Otaru weather by month
2006-2025, 20 years of records · Not a forecast
Otaru is a harbour town about 35 minutes from Sapporo by train, and most visitors come for a day. The canal, the stone warehouses and the sushi restaurants sit close together, so half a day covers the highlights. Right on the sea, it gets heavy snow in winter, and the weather can differ from Sapporo on the same day. As part of Hokkaido it has no Honshu-style rainy season. The busiest time is around the Snow Light Path festival in February. In winter, waterproof shoes and gloves matter.
On the record, June, July and September were the most forgiving months for visiting Otaru, judged on warmth and rain together. The wet and dry seasons were distinct: rain days bottomed out in June and July (8) and peaked in January (23).
Each month in a line
| January | freezing cold, snow almost daily | −1° / −6° |
|---|---|---|
| February | bitterly cold, snow on every second day | 0° / −6° |
| March | properly cold, rain on every second day | 5° / −2° |
| April | chilly, frequent rain | 11° / 3° |
| May | cool and fresh, rain on many days | 18° / 8° |
| JuneGood | cool, occasional rain | 21° / 13° |
| JulyGood | comfortably warm, occasional rain | 25° / 18° |
| August | warm, rain on many days | 27° / 19° |
| SeptemberGood | comfortably warm, rain on many days | 23° / 15° |
| October | crisp and chilly, rain on many days | 16° / 8° |
| November | cold, rain on every second day | 8° / 2° |
| December | freezing cold, snow almost daily | 1° / −4° |
The 12 months in numbers
Seasons differ a lot. Highs climbed from −1°C in January to 27°C in August.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Rainfall | Humidity | Clear days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | −1° | −6° | 23 days | 148mm | 74% | 0 days |
| February | 0° | −6° | 19 days | 109mm | 73% | 1 day |
| March | 5° | −2° | 15 days | 83mm | 73% | 3 days |
| April | 11° | 3° | 9 days | 58mm | 73% | 6 days |
| May | 18° | 8° | 9 days | 56mm | 77% | 5 days |
| June | 21° | 13° | 8 days | 65mm | 84% | 3 days |
| July | 25° | 18° | 8 days | 98mm | 85% | 3 days |
| August | 27° | 19° | 11 days | 151mm | 83% | 3 days |
| September | 23° | 15° | 10 days | 123mm | 77% | 4 days |
| October | 16° | 8° | 14 days | 143mm | 73% | 5 days |
| November | 8° | 2° | 18 days | 160mm | 73% | 1 day |
| December | 1° | −4° | 22 days | 157mm | 74% | 0 days |
Enter your dates to see how that stretch went in each of the past 20 years.
Common questions
When is the best time to visit Otaru?
On the record, June, July and September were the most forgiving months for visiting Otaru, judged on warmth and rain together. The wet and dry seasons were distinct: rain days bottomed out in June and July (8) and peaked in January (23).
Which month is driest in Otaru?
July. Over 2006-2025 it averaged 8 rain days and 98 mm of rain.
Which month is warmest in Otaru?
August, with highs averaging 27°C and lows 19°C. Seasons differ a lot. Highs climbed from −1°C in January to 27°C in August.