Summer in Hokkaido can be a magical time. Following the cool spring season, Hokkaido Island gets more lively and colorful. Lavender and other flower fields, mouthwatering seafood markets, fun summer festivals, exciting beaches, and hiking trails... this season serves up lots of treats.
With this post, you’ll find all the information you need to know about Hokkaido summer travel, including weather conditions, clothing advice based on the temperatures, top attractions & activities, and best places to visit in Hokkaido in Summer.
Summer is the best time to visit Hokkaido, and many children have their summer camp in Hokkaido; the crowds begin to grow. So, make your Hokkaido summer trip plan in advance, booking your hotels and flights.
Keep reading to find out more!
Table of Contents
When is Summer in Hokkaido: Months, Temperature, and Clothing Advice
Top Reasons to Plan a Japan Summer Trip to Hokkaido
Best Things to Do in Hokkaido in Summer (with Best Places to Visit)
Hokkaido Summer Food: Check Out the Menu
Have Fun at the Hokkaido Summer Festivals and Events
Recommended 7-day Hokkaido Summer Itinerary
When is Summer in Hokkaido: Months, Temperature, and Clothing Advice
Summer in Hokkaido is in June, July, and August. The weather in Hokkaido is cooler and more pleasant compared to other regions in Japan. Hokkaido is not directly affected by the Japanese rainy season and has relatively low humidity. The average temperature in summer is 20°C (68°F).
Hokkaido Weather in Summer
In June: It is the early summer, with cool temperatures and occasional rain. The daytime temperature is approximately 18-21℃ (54-70℉), and the nighttime temperature is about 10-13℃ (50-55.4°F). The number of rainy days is about 10 to 15 days, and the humidity is not high. The grass and trees are flourishing, and the flower fields are gradually blooming.
In July: It is the height of summer in Hokkaido, but not too hot. And the sunshine is brighter than that in June. It is 16-25°C (61-77°F) during the day and about 14-18°C (57.2-64.4°F) at night. There is little rain and plenty of sunshine for outdoor activities. Lavender fields in Furano, Kami-Furano, and Higashikawa are in their best viewing period, but there are more tourists.
In August: It is the hottest month in Hokkaido. The air is slightly dry but still cooler than that in Honshu, Japan. The daytime temperature is approximately 18-27℃ (64-81℉), and the nighttime temperature is about 16-20℃ (60.8-68.0°F). Thunderstorms occur occasionally, but overall, it is still relatively dry. Autumn begins to show signs in the middle and late August.
Average Temperature in Major Cities
City Month Avg. High Temp (°C / °F) Avg. Low Temp (°C / °F) Sapporo June 21°C / 69.8°F 12°C / 53.6°F July 25°C / 77.0°F 17°C / 62.6°F August 27°C / 80.6°F 18°C / 64.4°F Higashikawa June 22°C / 71.6°F 11°C / 51.8°F July 25°C / 77.0°F 16°C / 60.8°F August 27°C / 80.6°F 17°C / 62.6°F Wakkanai June 17°C / 62.6°F 10°C / 50.0°F July 21°C / 69.8°F 15°C / 59.0°F August 23°C / 73.4°F 17°C / 62.6°F Shiretoko June 16°C / 60.8°F 9°C / 48.2°F July 19°C / 66.2°F 13°C / 55.4°F August 22°C / 71.6°F 15°C / 59.0°F Hakodate June 20°C / 68.0°F 12°C / 53.6°F July 24°C / 75.2°F 17°C / 62.6°F August 26°C / 78.8°F 18°C / 64.4°F Furano June 22°C / 71.6°F 11°C / 51.8°F July 26°C / 78.8°F 15°C / 59.0°F August 28°C / 82.4°F 16°C / 60.8°F
How Long are the Daylight Hours?
Summer in Hokkaido is characterized by a typical summer sunshine pattern at high latitudes. As a result, daylight hours are significantly longer, ranging from 13.5 to 15 hours. Especially in mid-June, daylight hours can reach 15 to 16 hours, making it suitable for a variety of outdoor activities. Hokkaido is a bit farther north than Honshu and the western part of Japan, so summer days are about 1 to 1.5 hours longer than in Tokyo and Osaka.
What to Wear and Pack
Depending on the weather and temperature in Hokkaido in summer, it is recommended that you wear a short-sleeved t-shirt/thin long-sleeved shirt, shorts/pants, sneakers, a hat, and sunglasses during the day. In the morning and evening, it is recommended that you add a thin jacket or knitwear, which is also suitable for mountainous areas.
