January · Japan
Best time to visit Sapporo in January Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Sapporo in January
Average temperature -6°C, 81 mm of rain, about 18 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 79% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
January score
9.5/10
Ranked #1 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- -6°C
- Rainfall
- 81 mm
- Humidity
- 79%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 18
- Crowd Density
- Peak Tourist Rush
- Average Expenses
- $$$ · Peak Season Rates ($$$)
January in Sapporo scores 9.5/10 for snow and ski travel - the single best month of the year. Expect around -6°C, 81 mm of rain, and roughly 18 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
Sapporo is Hokkaido's grid-planned city, known for miso ramen, the Snow Festival, and ski hills within easy reach.
January: the best month of the year in Sapporo
January sits at -6°C (21°F), firmly in deep-winter territory. Plan compact outdoor blocks with warm reset points between them rather than full days outside.
81 mm of water-equivalent precipitation makes this a snowy month at resort level; what falls stays as snow, with about 18 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 9.4 hours of daylight.
On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Sapporo at 9.5/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, a packable rain layer, goggles and a helmet if you are not renting.
Budget for peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Sapporo in January?
- In January, Sapporo averages -6°C, 81 mm of rain, and about 18 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 9.5/10.
- Is January a good time to visit Sapporo?
- January earns a 9.5/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Sapporo in January?
- Expect about 81 mm of rain in January. Average humidity is 79% and there are about 18 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
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Sapporo, Japan. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.