Sapporo weather
in January
“Cool and moody. Best paired with warm rooms and long lunches.”
Roughly 16 rainy days across the month, on average.
In january, Sapporo settles into its cold, contemplative stillness. The city keeps a different pulse than in summer or midwinter, and travellers who arrive with the right expectations are rewarded.
Days average around -2°C (28°F), cooling to -9°C after sunset. Rainfall is moderate — around 16 rainy days spread through the month.
These figures are climatological averages, drawn from a decade of daily records via the Open-Meteo Archive — not a forecast. But they are honest, and they are the sort of thing a good travel guide ought to tell you before you book the flight.
What to pack for Sapporo in January
- •A properly warm coat — not a fashion piece
- •A compact travel umbrella — one you'll actually carry
- •A merino base layer for the cold evenings
- •Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes
- •A small daypack that won't look like a tourist beacon
What to pack for Sapporo in January
- →Merino wool base layerAmazon · shop this
- →Insulated puffer jacketAmazon · shop this
- →Thermal glovesAmazon · shop this
- →Compact travel umbrellaAmazon · shop this
- →Universal travel adapterAmazon · shop this
- →Compression packing cubesAmazon · shop this
We may earn a small commission on any purchase — it doesn't change the price you pay.
Where to stay in Sapporo
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in Sapporo across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→Other places with a similar climate right now
Sapporo in January — FAQ
Q01Is January a good time to visit Sapporo?
Is January a good time to visit Sapporo?
It is a challenging month — you may want to consider another time of year. In January, Sapporo averages a high of -2°C (28°F) and a low of -9°C (16°F), with 68mm of rainfall across roughly 16 rainy days.
Q02What is the average temperature in Sapporo in January?
What is the average temperature in Sapporo in January?
The average high temperature in Sapporo during January is -2°C (28°F), with an average low of -9°C (16°F). These figures are averaged from ten years of daily records (2015–2024, Open-Meteo Archive).
Q03How many rainy days does Sapporo have in January?
How many rainy days does Sapporo have in January?
Sapporo averages approximately 16 rainy days in January, with a total monthly rainfall of about 68mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04What should I pack for Sapporo in January?
What should I pack for Sapporo in January?
For Sapporo in January, pack a warm winter coat, a merino base layer for evenings, a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on the ten-year weather averages for this specific month.
Q05How crowded is Sapporo in January?
How crowded is Sapporo in January?
Tourist crowds in Sapporo during January are typically low — winter is off-season, meaning quiet streets and better hotel deals. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely.