Best Time to Visit Otaru

The Best Time to Visit Otaru

December to February in Winter and June to August in summer are the best times to visit Otaru. These two periods offer you totally different and delightful travel experiences.

See more: Otaru Weather

December to February in Winter

Otaru is renowned for its spectacular snowscapes. The months from December to February each winter bring low temperatures and abundant snowfall, making it one of the most beautiful snow cities in Hokkaido. Due to its proximity to the sea, although it shows an image of ice and snow, the actual temperature rarely drops to an unbearable level—even in the coldest month of January, the minimum temperature seldom falls below -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit).

For snow enthusiasts, many excellent spots of Otaru are worthwhile for appreciation, such as Funamisaka, Otaru Canal, and Mountain Tenguyama, ect. They are also filming locations for the classic Japanese movie “Love Letter”, attracting numerous visitors every year. When the night falls, the snow-capped city turns more charming under the illumination of lights. Particularly, in early to mid-February annually, the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival is held, during which the streets near the Otaru Canal are decorated with diversified snow sculptures and snow lanterns. Wanna hit up the festival for your 2026 Otaru Trip? Mark the dates from Feb 8 to 15, and snag your tickets and pack your bags ahead of time!

June to August in Summer

Unlike most southern cities like Tokyo, Nara, and Kyoto in Japan, Otaru has a much pleasant summer from June to August, thus it is regarded as an optimal place to escape summer heat. Even if you come to visit this city in the so-called hottest month August, the maximum temperatures are usually at about 24-28℃ (75-82℉), a very comfortable level. Besides, Otaru is not significantly affected by the rainy season. Moderate or heavy rainfall occurs occasionally, so there is no need to worry too much about your trip being disrupted. That said, you’re advised to pack a portable umbrella when hanging out since light rain is prone to occur intermittently. If you prefer staying indoors while it’s raining, consider visiting Sankaku Market where you can taste various delicious and fresh local seafood, or museums like the Otaru Orgel Museum and Taisho Glass Museum, where various works of art are exhibited for your attention.

By virtue of long daylight duration, you can leisurely stroll around this harbor city, enjoying Otaru’s vibrant natural scenery and cool breeze. Moreover, various exciting summer events also inject endless vitality into this city, with the most lively being the Otaru Tide Festival held in late July every year. During this time, there are grand celebration activities every day, such as dance and band performances, fireworks display, and all kinds of snacks and entertainments waiting for you to experience!

Tips: 
1.    The above-mentioned periods are popular times to visit Otaru, which means you may encounter crowded attractions and more expensive travel costs. Therefore, you’re recommended to book your accommodation and flights earlier. 
2.    During the winter months, blizzard may occur occasionally, leading to suspension of the public transportation and certain attractions. To ensure a smooth trip, better check the weather forecast before you go out.
 

Best Time to Enjoy Otaru Sakura: Late April to Early May

Otaru’s Sakura season arrives a bit later due to its cooler climate compared with other major Japanese cities. If you have already missed the cherry blossoms of the early and middle of spring, then Otaru’s late spring delight in late April to early May still awaits your coming. 

Top attractions such as the Temiya Park, Suitengu, and Otaru Park are highly recommended, which have excellent geographical locations and expansive views, allowing you to witness the harmonious combination of pink cherry blossoms and the blue sea. In Tenguyama, the highest point in Otaru, you can have a panoramic view of the city adorned with cherry blossoms, and there is a cherry tree with over 100 years of history in full bloom.

Read more: Best Sakura Months in Japan & Japan Cherry Blossom Dates Forecast in 2025

Best Time to Admire Otaru Autumn Foliage: Mid-October to Early November

In mid-October to early November, while other southern cities are still dominated by lush green, Otaru has already become colorful. With its cool climate and mild UV rays, you can enjoy a comfortable city walk here while admiring the splendid autumn foliage.  

For example, it’s a good idea to take a stroll along the shore of Otaru Canal where ivy covering the surface of the buildings has turned into vivid red color; or you can go for a hike around the hillside areas such as the Tenguyama and Otarusumiyoshi Shrine, which are all painted by orange, red maple leaves and golden gingko leaves.

See also: Japan Fall Foliage Forecast in 2025

Best Time to Visit Otaru for Budget Travelers: March

In March, there are much fewer tourists in Otaru compared to December to February, and accommodation prices are cheaper, so the tourism cost-effectiveness is relatively high, especially suitable for budget travelers. In addition, popular attractions like Tenguyama allow you to quickly take the cable car and enjoy the city’s scenery without queuing up.

Embarrassing Times to Visit Otaru: Early to Mid-April & Mid to Late November

Early to mid-April and mid to late October are kind of embarrassing times to visit Otaru. For one thing, the natural scenery is less enchanting than in other months: Sakura has not blossomed in early to mid-April and beautiful autumn leaves have fallen mostly during mid to late November. For another, both periods are cold overall and characterized by frequent wet weather, which would spoil your travel experience to some extent.