| January |
New Year's visit to a shrine |
| Japanese people customarily visit temples and shrines during the first few days of January to make wishes for the year ahead and purchase omamori or lucky charms. Starting at midnight on New Year's Day, more than 700,000 people visit Hokkaido Shrine located close to the downtown area of Sapporo. |
| Ski jumping |
| Ski jumping competitions are annually held in Sapporo from January to March including numerous national, international and World Cup events. World famous jumpers demonstrate their techniques, jumping from the Okurayama Jump Hill that overlooks Odori Park in the center of the city below. |
Local temperature and what to wear
7.7°C - -0.9°C. In January, which is the coldest month of the year, it can snow almost every day. A thick coat, hat and gloves are indispensable. Anti-slipping devices can be bought from local stores to attach to your shoes, for walking on icy paths. |
| February |
Sapporo Snow Festival |
In this world famous festival, huge snow sculptures (as high as 15 meters), small sculptures made by local citizens, and works for international snow sculpture competitions stand in a row throughout Odori Park and at other sites in the city. The pure white sculptures sparkling against the blue sky on fine days is breathtaking, and they also look great when lit up in the evening.
Official Website : click here
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| Toyota Big Air |
| In this international snowboarding/straight jumping competition, the world's best snowboard aerialists delight spectators with their acrobatic jump techniques from a slope with a height of more than 30 meters. |
Local temperature and what to wear
-7.2°C - -0.3°C. As in January, cold weather outfits are a must. Watch your step at the Snow Festival venues, where it can be particularly slippery. |
| March |
Asia Cup International Dog-sled Race |
| Attracting more than 100 teams from within and outside Hokkaido, this event also serves as a national preliminary to the World Cup. Enjoy the spectacular sights of the dogs' dynamic runs through the snowfield. |
| J League season starts |
| In one of the opening games of the season, Consadole Sapporo, Hokkaido's first professional sports team, plays at the Sapporo Dome. The facility is unique, being the first in the world to have a hovering natural grass soccer pitch, which can be floated in and out of the building to allow it to serve a dual purpose as a soccer stadium and baseball park. |
| Professional baseball season starts |
| Pro baseball team, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, multiple Pacific League and Japan Series Champions, hold games at the Sapporo Dome. |
Local temperature and what to wear
-3.5°C - 3.5°C. Snow begins to melt, but the highest temperature still remains below zero on some days. Winter clothes are necessary. |
| April |
Cherry blossom viewing |
| Cherry blossom viewing is a popular tradition during spring in Japan, and the flowers reach their full bloom from the around the end of April in Sapporo. Maruyama Park, a renowned site for beautiful and numerous blossoms, is particularly popular and attracts many local residents enjoying 'hanami' barbeque parties while admiring the sights. There are many chic restaurants and stores in and around the park. |
Local temperature and what to wear
2.7°C - 11.1°C Snow melts in the downtown area, but there are still some cold days. You should bring a coat just in case. |
| May |
Sapporo Lilac Festival |
A variety of events are held in Odori Park in late May, when lilacs - the official tree of Sapporo - are in full bloom. Visitors can also experience a traditional tea ceremony held in the open air.
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Local temperature and what to wear
7.8°C - 17.0°C. Flowers begin to bloom, but the wind is still cold. Bring a spring coat or jacket. |
| June |
YOSAKOI Soran Festival |
Initiated by Hokkaido University students, this festival has developed into the largest warm-weather event in Sapporo. Some 2 million local people and visitors line the streets to witness over 30,000 costumed dancers demonstrating their traditional and modern dance routines in and around Odori Park and other venues in Sapporo.
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| Hokkaido Shrine Festival |
| This century-old festival, sometimes nicknamed "Sapporo Festival" plays an important part in the lives of local residents. People clad in Heian Era costumes march through the city while pulling portable shrines and floats. The grand parade, reminiscent of historical paintings, is well worth seeing. Nakajima Park, south of the Susukino area plays host to a wide range of stalls and attractions. |
Local temperature and what to wear
12.4 - 21.1 You can dress lightly during the day, but a jacket or sweater may be handy in the evening. |
| July |
Pacific Music Festival (PMF) |
This international educational music festival was initiated by the late Leonard Bernstein to give young musicians worldwide a chance to nurture their talents. A variety of events including educational programs, concerts, and recitals by world renowned artists are held during the festival.
