Hokkaido offers world-class powder skiing at Niseko in winter, lavender fields in Furano in July, Sapporo's snow festival and fresh seafood year round. Cool summers are a refuge from Japan's heat.
Month by month
Best: January, February, March, August, September, October
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Avoid Poor OK Good Excellent Peak
Worth avoiding: June.
How long to stay
5–8 days is the sweet spot.
Flight time
About 13h from the US East Coast, 14h from Europe, 9h from South Asia.
Good to know
- Book ski lodges in Niseko early for January and February.
- Rent a car in summer; the island is huge and public transport is sparse.
- Eat crab, uni and sushi at Sapporo's Nijo Market.
Plan a trip to Hokkaido
Pick your dates and Offdays builds a day-by-day itinerary from Hokkaido's best places.
Destination