Your packing list should also include a shawl/thin scarf, sandals, a raincoat, sunscreen, mosquito spray/insect bite repellent, and common medicines.
Top Reasons to Plan a Japan Summer Trip to Hokkaido
Is Hokkaido worth visiting in summer? Definitely.
With its cool climate and relatively little rain, it is a popular destination for summer vacation to Japan.
In contrast to Honshu, Hokkaido is virtually free of typhoons and has a stable climate, making travel less risky.
In mid-July, lavender will be in full bloom in the Furano, Kamifurano, and Biei areas. There are also colorful flower fields of sunflowers, poppies, and sage.
The air is clear and perfect for photography and sightseeing.
Daylight hours become longer in summer, so it is ideal for long outdoor activities such as taking photos, hiking, biking, and farm experiences.
Summer is the peak season for Hokkaido's seafood, melons, and fruits, and agricultural products such as sweet corn. Don't miss out on sampling local Hokkaido food such as sushi, roasted corn, and cantaloupe.
The Sapporo Summer Festival, the Hakodate Port Festival, and the Biei Flower and Fireworks Festival are exciting events. You can experience local folklore and nightly fireworks shows.
Best Things to Do in Hokkaido in Summer (with Best Places to Visit)
Breathtaking blooms, verdant countryside, hot springs, and mountains after the snow have melted together to offer unique experiences to Japan’s best travel destination in summer.
See the Most Beautiful Lavender Fields in Japan
Lavender Fields are a must-see in Hokkaido in summer.
Lavender in Furano and Kamifurano blooms in July. The colorful and dreamy flower fields are the signature landscape of Hokkaido in summer. Cycling or driving through the Biei Patchwork Trail, you can enjoy not only lavender but also other blooming flowers such as poppies and sunflowers. The idyllic scenery along the way is also aesthetically pleasing, offering endless photo opportunities.
Best Places to Visit: Tomita Farm boasts the largest lavender field in Japan (12 hectares), and the Biei Patchwork Road features a classic 15-kilometer cycling route.
Hike around to Discover Forests, Waterfalls, and Wildlife
The World Heritage-listed Shiretoko Peninsula is home to magnificent virgin forests, waterfalls, lakes, and wildlife for ecology enthusiasts and photographers.
It takes about 3 hours to hike along the Shiretoko Five Lakes. In June, you can see the remaining snow reflecting on the surface of the lakes. Observe brown bears fishing along the elevated wooden walkway. When you come to Rausu-dake Waterfall, you can drink directly from the cold spring here.
In addition to the Shiretoko Peninsula, the Daisetsuzan National Park is a paradise for hiking and nature photography in Hokkaido in summer. Even better, it's a secluded place to avoid the crowds.
Best Places to Visit: Shiretoko Five Lakes, Daisetsuzan National Park
Enjoy Various Fun Summer Activities at Otori Park, Sapporo
Odori Park, Sapporo's landmark park and one of the top Hokkaido attractions in summer, is filled with summer events such as the Sapporo Odori Beer Garden (every year from mid-July to mid-August), flower and greenery-themed exhibitions, Sapporo City Jazz and Yosakoi, and summer fairs and craft stalls.
Not only will you be able to experience the rich local culture and art atmosphere, but you will also be able to taste a variety of Hokkaido flavors.
Soak in the Hot Springs Embraced by Natural Beauty
For those looking for what to do in Hokkaido in Summer, don’t miss the Onsen (hot spring).
Jigokudani in Noboribetsu is the most representative geothermal landscape in Hokkaido and one of the sources of Noboribetsu Onsen. In summer, from 20:00 to 22:00, Jigokudani has a night lighting event (Jigokudani Illumination), creating a mysterious atmosphere. If you are interested, you can experience seven different types of open-air Onsen baths.
Toyako Onsen is located on the southeastern shore of Lake Toya and is one of Hokkaido's most famous lakeside hot spring resorts, with a history of over 100 years. Most of the Onsen hotels here face the lake and have a pleasant view.
Explore the Night View and Morning Market of Hakodate
The night view of Hakodate is hailed as one of the "World's Top Three Night Views". At 7:00 p.m., take the cable car to the top of Hakodate Mountain, overlook the port, and watch the coastline gradually change with the lights. It's extremely breathtaking.
Hakodate's early morning seafood market is also worth a visit. Local fishermen catch squid on their own, and the squid is always ready to kill. And the sashimi is still twisting 5 seconds after preparation.
