens. You can admire the view-only Hell Valley and also soak in high-quality onsens.

Don't miss exploring Jigokudani (Hell Valley). It's a unique volcanic valley with steaming hot springs, where you can walk along trails and watch steam and gas rise from the ground. But be careful, it's for viewing only, and you can't soak in it!

If you want to relax in onsens, you can stay one night in Noboribetsu. Most ryokans and hotels in the city offer hot springs.

6. Abashiri: Enjoy Icy Adventures

If you're looking for icy adventures or something unique, Abashiri is the place to be.

This city is famous for its drift ice activities. You can ride an icebreaker ship through the frozen sea and hear the ice crack beneath you. You can also try a drift ice walking tour with special waterproof clothing.

Top 5 Things to Do in Hokkaido in Winter

Hokkaido's winter is more than just skiing. You can also relax in hot springs surrounded by snow, join unique winter festivals, ride icebreaker ships, and see wildlife up close. These experiences make your winter trip truly unforgettable.

1. Skiing in the Best Powder Snow

Skiing is always at the top of the must-do winter activities in Hokkaido. With the most ski resorts, the finest powder snow, and the longest ski season in Japan, Hokkaido is truly a skier's paradise.

The ski season usually runs from late November to early April. Thanks to some of the earliest snowfall in Japan, heavy snow often lasts even into mid-March.

The most popular ski resort in Hokkaido is Niseko. It offers the finest powder snow, caters to everyone from beginners to experts, has the most international atmosphere, and provides the widest range of accommodations.

Other famous ski resorts include Rusutsu, Kiroro, and Furano. We can help you choose the best one for your interests and travel plans. It's best to book your ski trip a year in advance, as hotels tend to sell out quickly.

2. Join the Sapporo Snow Festival

If you want to experience just one winter festival in Hokkaido, the Sapporo Snow Festival is your top pick!

It is perfect for everyone, especially if you travel with your kids. You can admire amazing snow and ice sculptures and enjoy kid-favoured fun activities like sliding down long snow slides, exploring snow mazes, skiing, and even making your own snow sculptures.

The festival is held every February and lasts about a week. In 2026, the Sapporo Snow Festival will run from February 4 to 11.

3. Soak in Onsens Surrounded by Snow Scenery

How could you miss soaking in an outdoor hot spring while surrounded by snowy scenery? With Hokkaido's abundant geothermal resources, there are plenty of high-quality hot springs to enjoy.

Winter is the best time to enjoy hot springs. Even though the weather is cold, your body is wrapped in warm water, and you can see the surrounding snow-covered forests or mountains. It's a wonderful way to relax and soak up the Japanese atmosphere.

We highly recommend Jozankei Onsen for your hot spring experience. This traditional onsen town offers beautiful scenery and a peaceful vibe. It's only a 50-minute drive from Sapporo and has a wide range of accommodations, from Japanese-style inns to boutique hotels.

4. Hop on an Icebreaker Ship to Explore the Floating Ice

Want a one-of-a-kind winter adventure? Hop on an icebreaker and explore the drifting sea ice!

Abashiri is the best place in Japan for this. Its icebreaker is the largest, so you can feel the ship shake as it breaks through the ice and hear the ice crack beneath you.

This experience runs from January to March each year. We recommend going in February, when there is the most drift ice.

5. Observe Various Wild Animals

Winter is the best time to see wildlife in Hokkaido. Many animals come together to look for food, so they are much easier to spot.

If you enjoy seeing animals in the wild, you can visit Kushiro to see red-crowned cranes, watch seals on the drift ice in Abashiri, and spot Ezo deer while hiking in Shiretoko.

If you want to see many animals in one place, I recommend Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa. You can see penguins, polar bears, moose, and more. Don't miss the penguins'famous walk along the snow path.

How Many Days to Spend in Hokkaido for Your Winter Trip?

Most travelers spend 5-10 days in Hokkaido. It all depends on your trip length and what you want to do.

For Your First-Time Visit

If it's your first trip to Hokkaido, we recommend spending 5–7 days here. Since it's your first time in Japan, you'll likely spend about 7 days in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Together, this makes a perfect two-week itinerary.

With limited time, we recommend focusing on 1 or 2 cities. Hokkaido is a large region, and traveling between cities usually takes 2 to 3 hours. It is also far from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, so you will need to fly there.

If skiing is your main goal, 5 days in Hokkaido is usually enough. You can spend 2 - 3 days at the ski resort and 1- 2 days exploring Sapporo.

For Your Second Visit

If this is your second trip to Japan and you plan to focus on Hokkaido, 7–10 days is ideal. This gives you enough time to enjoy a classic Hokkaido winter route and explore the main cities.