Official Website : click here |
| Sapporo City Jazz |
The world's biggest names in jazz, soul, funk and blues take part in a wide range of concerts and open-air Jazz events held in various parks and venues around Sapporo City. Having grown to become a world-class event in recent years, the festival attracts not just the big professional names, but also many hundreds of amateur artists who provide free entertainment for all.
Official Website : click here |
| Toyohira Raft Festival |
| Starting in 1975, this summer event has become a well established favourite in the summer season. Participants steer their way down the Toyohira River running through the central Sapporo area on various weird and wonderful hand built rafts, cheered on by thousands of spectators lining the banks. |
| Asahiyama Music Festival |
| Against the twinkling nightlights of the city, and dazzling fireworks in the sky above, a large choir of local residents enthusiastically perform a broad repertoire of music. The festival also invites renowned jazz musicians and opera singers active in and outside Japan. |
| Toyohira River Firework Festival |
| This firework festival, held on consecutive Friday nights from late July to early August, has become firmly established as a regular summer event. Large crowds of local residents and tourists make their way to the riverbank to view the thousands of fireworks set off from around the Toyohira Minami Ohashi Bridge. |
| Sapporo Summer Festival |
| Beer gardens and "bon" festivals are held in Odori Park. The beer gardens set up in each section of Odori Park become venues for various events, thus serving as one of the charming sights of summer in Sapporo. |
Local temperature and what to wear
17.1°C - 25.0°C The temperature sometimes rises above 30°C in the daytime, and short-sleeves are appropriate. Because of the low humidity, you may feel chilly after sunset, so a light jacket may come in handy. |
| August |
Susukino Festival |
| This festival is held in Susukino, the largest entertainment district north of Tokyo. It features the Courtesan Parade, in which women dressed in shiny courtesan costumes march through the streets. Portable shrine parades and drum sessions are also held. |
Local temperature and what to wear
18.5°C - 26.1°C Although the humidity level is low, the temperature sometimes rises above 30°C, so short-sleeves are appropriate. The temperature may drop significantly after mid August. |
| September |
Sapporo Autumn Fest |
A fantastic event at which to enjoy seasonal produce and local delicacies. Various recommended specialties from the region, and locally-brewed sake and beer are sold and displayed with accompanying performances on an outdoor stage.
Official Website : click here |
| Tour de Hokkaido |
| Japan's largest bicycle road race is held annually in Hokkaido. Some 100 teams of local workers, students and others bike through Hokkaido in early autumn over several days. |
Local temperature and what to wear
13.6°C - 22.0°C The chilly winds begin to blow and you may feel cold in the early morning and late evening. Mountain leaves change color from mid September. |
| October |
Sapporo Chrysanthemum Festival |
| The festival, now running for over 40 years, features some 800 specially grown chrysanthemums and other flowers from around Hokkaido, which are displayed along the path of several Odori underground shopping arcades. Seminars on chrysanthemum cultivation are also held. |
Local temperature and what to wear
6.9°C - 15.8°C A jacket is a must even in the daytime. |
| November |
Sapporo White Illuminations |
Sapporo's tree-lined avenues and objects in Odori Park and other places are decorated with dazzling lights creating beautiful views at night time around the downtown area.
Official Website : click here |
Local temperature and what to wear
0.9°C - 8.1°C It begins snowing and the lowest daily temperature sometimes drops below 0°C. Outfits for cold weather (coat, hat, gloves, scarf) become necessary. |
| December |
German Christmas Market in Sapporo |
This event was initiated to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the sister-city affiliation between Sapporo and Munich, Germany. With German stalls selling Christmas ornaments and sweets arranged in a market-square style at the foot of the landmark TV Tower, a real atmosphere of a German Christmas is created. You can have fun just by looking around while enjoying the good food and a cup of hot wine.
Official Website : click here |
Local temperature and what to wear
-4.4°C - 2.1°C The real winter has set in. The highest daily temperature drops below 0°C for much of the month and can occasionally dip into the minus double-figures, especially taking in to account the wind chill. Severe winter clothing is a necessity. |
