Hokkaido in March: The best time to visit Hokkaido, Japan (+ Unmissable Things To Do!)

Wondering when is the best time to visit Hokkaido? Here’s why my vote is for March!

Hokkaido’s geography makes it an interesting island to visit.

Even if your trip to Japan is short, it’s well worth saving a few days to experience this completely different side of Japan.

Because, boy, is Hokkaido different.

Sure, you’ll still see plenty of onsen, 7-11 convenience stores and ramen houses (serving some of the best ramen in Japan!), but Hokkaido is a world away from the lights and colours of Tokyo.

Busy streets filled with grey suits and oversized coats are replaced by desolate mountains and layers of traditional dress.

And, as much as I LOVE everything about the Tokyo lifestyle, Hokkaido has a real raw feel that should earn it a place on any Japan itinerary.

The question is: When is the best time to visit Hokkaido? Let’s take a look!

The best time to visit Hokkaido

Japan’s second largest island is over 800 kilometres from Tokyo, but only a few hours away by bullet train – so there’s no reason not to consider visiting Hokkaido.

Even if you only have one week in Japan, it’s very possible to squeeze in a trip to the northernmost island (albeit a very rapid one!).

The great thing about Hokkaido is that there’s never a bad time to visit.

Every season has something completely different to offer, so the best time to visit Hokkaido will depend on which side of the island you want to see.

In my personal experience, though, the best time to visit Hokkaido is in early spring. March in Hokkaido offers the best of both worlds: the winter wonderland unlike anywhere else and good enough weather to enjoy the island fully.

If you’re lucky, you may even get to see some cherry blossoms around this time!

That doesn’t mean that any other time is a bad time to visit Hokkaido, though.

When choosing the best month to visit Hokkaido for you, the big thing to consider is whether you would prefer to see Hokkaido in summer or Hokkaido in winter – because they’re very different!

Hokkaido in summer

In summer, Hokkaido attracts crowds of tourists who flock to see Furano’s famous lavender fields in full bloom and the natural art of Patchwork Road’s crop fields.

If these are top of your list of things to do in Hokkaido, summer will be your only option.

Even if they’re not your primary reason for visiting Hokkaido, there’s still plenty to see and do in the summer.

The mountains that are usually laced with snow are more accessible to hikers, cyclists and nature lovers, making it a great season to enjoy ecotourism.

Hokkaido in winter

Hokkaido in winter is a completely different story.

A true winter wonderland, colourful fields become endless stretches of colourless snow, which sometimes stand higher than the houses they surround.

In winter, Hokkaido attracts just as many tourists as it does in summer, if not more.

Many people, both Japanese and international tourists, head to Hokkaido’s small villages to take advantage of the many ski resorts for some winter sports.

Others head to the national parks to enjoy all of the natural beautiful scenery the island of Hokkaido has to offer.

Many of Hokkaido’s biggest festivals also take place during the winter months, including the annual Sapporo Snow Festival, the Sapporo White Illumination and pop-up events with see-it-to-believe-it ice sculptures by local artists.

Hokkaido in March: The best time to visit?

Given that there are so many things to do in Hokkaido – and such contrasting ways to experience Japan’s northernmost island – it might be hard to choose when to visit.

Summer and winter in Hokkaido both offer so many unique sights and activities unlike anywhere else in Japan (or the world!).

The best time to visit Hokkaido, though, in my opinion is somewhere inbetween the two.

Sure, you won’t get the full extreme of either season, but March in Hokkaido offers a nice balance of both.

It will give you a truly unique and authentic travel experience – the kind that will leave an entirely different flavour of Japan on your tongue.

Plus, if you plan to travel to Tokyo, Kyoto or other parts of Japan, there’s a high chance you’ll get to witness the country’s magical cherry blossom festival.

I visited Hokkaido in March and it was a fantastic time to go (if you can stand a little cold!).

