Weather in December in Hokkaido
Thinking about venturing to Hokkaido this December and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:
What is the weather like in Hokkaido in December?
Hokkaido is a region in Japan. December in Hokkaido generally has temperatures that range from very cold to cold, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to high. December falls during the winter season.
Temperatures
Based on our climate data spanning from 1990-2020, the average maximum temperature is very cold in Kamikawa at -4°C to cold in Erimo at 5°C. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 0°C in Erimo and -12°C in Kamikawa. In many areas in Japan, December brings with it chilling temperatures. When visiting these parts during this time, it's of utmost importance to be ready. Choose clothing that is both layered and insulating to combat the cold effectively.
Precipitation
In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate snow/rainfall in Chitose with an average of 70 mm to high snow/rainfall in Rishirifuji with 148 mm.Average sunshine
Most areas see fewer sunny days, with a projection of about 87 hours of sunshine in Sapporo. This reduced sunlight makes it ideal for those who prefer dimmer, overcast conditions over bright sunny days.To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Hokkaido in December, check out the map below. For more details on the yearly weather, visit our Hokkaido climate page.
Where to go in Hokkaido in December
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Popular destinations
What is the weather like in December for the 5 most popular destinations in Hokkaido?
Sapporo
In December Sapporo generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 2°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Niseko
In December Niseko generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 1°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -7°C and high monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Hakodate
In December Hakodate generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 3°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -2°C and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Furano
In December Furano generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -2°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -10°C and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Obihiro
In December Obihiro generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 1°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -9°C and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in Hokkaido, in Japan.
Is December the best time to visit Hokkaido?
In our opinion, December may not be the ideal time to visit Hokkaido due to the typically poor weather in Sapporo.
Generally speaking, June provides perfect weather in Sapporo. In contrast, January, February, March, November and December tend to have poor weather conditions.
Interested in more climate information?
We have much more information about the climate in Hokkaido.
Interested in the weather conditions in a specific month? Select the month below.
Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Japan? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Japan.
Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.