Hokkaido Weather in May

Season: spring
In short: tepid, sunny, least rainfall

In Hokkaido in May, you will feel a strong spring atmosphere. The temperature is gradually rising, averaging at over 15℃ (59℉), which is suitable for outdoor activities. It also changes greatly between day and night. You may feel warm at sunny noon but cold in the morning and evening at an average temperature of below 10℃ (50℉). Therefore, adjusting clothes in time is necessary. Mild spring breeze blows across Hokkaido from the southeast, making people feel comfortable rather than cold. Besides, Hokkaido boasts continuous sunny days in May. Rainfall rarely occurs, making it the month with the least precipitation of the year. The sun rises as early as around 4 o’clock this month. 

See more: Japan Weather in May

Cherry Blossoms in Hokkaido in May

What to Wear & Pack to Visit Hokkaido in May

During the day: Knitwear and hoodies are the best choices on warm sunny days. If you prefer to wear in layers, long-sleeve shirt with a trench coat or jacket is a good match. When visiting cold mountainous areas, a down coat is needed. For the bottom, both jeans and sweatpants are suitable for outdoor activities. A pair of lightweight sneakers can help keep your long journey comfortable.
At night: You need to add a windbreaker or thick overcoat to keep warm due to the temperature dropping significantly. It is also appropriate for occasional rainy days.
Necessities: It is advised to wear masks when appreciating cherry blossoms if you have hay fever. 
Special Recommendation: It is highly recommended to rent a kimono from local clothing stores and wear it to appreciate the brilliant spring scenery of Hokkaido, which will leave you with an unforgettable memory. The weather condition this month offers favorable temperature for wearing kimono, and you will not feel hot or cold. 

Top Things to Do in Hokkaido in May

Tourism Rate:

Visiting Cherry Blossom Destinations

The cherry blossoms of Hokkaido bloom the latest in Japan. If you missed out on cherry blossoms from other places, you can appreciate it in Hokkaido in early to mid-May 2025. Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival is celebrated in Matsumae Park. You can admire beautiful blossoms lit by colorful lights at night and watch an amazing parade, which creates a lively atmosphere for the festival. In Hokkaido-jingu Shrine in Sapporo, you will see cherry blossoms and plum blossoms at the same time. Besides, Goryokaku Park in Hakodate, Maruyama Park in Sapporo and the Nijukken Road of Shizunai are all famous cherry blossom viewing destinations.

Appreciating Cherry Blossoms in Park

Appreciating Pretty Flowers of Spring

In early May, Hokkaido welcomes its most beautiful flower season. In addition to the cherry blossoms, various flowers such as lilacs, tulips and hyacinths are worth viewing. The grand Sapporo Lilac Festival is held in the Odori Park, where you can appreciate around 400 blooming lilacs, get lilac seedlings and experience planting by yourself. About 600,000 azaleas are in full bloom on Mt. Esan in Hakodate, dyeing the mountain in a vibrant pink color. In the Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park in Abashiri, pink and white shiba sakura covers an area of 10 hectares, which is miraculously fascinating.

Various Spring Flowers of Hokkaido

Having a Citywalk in Sapporo

The pleasant climate of May with moderate temperature and a few rainy days provides a great opportunity for visitors to have a relaxing city walk in Sapporo, the biggest city in Hokkaido. In the Shiroi Koibito Park, you can experience making chocolate cookies by yourself and print your photos on the cookie box. The Former Hokkaido Government Office is also worth visiting. It was built based on the Massachusetts State House with approximately 2.5 million red bricks. If you want to experience the local life, Tanukikoji Street is a good choice, where you can taste authentic Sapporo cuisine and purchase various souvenirs.

May Weather for Other Cities in Japan:

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

Hokkaido Weather by Month