Winter in Hokkaido 2024: Skis, Snow Festivals & Soup Curry

Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost and largest prefecture, turns into one of the coldest places in the country during the winter, as snowflakes blanket the ground in a thick, powdery coat and the temperature dips to sub-zero. 

But that doesn’t mean you should avoid the place altogether. In fact, it’s winter that has built Hokkaido’s reputation as Japan’s snow paradise. During this season, top ski resorts prepare their piste with groomed trails, and snowboarders and skiers from around the globe come to experience its world-class snow. 

Yet the magic of winter in Hokkaido goes beyond the slopes. Whether you’re seeking adventure or serene beauty from the illuminated snow festivals and “Jewelry Ice,” our 2024 guide to winter in Hokkaido has everything you need to make the most of the season.

Officially, the winter season in Hokkaido spans from mid-December to mid-February, although the first snowfall can happen as early as November and last until March. In fact, as one of Japan's yukiguni — snow countries — Hokkaido spends a significant portion of the year shrouded in snow. During these times, the temperatures routinely drop below freezing. 

By May, a month later than Tokyo and more southern regions of Japan, Hokkaido officially transitions into spring, though the crisp, cool air lingers.

In winter, Hokkaido experiences some of Japan’s most extreme temperatures that can drop as low as -11°C, particularly in areas like Rikubetsu. In Sapporo, average daily temperatures typically range from -3°C to -10°C, with nighttime temperatures often plummeting well below freezing and snowfall becoming frequent. 

In general, the coldest months to visit Hokkaido will be during January and February. Central Hokkaido is one of the coldest areas in the region, with temperatures often dipping below -30°C. The cold is so severe that anything, from towels to your eyelashes, freezes in seconds. 

However, most of the snow from the clouds that develop above the Sea of Japan falls before reaching the area, resulting in relatively little snowfall and frequent fair weather, even during the winter months. 

When visiting Hokkaido during peak winter, the key to managing the cold is layering. Start with well-insulated thermal innerwear and good-quality knits for insulation, and top it off with a wind-resistant jacket. 

Since indoor spaces are typically heated, wearing layers that can be easily removed will help you stay comfortable when transitioning from cold outdoor environments to warm interiors. 

If you're engaging in outdoor activities like snow play or walking through snowy streets, avoid heavy denim, which takes time to dry. Instead, opt for water-resistant trousers or snow pants, especially for skiing or snowboarding.

For footwear, choose non-slip, snow-proof shoes to help maintain stability on icy paths. If visiting toward the end of winter, when the snow starts to melt, waterproof shoes will keep slush from getting in.

Tip: Snow boots can be bulky and expensive. For a more convenient option, consider buying removable non-slip spikes, which can be attached to your regular shoes for better traction on icy surfaces.

Compared to Honshu, where it can take 4-5 hours to reach ski resorts from Narita or Haneda Airports, Hokkaido is much more traveler-friendly with its efficient access.

Most ski resorts are conveniently located within 2 hours of the main airports, including New Chitose, Asahikawa and Obihiro. Base cities like Sapporo and Asahikawa are also accessible, typically just an hour away by car or shuttle bus from popular resorts.

You have several transportation options:

1. Shuttle buses: Many resorts offer their own shuttle services to and from the airports and major cities.

2. Train: JR Hokkaido, part of the Japan Railways Group, operates intercity and local rail services across the region. 

3. Car rentals: Renting a car offers the most flexibility, especially if you're looking to explore more remote areas at your own pace.

Tip: Consider the Hokkaido Rail Pass, available exclusively to international visitors. This pass allows unlimited rides on all JR lines in Hokkaido (excluding the Hokkaido Shinkansen) and some buses.

You might want to explore all of Hokkaido, or just stay one place at a time. Regardless, it depends on what kind of activities you enjoy and how long you are going to be there.

As the capital of Hokkaido, Sapporo serves as an ideal base for winter travelers. From here, you can easily explore winter festivals like the famous Sapporo Snow Festival and enjoy nearby ski resorts such as Teine and Furano.

Sapporo's public transportation is also very accessible, making it a great option for those who can't drive in Japan, with buses and subways providing convenient connections.

