Hokkaido · Month comparison

October vs June

June ranks #1 overall vs October at #2. Mainland Japan in tsuyu, Hokkaido stays dry and 21°C — the season's best-kept secret.

Hokkaido October — fiery autumn colours reflecting on Lake Toya

October

#2 of 12 months

Best match

Peak koyo (autumn foliage) sweeps the lowlands — Lake Toya and Jozankei are fire-coloured.

  • ↑Lake Toya and Jozankei Onsen peak foliage mid-month
  • ↑Hot springs season fully on, snow on mountain peaks
Hokkaido June — green rolling hills near Biei with lupin flowers

June

#1 of 12 months

Best match

Mainland Japan in tsuyu, Hokkaido stays dry and 21°C — the season's best-kept secret.

  • ↑No rainy season — while Tokyo is washed out, Sapporo is sunny
  • ↑Yosakoi Soran Festival early June in Sapporo
FactorOctoberJune
Weather score
7
9
Value score
8
8
Crowd score
8
8
Events score
5
6
Atmosphere
10
9
Avg high temp16°C21°C
Monthly rain110mm56mm
Daily sunshine4.4hrs6.4hrs

October trade-offs

  • ↓First snow possible at high resorts, lift access not yet open
  • ↓Daylight hours dropping fast (sunset 16:50 by month-end)

June trade-offs

  • ↓Sea still cold (12°C), no swimming
  • ↓Brown bears active, some hiking trails restricted
See all 12 months for Hokkaido →October in detail →June in detail →
Scores compare months within Hokkaido. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →