Do you want to know what to wear in Hokkaido in Summer? Summer in Hokkaido is classified as June, July and August but the weather on this Northern island is quite different from the rest of Japan. In this guide we tell you what to pack for Hokkaido in Summer for weather, special events and more.
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Weather in Hokkaido in Summer
Hokkaido is the Northern Island of Japan (the Southern is Honshu) and as such the summer temperatures are cooler than the rest of the country, so what exactly can you expect of Hokkaido weather in Summer.
How hot is Hokkaido in Summer?
Although Summer is technically classified as June, July and August, the weather is cooler than in the South, and the cherry blossoms bloom later. Typically the average summer temperatures in Hokkaido hover around 20C /68F. However it is not unheard of for the temperatures to rise to 30C/86F.
How rainy is Hokkaido in Summer?
Hokkaido is not as rainy as Tokyo whatever time of year you are traveling. Of the Summer months August tends to be the rainiest so it is still a good idea to have a packaway rain jacket with you.
Note: For more specific guidance on what to wear across Japan in Summer check out our regional guides:
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 Summer
Want to learn how to pack light for Japan check out our 54321 packing method and the sudoku packing method here.
What to Wear in Hokkaido for Women
Packaway Rain Jacket
The summer temperatures mean you don’t need a thick rain coat with you. However, a packaway rain jacket is a must.
Lots of Hokkaido attractions are outdoors such as the beautiful flower fields and lavender fields. Therefore we recommend having a pack away rain jacket in case you get caught in a downpour.
Click here to shop rain jackets for Hokkaido.
Pants / Shorts
When looking at the best pants for Japan in Summer we recommend steering clear of jeans. They are uncomfortable in the rain and too hot for most weather.
Instead we recommend linen pants and smart tailored shorts.
Skirts and Dresses
On top of trousers I will usually add a couple of dresses or skirts to the packing list
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.
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.
T Shirts
T Shirts are a great base for Hokkaido in Summer. At this time of year I recommend packing a mix of both long and short sleeve t shirts.
Layers
As Hokkaido is cooler than the rest of Japan we still recommend packing some layers.
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.
Shop layers for Hokkaido here.
PJs
For those traveling to Hokkaido in Summer we recommend packing light weight nightwear.
Swimwear (optional)
No matter the season of travel I would always add some swimwear to your packing list. There are lots of spas and onsens to visit thought it is worth noting that some may require you to go nude
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying. The best socks for Hokkaido in summer are sneaker socks
What to pack for Hokkaido in Summer for Men
The packing list for men is quite similar as the ladies packing list for Hokkaido in Spring and we recommend packing:
Rain Jacket
A practical coat with some insulation as well as being water proof and wind resistant is a good idea for Hokkaido in Spring. The earlier in Spring you travel, the thicker the coat should be.
T Shirts and Shirts
A mix of long and short sleeve t shirts are good for Spring. A button down shirt is also a good ide for fancier restaurants.
Trousers
We recommend steering clear of jeans and wearing natural fabric pants and some smarter tailored shorts.
Shop men’s travel chinos here.
Layers
A hoodie, and sweater alongside your jacket are the perfect layers to pack for 7 days in Hokkaido.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
Including thicker socks.
Best Shoes for Hokkaido in Summer
Sneakers
Sneakers are absolutely the best shoe for places like Sapporo, and Otaru. These are great for walking around cities and cultural attractions and are comfortable for walking long distances.
My favorite brand of sneakers for walking are Hoka and AllBirds, however you also can’t go wrong with a plain white sneaker as they go with everything. One of my favorite pairs of white sneakers is the Adidas Cloud Foam shoes.
But on top of sneakers we also recommend packing:
Sandals
As the temperatures soar you will want a pair of breathable shoes. We recommend sandals. As there is a lot of walking over uneven surfaces in the historic centers and at temples and mountains. For this reason we recommend something like a Teva which is great for walking in.
What to pack for Hokkaido in Summer (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 Hokkaido a particularly unsafe place but this is a staple on all of my travel packing lists.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- 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
- Sunglasses – even though it is cooler in Hokkaido than the rest of Japan you will still want sunglasses with you.
- 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 Hokkaido in Summer Packing List
So now you know what to pack for Hokkaido in Summer we will answer your most frequently asked questions,
Can you wear jeans in Hokkaido in Summer?
Yes you can absolutely wear jeans in Hokkaido in Summer. In the hotter months however, you may find them a bit too thick. Instead we recommend items like linen trousers instead.
Have you been to Hokkaido in Summer? What did you wear? We would love you to tell us in the comments below!