The first snowfall in Sapporo City is usually around November, with the full winter snow season kicking off from late December onwards. Beautiful snowy scenery continues through to around March, granting plenty of opportunities to make the most of winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing, as well as seasonal events like the famous Sapporo Snow Festival.

Although Sapporo is a major city with a population of around 1.96 million people, it is also known as one of the snowiest cities in the world, with annual snowfall reaching approximately 5m.

As there can be a large temperature difference between indoors and outdoors during winter, we recommend travellers wear layered clothing that’s easy to take on and off. In addition to a down jacket and cold weather gear, shoes with slip-resistant soles or snow boots will help you stay comfortable while exploring the snowy streets.