Experience a Romantic Night on the Otaru Canal
Close to Sapporo, Otaru is a romantic and nostalgic port city for walking, sushi tasting, and Japanese glass products. Why not rent a vintage glass lamp and take a nighttime tour of Otaru Canal and capture the mirrored effect of the canals reflecting the Ishikura?
In mid-August, tens of thousands of rounds of fireworks will be set off over the sea, and the best place to see them is at the Asakusa Bridge.
Enjoy the Fruit Picking Experience in Hokkaido
Hokkaido is an important producer of Japanese fruits. During the summer, between June and August, cherries, blueberries, blackcurrants, plums, and many other fruits ripen. Many orchards in the suburbs of Sapporo, Chitose, Minami-Furano, Furano, around Otaru, and Yuichi are open to visitors for picking experiences. Fruit picking generally takes 30 to 60 minutes and is ideal for families. You can enjoy the beautiful countryside while picking fruit.
Hokkaido Summer Food: Check Out the Menu
As summer approaches, the cuisine comes to life with the weather and agricultural bounty.
For seafood, summer is the season when Hokkaido's sea urchins are at their fattest, and Rishiri, Rebun, and Shinkan-cho are particularly famous for their sea urchins. Other summer seafood includes abalone, octopus, and Hanasaki crab.
Fruits: Sweet cantaloupe is available in abundance from June and is often combined with ice cream for a summer dessert. Yubari and Furano are famous for their cantaloupes. Other summer fruits include cherries, blueberries, grapes, and peaches.
Cold soba and cold Hokkaido ramen are the best summer food choices. Many local restaurants offer cold noodle dishes, perfect for relieving the heat and appeasing the stomach.
Street food: Yakitori (grilled corn), cold skewers, takoyaki (octopus), and more are often served at summer events held at famous spots such as Odori Park.
Dairy products: Ice cream, milk pudding, and cheesecake from Furano and Biei are must-eats on a summer trip to Hokkaido.
Jingisukan: Eating grilled meat and drinking beer on summer nights is a traditional way for people in Hokkaido to cool off.
Have Fun at the Hokkaido Summer Festivals and Events
Hokkaido is full of summer festivals:
The Yosakoi Soran Festival (early June) is the highlight of Hokkaido's summer season. More than 300 dance teams and tens of thousands of people perform a fusion of traditional and modern dances in Sapporo's Odori Park, Hosono, and other places.
The Furano Lavender Festival (mid-July) features a flower field concert against the backdrop of purple flower fields at Farm Tomita in Furano City. Experience making handmade scented sachets and tasting lavender ice cream.
The Sapporo Summer Festival (mid-July to mid-August) runs for nearly a month in Sapporo's Odori Park and includes a large beer garden, a yukata night market, and food stalls. Enjoy the scenery during the day and drink beer and eat barbecue at night.
Asahikawa Summer Festival (early August), where you can watch colored lantern floats and traditional dances. There are also specialty street vendors.
The Kachimai Fireworks Festival (August) is Hokkaido's largest class fireworks display, combining beautiful music and brilliant lighting.
Lake Toya Fireworks Festival (end of April - end of October), where you can watch the fireworks on the lake every night. A night boat trip is recommended.
Recommended 7-day Hokkaido Summer Itinerary
Below, we recommend a one-week Hokkaido summer travel itinerary that takes into account: must-see attractions, top things to do, summer festival & events, so that you can experience the best of Hokkaido in summer.
Day 1, Sapporo: Odori Park, city sightseeing, yosakoi or summer festival
Day 2, Otaru (day trip from Sapporo): Otaru Canal, historical streets, glassworks
Day 3, Furano: lavender flower fields, Tomita Farm, Biei Quilting Hills, lavender ice cream
Day 4, Biei - Asahikawa: Aoike, Hilly scenery, Asahiyama Zoo, Asahikawa Summer Festival
Day 5, Toyako / Noboribetsu: Hot spring experience, Jigokudani trail hike, Lake Toyako night fireworks display
Day 6, Hakodate: Old Motomachi street, red brick warehouses, Hakodate night view, Minato Matsuri fireworks (August)
Day 7, Hakodate Departure: Asaichi seafood breakfast in Hakodate, Return to Sapporo or depart by international flight.
Plan to visit Hokkaido in the summer? Travel with Hi Five Trip!
For those looking for a guided Hokkaido tour that showcases its unique summer fun, here you can explore some of the best recommendations:
Whether you’re planning a lavender field holiday or a hot spring tour of Hokkaido, we can always tailor-make a Japan tour to suit your wishes.
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