Read more: Best Things to Do in Sapporo

Famous for its world-class powder snow, Niseko is a top destination for skiers and snowboarders. You can stay at luxury ski-in and ski-out resorts such as The Vale Niseko or opt for cozy lodges and Airbnb rentals with mountain views. Niseko is about 3 hours from Sapporo by train. 

Furano is more known for its lavender and flower fields in the summer, but it is also a quieter ski destination during the winter, with great views and slopes. 

Just 1.5 hours from Sapporo, Otaru is a charming harbor city perfect for a romantic winter getaway. Its picturesque canal, lined with historical red-brick buildings and illuminated during winter, creates a magical atmosphere. The old warehouses and former shipping company offices also give Otaru’s city center a unique character. 

To experience Hokkaido’s natural beauty and relax in hot springs, stay in an onsen town like Noboribetsu or Jozankei. 

While there are plenty of great food picks in Hokkaido, for meals to warm the body and soul during winter, we recommend the following: 

Hokkaido’s cold waters produce some of Japan's best seafood. A kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) topped with fresh salmon, uni (sea urchin), ikura (salmon roe) and crab is a must-try in winter. Head to Nijo Market in Sapporo for a top-tier kaisendon experience.

From January to May, you might find restaurants expanding their menu to red king crab, which is harvested from the icy waters of the Sea of Okhotsk during its drift ice season. 

Wakkanai, Hokkaido’s northernmost city, is renowned as the top location for catching this prized delicacy. The crab is typically served boiled with minimal seasoning.

Hokkaido’s winter calls for a bowl of steaming hot ramen. Each area has its own variety, but Sapporo miso ramen is the most famous, with its rich, hearty broth, butter and sweet corn. 

Read more: Best Sapporo Ramen 

Nothing screams warmth and comfort like Hokkaido’s Ishikari nabe, a hearty hot pot dish made with salmon, vegetables and miso broth. A topping of butter gives the soup a glossy, creamy finish. It’s especially popular in the coastal areas of Ishikari.

In Hokkai, a famous shabu-shabu branch, you can enjoy lamb as a hot pot, as well as other delicacies like snow crab legs and seafood tempura.

Read more: Best Food to Eat in Hokkaido

Hokkaido’s soup curry resembles a hearty stew rather than the thick curries commonly known elsewhere, making it a beloved "soul food" dish in Sapporo. 

This flavorful dish features a smooth, spiced broth brimming with chunky vegetables like eggplant and kabocha pumpkin, as well as tender meats. It’s typically served alongside a bowl of rice.

Getaways in Hokkaido mean something different to everyone, whether it be visiting the Winter Ramen Alley in Sapporo to warm the body or drifting through the snowy valleys of Niseko. 

Hokkaido’s ski resorts are world-renowned for their perfect powder snow, thanks to Siberian winds sweeping over the Sea of Japan. This dry, fluffy snow results in 14-20 meters of annual snowfall in major ski areas. 

If you’re new to skiing, we recommend hitting the slopes in December before Christmas to avoid crowds and enjoy lower accommodation prices, with resorts like Niseko, Furano and Rusutsu opening mid-December. 

For pros who are more particular about the quality of the snow, January and February are the peak months for Niseko, where the best powder awaits.

Hokkaido's harsh winters pair perfectly with a warm soak in its hot springs, formed by the island’s many volcanoes. As the temperature drops, take advantage of outdoor hot springs to enjoy the contrast of crisp air against steaming waters. 

Popular spots include Noboribetsu Onsen, Yunokawa Onsen, Jozankei and Lake Toya. These onsen towns offer relaxation with stunning natural surroundings, some less crowded than others. 

Kicking off in late November, Sapporo transforms into a festive wonderland with dazzling lights stretching along Odori Park, Ekimaedori and Minami-ichi-jo Dori. 

The White Illumination coincides with Sapporo’s famed German Christmas Market and leads up to the Snow Festival in February. 

The German Christmas Market in Sapporo began in 2002 as part of a sister city exchange program with Munich. Each year, in the month leading up to Christmas, Odori Park transforms into a festive wonderland filled with stalls offering Christmas gifts, spiced mulled wine and delicious German cuisine. The market opens in late November and runs until late December. 

Snowshoeing, or winter hiking, is a favorite outdoor activity during the winter in Hokkaido, which can be done from late December to late March. 

