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Visiting Hokkaido in Autumn 2024: Travel & Weather Guide for September-November

Visiting Hokkaido in Autumn 2024: Travel & Weather Guide for September-November

Last updated: 22 January 2021

Hokkaido is the northernmost region of Japan. Hokkaido in autumn gets very cold with temperatures lower than Tokyo and Osaka.

Here we’ll share all about the climate in Hokkaido in fall and the clothes you should wear at this time of year. In Hokkaido winter especially, you need to make sure you’ve got cold weather accessories such as gloves, scarves, and hats!

Table of Contents
  1. Hokkaido in Autumn (September to November): Overview
  2. Autumn in Hokkaido (September - November): Temperature and precipitation
  3. Visiting Hokkaido in September: Clothes and accessories to wear
  4. Visiting Hokkaido in October
  5. Visiting Hokkaido in November
  6. Related Articles on Seasons in Hokkaido

Hokkaido in Autumn (September to November): Overview

Fall landscape in Hokkaido
Fall landscape in Hokkaido

1. The temperature drops sharply from autumn through winter, and you’ll notice big temperature differences in the mornings and evenings.
In Hokkaido in autumn, the temperature falls quickly day by day from fall onwards. You’ll feel it getting colder at the start and end of the day as the temperature changes.

The morning and evening temperatures start to fall away in October, and in November it will sometimes be below freezing. Don’t get caught out by the change in season and the temperature differences over the day.

2. You need a coat and fleece from November onwards!
In Tokyo, a thin cardigan is quite enough to keep you comfortable at this time of year. In Hokkaido, however, you’ll need a light coat or a fleece. Even if you don’t need a coat in Tokyo in November, it’s best to have one in Hokkaido so you’re ready for the onset of winter.

3. Hokkaido has torrential rain in September!
Other than in spring, autumn in Hokkaido is when you get the most days of clear and fine weather. In some years, however, there’s torrential rain in September, and this is when you get the heaviest rainfall of the year.

What to do in autumn in Hokkaido: Flowers, Fish & Events
Autumn blooming flowers: Roses, lupine, marigolds, scarlet sage, glasswort (samphire), cosmos (all in early October).

◆ Seasonal fish: Sanma (Pacific saury)(September), salmon (September and October), hokke (Okhotsk mackerel) (September-November), shishamo (smelt) (October - November), oysters (October onwards), Ezo murasaki uni (Ezo purple sea urchin) (up to mid - October), Hanasaki crab (October/November).

Autumn Hokkaido events: Furano Wine Grape Festival (Early September)
Venue: Asahi-cho 1, Furano (Furano Ekimae Park)
Access: Short walk from JR Furano Station

Autumn in Hokkaido (September - November): Temperature and precipitation

Average values (1981-2010): Japan Meteorological Agency
Average values (1981-2010): Japan Meteorological Agency

Visiting Hokkaido in September: Clothes and accessories to wear

Visiting Hokkaido in September: Clothes and accessories to wear

Weather in Hokkaido in September
September often has the heaviest rainfall of the year. Don’t forget to bring a folding umbrella.

Recommended things to pack for Hokkaido in September:

・Men
Uppers: Long-sleeved shirt, cardigan, fleeces, etc.
Lower: Jeans, warm slacks
Innerwear: T-Shirts, long-sleeved shirts
Shoes: Sneakers, warm walking shoes

・Women
Upper: Long-sleeved shirt, cardigan, fleeces, etc.
Lower: Pants, skirt, one-piece dress
Innerwear: T-shirt, long-sleeved shirt
Shoes: Sneakers, warm walking shoes

Accessories: Hat, sunglasses, folding umbrella, stole.

How is the weather in Hokkaido in September?
Average temperature in Sapporo
18.1℃
Maximum temperature
22.4℃
Minimum temperature
14.2℃

Visiting Hokkaido in October

Morning and evening temperatures fall quite sharply, and feel a lot colder than the rest of the day. You should have some long-sleeved outerwear that you can easily adjust to keep yourself warm and comfortable.

Recommended things to pack for Hokkaido in October:

・Men
Uppers: Coat, fleece, cardigan
Lower: Winter pants, etc.
Innerwear: Heat Tech shirts, etc.
Shoes: Boots, sneakers, etc.

・Women
Upper: Coat, fleece, cardigan
Lower: Winter pants, etc.
Innerwear: Tights, leggings, etc.
Shoes: Boots, sneakers, etc.
Accessories: Stole, muffler

How is the weather in Hokkaido in October?
Average temperature in Sapporo
11.8℃
Maximum temperature
16.2℃
Minimum temperature
7.5℃

Visiting Hokkaido in November

Depending on where you go, it can be below freezing. You need to start wearing winter clothes to protect yourself against the cold.

Recommended things to pack for Hokkaido in November:

・Men
Uppers: Coat, fleece, cardigan
Lower: Winter pants, etc.
Innerwear: Heat Tech shirts, etc.
Shoes: Boots, sneakers, etc.

・Women
Upper: Coat, fleece, cardigan
Lower: Winter pants, etc.
Innerwear: Tights, leggings, etc.
Shoes: Boots, sneakers, etc.

Accessories: Stole, muffler

How is the weather in Hokkaido in November?
Average temperature in Sapporo
4.9℃
Maximum temperature
8.5℃
Minimum temperature
1.3℃

Related Articles on Seasons in Hokkaido

Related Articles on Seasons in Hokkaido
*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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