Do you want to know what to wear in Hokkaido in Fall? Fall in Hokkaido is classified as September, October and November and is a fantastic time to visit especially if you want to see the beautiful Fall foilage and escape the summer crowds but it can be a challenge to pack for. In this guide we will put together some amazing Hokkaido outfit ideas no matter which Fall month you are traveling in.
In this guide you will learn:
- what to expect from the Fall weather in Hokkaido by region and month,
- What to wear in Hokkaido in Fall for weather, dress codes and more and
- any special events that may affect your Hokkaido Fall packing list.
Weather in Hokkaido in Fall
The weather in Hokkaido in Fall will very much depend on the month of travel. September is much warmer than the rest of Fall while November can feel quite Wintery.
How cold is Hokkaido in Fall?
As I said above, the temperatures in Hokkaido vary greatly by month. In September the average temperature is still a warm 18C so you can still pack your Summer capsule wardrobe. Whereas by November the average temperature drops to 5C.
How rainy is Hokkaido in Fall?
Each of the Fall months is pquite rainy with between 19-24 days of rain in each month.
Does it snow in Hokkaido in Fall ?
Snow is very rare in Early Fall however Late November usually sees the first snowfall in Hokkaido.
Note: we always recommend checking the forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.
What to Wear in Hokkaido in Fall
As I said above, layers are going to be your best friend for Hokkaido in October and November particularly. While in September you can wear your Summer capsule wardrobe.
What to Wear in Hokkaido for Women
Rain Jacket
As there are between 19-24 days of rain in each of the Fall months in Hokkado the number one pick for your Hokkaido fall packing list has to be a rain jacket. The month of travel will obviously affect the thickness required.
Click here to shop jackets for Japan.
Trousers
Trousers are a better pick than dresses or skirts for daytime sighting especially in October and November. And my favorite type of trouser to travel with are jeans. Personally I recommend sticking with a smarter pair of jeans as this will work well in all sorts of locations.
But September will still warrant having a pair of shorts or Capri pants on your packing list while in Late November you may want to add some fleece lined jeans to your packing list.
Skirts and Dresses
On top of trousers I will usually add a couple of dresses or skirts to the packing list, especially for traveling in September.
Personally I prefer to wear skirts and dresses in a maxi or midi length and during a rainy period I tend to stick to midi dresses so the ends of my dress don’t get wet in puddles.
For November you may want to add a sweater dress onto your packing list for evenings out.
T Shirts
T Shirts are a great base for Hokkaido whatever Fall month you are visiting. At this time of year I recommend packing a mix of both long and short sleeve t-shirts but by November I would transition to having more long sleeve shirts with you!
Blouse
On top of t shirts I also recommend packing some nice blouses that can be used in restaurants and smarter places. I try to stick to blouses made of natural fabrics such as linen and cottons for September but by late October I recommend transitioning to something a bit thicker like a lumber jack shirt. I particularly like adding something in Fall colors.
Layers
Layers are absolutely essential for Hokkaido even in Fall and the later in Fall you are traveling the more layers you will need. Depending on the activities you are doing will affect how formal the layers should be but I would usually pack a mix of sweaters, hoodies and fleeces for Fall.
Hoodies are a great casual top layer for sightseeing in the day at places such as museums, interactive spaces and galleries. However I like to have something smarter for evenings. My favorites are merino wool sweaters and cardigans that can be used to layer day to night transition outfits.
PJs
Depending on whether you are traveling in Early or Late Fall will affect the weight of nightwear you will want.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying. The best socks for Hokkaido have to be merino wool socks that are insulating but still thin. But if you are traveling in September, sneaker socks may be more suitable.
What to pack for Hokkaido in Fall for Men
The packing list for men is quite similar as the ladies packing list for Japan in Fall and we recommend packing:
Rain coat
A practical coat is again definitely worthwhile packing.
T Shirts and Shirts
A mix of long and short sleeve t shirts are good for Fall. A button down shirt is also a good choice for fancier restaurants.
Trousers
Jeans are great for sightseeing in cities. As well as jeans you may also want to add a smarter pair of chinos for nights out and fancier dinners. And if you are traveling in early September then shorts are another good addition.
Shop men’s travel chinos here.
Layers
A hoodie, fleece and sweater alongside your coat / jacket are the perfect layers to pack for 7 days in Hokkaido.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
Best Shoes for Hokkaido in Fall
Waterproof Shoes
For Japan in Fall I recommend having at least one pair of waterproof shoes with you. For November this could include ankle boots, but for earlier in Fall some waterproof sneakers such as the Ecco Soft Sevens are an ideal pick as the days in Fall are very rainy!
Ankle Boots
I recommend also adding a pair of ankle boots to your packing list for Fall. I don’t recommend packing any suede at this time of year due to the amount of rain.
What to pack for Hokkaido in Fall (September, October, November -Non Clothing
- Crossbody Bag – I always travel with this type of bag as it is a great pickpocket deterrent anywhere in the world. I didn’t find Japan a particularly unsafe place but this is a staple on all of my travel packing lists.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips. If there is going to be very haevy rain during your travel you may also want a waterproof cover.
- Universal Travel adaptor – Japan uses two types of plug a and b. Therefore you will absolutely need a universal travel adaptor whether you are coming from UK, USA or Australia.
- Power Pack / battery packs
- Camera
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Sunscreen
- Toiletries – for our essential toiletries packing list click here. These could be purchased in the big cities easily, however it can be easier when not familiar with language to have them packed with you
FAQs About this Hokkaido in Fall Packing List
So now you know what to pack for Hokkaido in Fall we will answer your most frequently asked questions,
Do you need winter boots in Hokkaido in Fall?
If you are visiting Hokkaido in September then boots are not necessary. However by November I would be adding ankle boots at least to your packing list.
Can you wear jeans in Hokkaido in Fall?
Yes you can absolutely wear jeans in Hokkaido in Fall. In fact they are one of the best trousers to wear in Fall in Japan however in September you may find it a bit warm but by the end of November you may also want to add a fleece lined pair to the packing list especially if you are traveling around the first snowfall..
Have you been to Hokkaido in Fall? What would you add to this packing list?