Hakodate, located in southern Hokkaido, features a mild continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold, snowy, and windy, while summers are comfortably warm and humid. Rain falls throughout the year, but summer heat is rarely extreme. The city’s climate offers a unique blend of crisp winters and pleasant, mild summers, making it a year-round destination.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Hakodate’s climate is defined by cold, snowy winters and mild, comfortable summers. Average temperatures range from -2°C to 3°C in January and February, with frequent snowfall from November to March. Winter winds can be strong, and icy streets are common, so proper footwear and warm clothing are essential. Despite the cold, winter brings clear days and opportunities for snow-based activities, with local onsen providing a warm retreat.
Spring arrives late, with cherry blossoms blooming from late April to early May. Temperatures gradually rise from 3°C in March to 16°C by May. Summers (June to August) are pleasant, with average highs of 23–25°C and lows around 16–18°C. Humidity is present but not oppressive, and rainfall is moderate. The sea is warmest in September, reaching 22°C, though swimming is still brisk. Autumn is marked by vivid foliage from late September to October, with temperatures cooling from 22°C in September to 9°C by November.
Rain falls year-round, with the wettest months from July to September. Sunshine is most abundant in spring and autumn, with 5–7 hours per day. Winds are generally moderate, but can be brisk in winter. Overall, Hakodate’s climate is ideal for those who enjoy seasonal variety, outdoor activities, and scenic natural changes throughout the year.
| Average climate data for Hakodate, Japan | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 23 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -3 | -4 | -0 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 11 | 5 | -1 | -4 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 13 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 25 | 16 | 21 | 16 | 20 | 204 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 5 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 113 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 44 | 52 | 37 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 31 | 178 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 15 | 14 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 57 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 76 | 76 | 77 | 77 | 82 | 85 | 88 | 87 | 79 | 72 | 73 | 76 | 79 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 23 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 18 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 13 | 10 | 13 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 69 | 67 | 54 | 41 | 43 | 49 | 56 | 48 | 38 | 39 | 53 | 66 | 52 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
The best time to visit Hakodate is from late April to early October. Spring offers cherry blossoms, while summer brings mild, pleasant temperatures ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Early autumn is also excellent, with vibrant foliage and comfortable weather, making these seasons perfect for travel.
The least favourable time to visit Hakodate is from late November to March. Winters are cold, snowy, and windy, with icy streets and limited daylight. While winter has its charm for snow lovers, travel can be challenging due to weather-related disruptions and the need for special clothing and footwear.
Hakodate has a mild continental climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, comfortable summers. Rain falls year-round, and the city experiences four distinct seasons, each offering unique scenery and activities.
Yes, Hakodate receives significant snowfall from November to March. Snow often accumulates on streets, making proper footwear and caution necessary for walking and driving during winter months.
Cherry blossoms in Hakodate typically bloom from late April to early May, later than in much of Japan. This period is popular for hanami (flower viewing) in parks like Goryokaku.
Summers in Hakodate are mild to warm, with average daytime highs between 20°C and 25°C. Humidity is present but not extreme, and nights are comfortably cool, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
Rain falls throughout the year in Hakodate, with the wettest months being July to September. Carrying an umbrella or raincoat is recommended, especially during summer and early autumn.
For winter, pack warm layers, gloves, a hat, and non-slip shoes for icy streets. A windproof jacket is also recommended, as winds can be strong and temperatures often fall below freezing.
Yes, Hakodate offers outdoor activities in every season: cherry blossom viewing in spring, festivals and hiking in summer, foliage tours in autumn, and snowshoeing or hot springs in winter.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (23.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (0 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 11.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (19.6 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (-3.6 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.3 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (21.9 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (4.9 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 12.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (25.2 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is May (11.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 203.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (12.9 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is January (4.8 days). Over the whole year there are 112.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (51.8 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 178.2 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (15.2 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are July and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 57.4 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is July (88.1 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is October (72 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 79.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is December (24 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (12.4 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 17.8 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (68.8 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is September (37.8 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 51.9 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is May (Average sunshine: 8.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 2.9 h). Over the whole year there are 5.8 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July, August and September (UV index: 5). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, November and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.1.