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Hokkaido March weather

If you visit Japan in March, you can enjoy the beautiful Hokkaido winter season – including many of the seasonal attractions – without facing the harshest of the cold weather.

Thanks to the more mild temperatures, you can also enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking without having to brave the wildest Hokkaido weather.

What’s more, Hokkaido is quiet and almost free from tourists in March, meaning you can see the ‘real’ Hokkaido.

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Understandably, Hokkaido is a popular destination from late November through to early February because it’s one of the best places for skiing in Asia.

Snow is everywhere (and there’s a good chance you’ll see it falling!) in March, so the ski resorts are still in full swing – but the number of tourists is much lower.

When we visited the small but popular ski village of Sounkyo, there were only a handful of skiers enjoying its slope on a Friday afternoon and ski rental was a very affordable $35 dollars per day. 

If you visit just after peak ski season, though, you can enjoy some of the island’s summer activities while the magic of the Hokkaido winter still lingers very visibly.

It’s still a little chilly but sunny on most days – just make sure you add some sunglasses to your Japan packing list because it gets bright with all the white snow around!

And then there are the landscapes. If there’s one reason you should visit Hokkaido in the winter, it’s to see the landscapes.

Many of the villages in Hokkaido are built into valleys surrounded by jagged mountains.

Pack your camera – and make sure it’s insured – because there are plenty of amazing travel photography opportunities.

It also makes for an (arguably even more) amazing view to wake up to when you get out of bed in the morning.

That alone is an experience that’s worth braving the Hokkaido winter weather for!

I’m usually the kind of person to run away at the first sight of anything cold and white, but the snow and ice made Hokkaido’s landscapes so dramatic and dreamy.

As for the two Canadians travelling with me? I knew it was some pretty epic snow when even they were impressed.

Adding Hokkaido to your Japan itinerary

March is also a great time to visit Hokkaido because you can time it with the Hanami cherry blossom festival in the south of Japan. 

While Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are bursting into bloom, Hokkaido is still waist-deep in snow – meaning you can enjoy two of the best things to do in Japan in one trip.

Plus, if you time it well, you’ll be able to make it to the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival and still travel back down south in time for the blossoms.

Just make sure you take your trip to Hokkaido into consideration when you’re planning what to pack for Japan!

And if you’re kind of gutted that visiting Hokkaido in March means you’ll miss out on the summer flowers, Hitachi Seaside Park is an easy 2.5 hour day trip from Tokyo by train.

Getting to Hokkaido

Even though the Japanese island of Hokkaido sits at the opposite end of the main island to the biggest cities and popular tourist spots, it’s surprisingly easy to get there.

As long as you have more than one week in Japan, it’ll be easy to fit in a trip to Hokkaido.

The New Chitose Airport has regular flights from other hubs in Japan, with transfer services available, there’s an even better way to get to the capital of Hokkaido and beyond: the Shinkansen bullet train.

The Shinkansen – or bullet train – is by far the best way to get around Japan, whether you’re travelling from city to city or island to island.

This speedy must-ride train will take you all the way from Tokyo to Hakodate in just four hours, or Sapporo in five.

Best of all, if you have a Japan Rail Pass (or JR Pass, as it’s more commonly known), the trip will be included.

If you were on the fence about buying a JR Pass for your trip to Japan, adding Hokkaido to your Japan itinerary will surely make it worth it.

Not only did we use the pass to get to Hokkaido, but we travelled around Hokkaido exclusively by train too.

To get the best deal on the Japan Rail Pass, buy it before you arrive. You can have it delivered directly to your home or hotel, or collect it in Japan when you arrive.

Hokkaido Accommodation: Where to stay in March

Hokkaido has so many cool cities and cute villages that there’s no shortage of places to stay and things to see.

The bad news is you will probably only scratch the surface of this magical winter island, but the good news is that it will be pretty incredible wherever you end up.

Most visitors enter (and leave) Hokkaido island via Sapporo. Hokkaido’s capital city is a bustling hub of entertainment, dining and shopping.