Visitors can rent snowshoes at various locations across Hokkaido, including ropeway stations and tourism associations, with some offering rentals for free or at a nominal fee. 

Popular snowshoeing trails can be found in Niseko, Mt. Moiwa, Sapporo's Odori Park and Shiroi Koibito Park. Other excellent destinations include the crater rim of Lake Mashu and Lake Shikotsu. 

From mid-January to late February, the Otsu Beach in Toyokoro, Tokachi, becomes home to a stunning natural phenomenon known as “Jewelry Ice.” As river ice flows into the Pacific Ocean, the waves shape it into smooth, round lumps that wash ashore. This crystal-clear ice resembles sparkling jewels as the sunlight enhances its beauty throughout the morning. 

Early-morning or midday tours are available to experience this breathtaking sight.  A nearby rest house offers warm drinks and food for visitors.

Much like Otaru’s Snow Light Path Festival coming up below, the Yukitoro (snow-candle way) event occurs in Jozankei during the coldest months. Local residents set up 1,000 to 2,000 snow candles at Jozankei Shrine, transforming the area into a magical landscape of snow lanterns. 

The event encourages visitors to walk in quietude, soaking in the soft, flickering lights amid the crisp night air.

A highlight of the event is the Negai-no-akari, where participants make a wish on a candle before carrying it to a snow tower without letting the flame extinguish. The event occurs over just one week, from the last week of January to early February.

Early February is the ideal time to experience the Sapporo Snow Festival, which began in 1950 with six snow sculptures made by local students. Now the largest winter event in Sapporo, it attracts over two million visitors annually.

The event takes place in Sapporo's Odori Park, where massive snow sculptures span a 1.5-kilometer stretch. You can expect five large sculptures alongside many smaller ones. At the park’s west end, international teams from around 20 countries compete annually in the snow-sculpting contest. 

The Otaru Snow Light Path Festival is a winter event held every February in Otaru, where the city transforms into a wonderland of lights and small snow statues. Typically coinciding with the Sapporo Snow Festival, it allows travelers in Hokkaido to experience both festivals in one trip.

The main festival venues are illuminated daily from 5-9 pm. Local residents also enhance the festive spirit by displaying lanterns outside their shops and homes. Most venues, except for the ropeway-accessible Tenguyama, are within walking distance from the train station.

Every February, drift ice arrives at the Shiretoko Peninsula and surrounding areas, making it the ideal time for travelers to hop on a unique drift ice cruise. These cruises operate from three locations: Monbetsu, Abashiri and Rausu. 

In Abashiri and Monbetsu, you'll sail on powerful icebreakers that navigate through the ice. The cruise from Rausu offers the chance to spot Steller’s sea eagles, white-tailed eagles and other wildlife alongside the drift ice.

For a more immersive experience, Shiretoko offers activities like walking on the ice floes in a dry suit, swimming in nearby waters or even ice diving beneath the ice.

For more winter wonders, learn about the best things to do for winter in Japan, try out winter in Tokyo (along with some heartwarming foods), and visit Japan’s best winter landscapes. 

Want to check out the other seasons? Find out the best time to visit Japan.

Winter in Hokkaido typically lasts from late November to early March, with the coldest temperatures occurring from December to February.

For 2024, the season is warmer than expected, so winter in Hokkaido starts from mid-December 2024 to mid-March 2025.  

Yes, visiting Hokkaido in winter is highly worthwhile for its stunning snow festivals, winter sports and unique wildlife experiences.

February is particularly popular due to events like the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival. This is also the best time to visit for skiing and snowboarding. 

Yes, Hokkaido hosts several winter festivals, including the Sapporo Snow Festival, Otaru Snow Light Path Festival and Jozankei Yukitoro Festival.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is held annually in early February, usually lasting for about a week.

The snowiest city in Hokkaido is Sapporo, known for its heavy snowfall and winter festivals.

Public transportation, including trains and buses, is efficient in Hokkaido, and renting a car is also a popular option, but be prepared for winter driving conditions.

Dress in layers to stay warm, with essentials including a waterproof and insulated winter jacket, thermal base layers, warm sweaters, gloves, hats, scarves and waterproof boots.