Hokkaido

Hokkaido Weather in March

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Hokkaido, Japan in March.

Thinking about venturing to Hokkaido, Japan this March and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in Hokkaido in March

Hokkaido, Japan is a region in Japan. March in Hokkaido generally has temperatures that range from very cold to cold, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to high.

Temperatures

During the day temperatures vary from very cold in Kamikawa at 0°C (32°F) to cold in Makubetsu at 5°C (41°F). At night it cools down to -6°C (21°F) in Makubetsu and -9°C (16°F) in Kamikawa. March is a very cold month in some areas, so be prepared and make sure to dress up warm.

For specific regional insights in Hokkaido, Japan, refer to the map provided below.

Precipitation

In March, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate snow/rainfall in Chitose with an average of 64 mm (2.5 in) to high snow/rainfall in Kamikawa with 104 mm (4.1 in).

Average sunshine

Most places get a reasonable amount of sunshine. Take Sapporo as an example - it receives around 151 hours of sunlight, offering a nice mix of sunny and partly cloudy days. Want to compare this with brighter destinations? Try our weather planner to explore your options.

Explore Hokkaido by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Hokkaido — and find the best time to visit. (based on Sapporo)

Best Places to Visit in Hokkaido in March

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Hokkaido.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Hokkaido

What is the weather like in March for some of the most popular destinations in Hokkaido, Japan?

Temperature range in Hokkaido (March)

Precipitation variation in Hokkaido (March)

Sapporo

In March Sapporo generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C (39°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
0°C (32°F)
4°C (39°F)
11°C (52°F)
Min temperature
-9°C (16°F)
-5°C (23°F)
1°C (34°F)
Monthly sun hours
102 hours
151 hours
177 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
67 mm (2.6 in)
69 mm (2.7 in)
76 mm (3 in)
Monthly rainy days
25 days
25 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Niseko

In March Niseko generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 3°C (37°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
-1°C (30°F)
3°C (37°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
-9°C (16°F)
-5°C (23°F)
0°C (32°F)
Monthly sun hours
102 hours
151 hours
177 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
85 mm (3.3 in)
82 mm (3.2 in)
81 mm (3.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
27 days
26 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Hakodate

In March Hakodate generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C (39°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C (30°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
1°C (34°F)
4°C (39°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
-4°C (25°F)
-1°C (30°F)
3°C (37°F)
Monthly sun hours
120 hours
160 hours
188 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
66 mm (2.6 in)
70 mm (2.8 in)
89 mm (3.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
25 days
24 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Furano

In March Furano generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 2°C (36°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -7°C (19°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
-3°C (27°F)
2°C (36°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
-12°C (10°F)
-7°C (19°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Monthly snow/rainfall
84 mm (3.3 in)
94 mm (3.7 in)
97 mm (3.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
24 days
24 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Obihiro

In March Obihiro generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C (39°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -7°C (19°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
-1°C (30°F)
4°C (39°F)
11°C (52°F)
Min temperature
-13°C (9°F)
-7°C (19°F)
0°C (32°F)
Monthly snow/rainfall
57 mm (2.2 in)
79 mm (3.1 in)
94 mm (3.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
17 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Hokkaido, in Japan.

Popular cities in March

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Hokkaido in March.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Sapporo 4°C (39°F) -5°C (23°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Niseko 3°C (37°F) -5°C (23°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Hakodate 4°C (39°F) -1°C (30°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Furano 2°C (36°F) -7°C (19°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Obihiro 4°C (39°F) -7°C (19°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Teshikaga 3°C (37°F) -7°C (19°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)

Hokkaido weather in March: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Hokkaido, Japan in March?

In March, Hokkaido, Japan generally has poor weather conditions. Sapporo sees daytime temperatures near 4°C (39°F), with nights cooling to roughly -5°C (23°F).

What is the average temperature in Hokkaido, Japan in March?

Sapporo averages a daytime maximum of 4°C (39°F) in March, with overnight lows close to -5°C (23°F).

Does Hokkaido, Japan get a lot of snow/rain in March?

Not particularly. Sapporo averages just 69 mm (2.7 in) of snow/rain in March, making it a mostly dry month for Hokkaido, Japan.

Is March a Good Time to Visit Hokkaido, Japan?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Sapporo, March may not be the ideal time to visit Hokkaido, Japan.

On average, the best time to visit Hokkaido, Japan is in June with generally perfect weather in Sapporo. The weather in January, February, March, November and December, on the other hand, tends to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Hokkaido.

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.

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