Hokkaido

Hokkaido Weather in May

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

Planning a getaway to Hokkaido, Japan this May and curious about the weather you should prepare for? Discover all the vital details you need on this page, solving your puzzle:

What to Expect in Hokkaido in May

Hokkaido, Japan is a region in Japan. Hokkaido, Japan offers a broad spectrum of weather patterns. In May, one might encounter temperatures that range from cold to mild, and precipitation levels ranging from moderate to high.

Temperatures

The average highest temperatures fluctuate between cold in Nemuro at 8°C (46°F) to mild in Otofuke at 18°C (64°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 7°C (45°F) in Otofuke and 5°C (41°F) in Nemuro.

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

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Rebun Island with an average of 73 mm (2.9 in) to high rainfall in Erimo with 131 mm (5.2 in).

Average sunshine

Many locations offer abundant sunshine during this month. For instance, Sapporo enjoys approximately 199 hours of sunlight, ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore Hokkaido by month

Best Places to Visit in Hokkaido in May

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 May for some of the most popular destinations in Hokkaido, Japan?

Temperature range in Hokkaido (May)

Precipitation variation in Hokkaido (May)

Sapporo

In May Sapporo generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 8°C (46°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
17°C (63°F)
20°C (68°F)
Min temperature
1°C (34°F)
8°C (46°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
177 hours
199 hours
188 hours
Monthly rainfall
76 mm (3 in)
92 mm (3.6 in)
91 mm (3.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
18 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Niseko

In May Niseko generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 16°C (61°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
9°C (48°F)
16°C (61°F)
20°C (68°F)
Min temperature
0°C (32°F)
7°C (45°F)
11°C (52°F)
Monthly sun hours
177 hours
199 hours
188 hours
Monthly rainfall
81 mm (3.2 in)
92 mm (3.6 in)
85 mm (3.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
18 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Hakodate

In May Hakodate generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 13°C (55°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 8°C (46°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
8°C (46°F)
13°C (55°F)
17°C (63°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
8°C (46°F)
13°C (55°F)
Monthly sun hours
188 hours
195 hours
175 hours
Monthly rainfall
89 mm (3.5 in)
119 mm (4.7 in)
128 mm (5 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
18 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Furano

In May Furano generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 16°C (61°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
9°C (48°F)
16°C (61°F)
20°C (68°F)
Min temperature
-1°C (30°F)
6°C (43°F)
11°C (52°F)
Monthly rainfall
97 mm (3.8 in)
104 mm (4.1 in)
98 mm (3.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
19 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Obihiro

In May Obihiro generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
17°C (63°F)
20°C (68°F)
Min temperature
0°C (32°F)
7°C (45°F)
11°C (52°F)
Monthly rainfall
94 mm (3.7 in)
109 mm (4.3 in)
102 mm (4 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
18 days
20 days
Weather conditions

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

Popular cities in May

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

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Sapporo 17°C (63°F) 8°C (46°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Niseko 16°C (61°F) 7°C (45°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Hakodate 13°C (55°F) 8°C (46°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Furano 16°C (61°F) 6°C (43°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Obihiro 17°C (63°F) 7°C (45°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Teshikaga 16°C (61°F) 6°C (43°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)

Hokkaido weather in May: frequently asked questions

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

Hokkaido, Japan typically experiences tolerable weather in May, part of the season. Daytime highs in Sapporo average around 17°C (63°F), and temperatures drop to about 8°C (46°F) at night.

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

Average temperatures in Hokkaido, Japan during May range from a nighttime low near 8°C (46°F) to a daytime high around 17°C (63°F) in Sapporo.

Does Hokkaido, Japan get a lot of rain in May?

May is on the drier side in Hokkaido, Japan. Sapporo averages only about 92 mm (3.6 in), with most days staying dry.

Is May a Good Time to Visit Hokkaido, Japan?

In our opinion, May is a good time to visit Hokkaido, Japan with overall tolerable weather in Sapporo. However, the weather conditions may vary depending on your destination.

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.

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.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.