There’s not a whole lot to see and do in Sapporo – compared to the rest of Hokkaido, at least – but it’s worth spending a night or two here.

Soak up the city’s atmosphere, watch the sunset over the city from the TV Tower, and prepare yourself to enter a more rural Japan.

Beyond Hokkaido, there are countless rural towns and smaller cities to explore.

Here are some worth checking out:

Noboribetsu: for an indulgent spa stay

Noboribetsu is perhaps the most famous onsen town in all of Japan.

Its iconic hotel, the Noboribetsu Grand Hotel, is the perfect stop for a luxurious treat with spa, massages and a choice between traditional Japanese rooms or regular beds.

If you don’t want to spend the night in Noboribetsu, the Yumoto Noboribetsu allows guests to visit the spa and onsen facilities for a very affordable day pass price.

You can also visit the Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura historical village to learn about Edo-period Japan first-hand.

Sounkyo: to get cosy on the slopes

A couple of nights in a ski village such as Sounkyo will be everything you need relax and immerse yourself in the Hokkaido mountains.

I spent several nights at Hotel Kumoi and loved the whole cosy experience.

If you’re a keen skier, you might want to linger a little longer, but even non-skiers will be charmed by these magical villages.

Akan-Mashu National Park: where art and nature meet

Eco-conscious travellers and art lovers will be equally delighted by this arty spot in natural surroundings.

Set in the heart of Hokkaido’s Akan-Mashu National Park, ARtInn’s unique location just three kilometres from Lake Kussharo is enough to add it to your bucket list.

Its unique design feels almost like an upmarket safari lodge. And if that wasn’t enough, it’s also a treat for design lovers because it features work by local artists.

Hakodate: indulge in the best seafood in Japan

It goes without saying that the best sushi I’ve ever had was in Japan. It’s simply next level.

And the best sushi I had in Japan was, without a doubt, in Hakodate.

For that reason, Hokkaido’s third biggest city is an unmissable one for foodies who eat seafood.

And don’t worry about overindulging – you can hike up Mount Hakodate to burn it off after (just make sure you pack good shoes!).

Things to do in Hokkaido in March

One of the best things about visiting Hokkaido in March is that you will get to experience a wide variety of the island’s best bits.

From food to ice festivals, March offers an eclectic mix for all kinds of travellers.

And, if you’re still not convinced that March is the best time to visit Hokkaido, perhaps these five unmissable things to do there will sway your mind!

1 – Visit a traditional onsen

A visit to a Japanese onsen (hot spring) is a must when visiting Hokkaido.

These geothermal hot springs were traditionally used as a natural bath for residents (and sometimes monkeys as well!). 

Although you can visit onsen in other parts of Japan, you’ll appreciate it more in Hokkaido.

There’s nothing like slipping into a natural hot bath when it’s freezing outside.

Many of the hotels in Hokkido’s ski villages have their own on-site onsen, but nothing can beat Noboribetsu for a truly unique experience.

Hotels in Noboribetsu are on the pricey side.

A more affordable way to experience the hot springs of Hell Valley is stay a nearby town (such as Muroran) and get a day pass to the Yumoto Noboribetsu hotel to enjoy the on-site onsen. 

2 – Explore Jigokudani (Hell Valley)

Right next to the Noboribetsu springs is Jigokudani.

This expansive area is one of the most unique landscapes you’ll probably ever see. Although its name is pretty foreboding, it’s a beautiful place to explore. 

Most of the trails close during the winter months, but a couple of them stay open.

You can easily spend a few hours discovering the natural hot springs, blowholes and impressive scenery – just take care if the paths are slippery!

Noboribetsu and Jigokudani is easy to access by train independently, but it’s also possible to book an organised tour that also visits Lake Toya.

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3 – Enjoy a unique ski experience

Imagine snow-covered mountains, frozen waterfalls and very few people for miles around.