You can visit Sapporo to soak in onsens with snowy views, Hakodate for its famous night view, Asahikawa to watch penguins walk along the snow path, and Abashiri to ride an icebreaker ship.

We highly recommend keeping your itinerary flexible. Heavy snowfall can delay or cancel flights and trains, so you may need to change your plans depending on the weather.

A Classic 10-Day Hokkaido Winter Itinerary

Here is a classic 10-day winter itinerary for Hokkaido. It covers the main cities and must-try winter experiences, helping you make the most of your time and see the top highlights.

• Day 1-2: Sapporo and Otaru ( Odori Park, Sapporo Beer Museum, Otaru canal area, and making glass)
• Day 3-4: Furano and Asahikawa (Blue Pond in Furano, Asahiyama Zoo, Ramen Street)
• Day 5-6: Abashiri (Take an icebreaker ship, walking on drift ice, Shiretoko Nature Center)
• Day 7: Lake Akan (enjoy onsens)
• Day 8-9: Back to Sapporo (Nijo Fish Market, and enjoy some free time)
• Day 10: Departure

What to Wear for Winter in Hokkaido?

Without a doubt, you must pack warm clothing and waterproof shoes! Winters in Hokkaido are very cold, usually between –10°C to 5°C (14°F to 41°F), and it often snows.

• Bring Warm Clothes: Down jackets, sweaters, thermal underwear, scarves, knit hats, gloves, snow boots, and waterproof shoes.
• Dress in layers: This can help you stay comfortable in different temperatures. Even though it's cold outside, indoor heating is strong, so a light layer is usually enough indoors.
• Pack non-slip shoes or ice grips: Hokkaido often snows in winter, and roads and sidewalks can get very icy. Without proper shoes, you'll easily slip and fall.

If you don't have enough clothes or non-slip shoes, you can buy affordable winter gear at stores in Sapporo.

How to Get to and Get Around Hokkaido in Winter?

Getting to Hokkaido from Tokyo or Osaka

Flying to Sapporo in Hokkaido is the most common choice.

Hokkaido is far from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, so flying is faster and easier. Flights from Tokyo to Sapporo take about 1.5 hours, and from Osaka to Sapporo, about 2 hours

You can take the train from Tokyo to Hokkaido, but we don't recommend it. The Shinkansen (bullet train) only goes as far as Hakodate, and getting to other cities in Hokkaido from there is far and inconvenient.

Getting Around Hokkaido

We recommend using a private car to get around Hokkaido in winter.

Public transportation in Hokkaido is convenient, but heavy snowfall can often delay or cancel trains and buses, especially in January and February. Also, traveling to remote attractions by bus can take a long time.

We don't recommend renting a car and driving yourself in Japan. If you've never driven in snowy conditions, the risk of accidents is higher. Plus, Japan drives on the right side, so if you're used to driving on the left, it might take a few days to adjust.

A private car with a private driver helps you avoid these problems! You'll have more time to enjoy experiences, a flexible schedule, and get direct, comfortable, and fast transport to the sights, so you don't have to walk much in the snow.

FAQs about Travelling to Hokkaido in Winter

1. Is Hokkaido Worth Visiting Without Skiing?

Of course! Hokkaido's winter offers much more than skiing. You can ride an icebreaker ship, soak in hot springs with snowy views, join winter festivals, go on ice walks, and watch wildlife. You can still have a truly unforgettable winter trip.

2. Does Hokkaido Get Snow in November?

Hokkaido is usually the first place in Japan to see snow. Snow often starts around mid-November, but it is light and not very frequent.

From late November, snowfall increases, and heavier snow is more common. Many ski resorts in Hokkaido start to open during this time.

3. When Is It Cheaper to Visit Hokkaido in Winter?

Traveling to Hokkaido in winter is usually cheaper during the off-peak season: November, early December, and March.

• November: Fewer crowds, but snow activities are limited because it doesn't snow often.
• Early December: A quiet time to enjoy the snow and winter activities before the peak season crowds arrive.
• March: The peak season is over, but heavy snow usually lasts until mid-March, so you can still enjoy winter activities.

The peak season is from Christmas and New Year through February, when prices are highest.

Plan Your Hokkaido Winter Trip Now!

Unsure where to start planning your trip? We can help with everything, from hotels and transportation to itineraries and more. Contact us today, and let's plan your trip together!

Check out our Japan winter tours that include Hokkaido:

• 14-Day Japan Highlights and Skiing in Hokkaido
• 9-Day Best of Japan's Winter – Hokkaido Private Tour