Hokkaido Weather in January

Season: winter
In short: freezing cold, heavily snowy with thick snow cover 

January is the coldest period of the year in Hokkaido. There is a difference in temperature between its different areas: the further north it goes, the colder it gets. But overall, all the cities see a temperature below 0℃ (32℉) throughout the day. If encounter severe weather such as blizzards, you will feel even colder. Hokkaido experiences heavy snowfall in this month, especially the central and northern regions. In some eastern cities of Hokkaido such as Kushiro, you can meet more sunny days. Due to the continuous snowfall, the snow cover is getting thicker and thicker, with the most in the mountainous areas with lower temperature. 

See also: Japan Weather in January

What to Wear & Pack to Visit Hokkaido in January

Traveling to Hokkaido in January, you need to be fully prepared to stay warm.

Inner clothes: Thermal shirt with a sweater or fleece hoodie is a good match. Wearing thick long johns inside can help to keep out coldness without affecting physical activities.

Outer clothes: A hooded downcoat is the best option for insulating you from coldness and snowflakes. You may feel stuffy and uncomfortable in heated indoor spaces, so it is necessary to wear a padded overcoat that is easy to be taken off and put on. Winterpants or padded trousers are advised.

Shoes: Waterproof snow boots and warm socks are necessary. It is also advised to wear non-slip shoes when walking on icy roads. You can also stick an anti-slip pad on the sole of your shoes. If forgetting, buy one in local shoe stores. It can be very dangerous to wear leather shoes or high heels on snowy days, so avoid them. 

Necessities: The snow in Hokkaido is light powder snow which does not melt quickly, so you can learn from locals to wear fur hats instead of using umbrellas on snowy days. Scarf and waterproof gloves are also needed. Besides, you can purchase hand warmers in convenience stores to gain heat anytime.

Recommend Things to Do in Hokkaido in January

Tourism Rate: 

Playing Snow Sports in Ski Resorts

If you plan to travel to Hokkaido in January 2025, playing snow sports especially skiing is a must-do. In this month, thick snow covers various parts of Hokkaido and many ski resorts reopen to welcome visitors, including Rusutsu Resort, Furano Ski Resort and more. In the Sapporo Teine Ski Area, different ski slopes are suitable for skiers with different levels of experience. On sunny days, you can overlook the distant sea on the top of the mountain. Night skiing is also open here. Niseko ski area is popular due to its high-quality powder snow and hospitality. You can try different snow sports such as snowmobiling and snow hiking.

Thick Snow Cover in January

Enjoying Warm Onsens in Cold Weather

After finishing a day of exciting snow sports, there is nothing more pleasant than soaking in warm natural onsens, which can help yourself recover from bitterly cold weather in January. Hokkaido is known for boasting the most onsen resorts in Japan, such as Lake Toya, Shiretoko, Noboribetsu and Jozankei. Among them, the Noboribetsu Onsen is one of the top ten hot springs in Japan. You can soak in mineral-rich spring water to relieve stress, shop and dine in ancient town and appreciate the beautiful snow scenery outside the window.

Enjoying Warm Onsens in Onsen Hotel

Exploring Drift Ice

Traveling to Hokkaido in winter, you will see unique draft ice in the Sea of Okhotsk from January to March. It is recommended to explore it by icebreakers in Abashiri and Monbetsu. You can bring a telescope with you to view the sea eagles and seals along the way. If you want to leisurely enjoy scenery along the coastline, you can take the Ryuho-Mnogatari sightseeing train. Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum in Abashiri is a great place offering more knowledge of drift ice. If time permits, you can have a visit.

Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

Lake Shikotsu is an unfrozen lake in Japan, with impressive transparent water. In late January every year, the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival is celebrated. Various ice sculptures and high ice walls are both worth viewing. They are all made from the blue lake water, presenting enchanting colors in the night lights. You can also have fun on ice slides, skate in ice rinks, appreciate wonderful fireworks displays, and watch traditional taiko performances during the festival. If lucky, you can watch someone holding wedding ceremonies in front of these sculptures and do not forget to send them blessings.

Tips for Traveling to Hokkaido in January

1. Be very careful when walking after snowing because you will meet ice anytime and anywhere.
2. Pay attention to the climate condition ahead of time, and it is not advised to go out when a blizzard occurs. 

January Weather for Other Cities in Japan:

• Tokyo Weather in January
• Kyoto Weather in January
• Osaka Weather in January
• Nara Weather in January
• Nagoya Weather in January
• Hiroshima Weather in January
• Fukuoka Weather in January

Hokkaido Weather by Month

Recommended Hokkaido Tour

Hokkaido Charms: 5 Days Private Tour of Sapporo - Hakodate - Lake Toya - Noboribetsu - Sapporo - Yoichi - Otaru - Sapporo