That’s what the ski resorts in Hokkaido are like in March, long after the winter crowds have left but the snow hasn’t.

It’s a wintry heaven that even I, a lifelong winter hater, loved.

4 – Slurp on Hokkaido ramen

Why does ramen taste even better when it’s cold outside?

Hokkaido ramen is my favourite type of all – it’s so creamy – and it’s even better when you come in from the cold.

Even if you’ve tried ramen elsewhere in Japan, don’t skip this local dish while you’re in Hokkaido.

Just like the seafood, the ramen in Hokkaido is somehow even better than anywhere else in Japan. Mmmm.

5 – Devour the other local delicacies

Given how good the local seafood and ramen are, it’ll likely come as no surprise that Hokkaido is a bit of a foodie’s paradise.

One of the best things to do in Hokkaido in winter or summer is to experience the unique food scene.

Most of the best experiences can be found in Sapporo – even more reason to spend a couple of nights there – and include:

• learning how to make Japanese soba noodles in Sapporo
• a private market tour and local dish preparation
• eating like a local on a food bar hopping tour
• taking a cooking class in a local’s home

6 – Cool off in an ice pavilion

The people of Hokkaido LOVE an ice festival, so no trip there is complete without some snowy fun. 

The Ice Pavilion in Kamikawa is open year-round and extends outdoors during the winter.

When we visited Hokkaido in March, there were still ice sculptures outside to enjoy but few visitors inside, so it’s the perfect time to visit.

Inside, you’ll find ice tunnels, sculptures and mazes, as well as have the chance to face -40 C temperatures!

Click here to buy your ticket online before you go.

Planning a trip to Hokkaido in March

As you’ve hopefully seen, visiting Hokkaido in March is magical, but you’ll want to go prepared.

Here are a few more things to keep in mind when planning a trip to Hokkaido in the early spring.

Does it snow in Hokkaido in March? 

Yes! If you visit Hokkaido in March, you’re almost guaranteed snow. 

That’s why it’s possible to enjoy skiing at this time of year (but why the slopes aren’t busy at all).

Is there still snow in Sapporo in March?

While most of Hokkaido will be covered in snow in March, the capital can be a little hit or miss. 

You’ll definitely be able to see it on the mountains in the distance, but don’t expect to see it lining the city streets.

Some travellers would consider March the best time to visit Sapporo for this reason – because you can enjoy the Hokkaido snow and also escape it.

That said, it may be a little icy still, so make sure you pack good footwear!

What clothes to wear in Hokkaido in March

As you can imagine, Hokkaido is still pretty cold in March!

Make sure you pack plenty of layers – something similar to what you’d wear in Iceland in winter would be appropriate:

• A packable down-style jacket
• A few versatile, weather-friendly pieces (that also look good!)
• Waterproof shoes that are city-ready
• A swimsuit

Indoors, there are plenty of opportunities to warm up in the hot springs and other cosy ryokan hotels.

When I first arrived in Hokkaido, the “do not use air con – heating only” sign in the hotel had me a little bit worried (and not just because I hadn’t packed the right things at all).

Just the thought of visiting an island covered in 5-foot high snow might send shivers down your spine too, but don’t let the weather put you off.

You may get an icy reception from the air, but the people are some of the warmest in the world.

Seeing Hokkaido in March, when winter is still very much in the air but that air is starting to warm up in preparation for spring, is a truly magical experience. 

How many days in Hokkaido is enough?

I spent an entire week on the island of Hokkaido and there were still so many things that I had to skip on my Hokkaido itinerary (Shiretoko National Park, I’m looking at you!).

Even though I love the rest of Japan and recommend squeezing in as much as you can, you could easily spend several weeks in Hokkaido and not get bored.

If, however, you are short on time, I would allocate at least 4-5 days to explore Sapporo, Hakodate, Noboribetsu and – hopefully – a quick trip to one of the National Parks.