Japan Weather Today日本語Otaru weather today
A canal town near Sapporo, known for glasswork, sushi and old stone warehouses. Here is today's forecast, the best time to go and what to expect in every season.
Best time to visit Otaru
February for the Snow Light Path festival; June to September for mild weather.
Otaru weather through the year
- Winters are long and snowy, from December to March, often below freezing all day.
- There is no real rainy season, so June and July are good months to visit.
- Summers are pleasant and drier than in the rest of Japan, often around 25°C.
- Autumn is short and colourful; the first snow can fall in late October or November.
Otaru by season
Spring (March to May)
What to do: Cherry blossom in early May, and seafood markets.
What to wear: A warm jacket: April can still be cold and snowy, May is mild.
Summer (June to August)
What to do: Cool summer days along the canal and the coast.
What to wear: Light clothes and a sweater for cool evenings.
Autumn (September to November)
What to do: Autumn leaves in October and the start of the cold season.
What to wear: A warm jacket and layers; it cools quickly in October.
Winter (December to February)
What to do: The Snow Light Path festival lights the canal with candles in February.
What to wear: A heavy winter coat, thermal layers, gloves, a hat and snow boots with grip.
More than a forecast
- Hour-by-hour forecast with rain timing, feels-like temperature, UV and daily tips.
- Rain radar from JMA, 3 hours back and 15 hours ahead, plus live Himawari satellite clouds.
- Official warnings: heavy rain, heatstroke alerts, earthquakes, tsunami and typhoons, in plain English.
- Trip planner and road trips: the weather for every stop, and every rest stop on your route.
- 7 languages: English, 日本語, Deutsch, Français, Italiano, Español and 한국어.
Questions
What is the weather in Otaru today?
The 5-day forecast on this page updates automatically. Open the app for the hour-by-hour forecast, rain timing and official JMA warnings for Otaru.
When is the best time to visit Otaru?
February for the Snow Light Path festival; June to September for mild weather.
When is the rainy season in Otaru?
There is no real rainy season here.
Does it snow in Otaru?
Snow covers the ground from about December to March; pavements can be icy, so wear boots with grip.
Is there a free weather app for Otaru in English?
Yes. Japan Weather Today is free, needs no sign-up and works in English, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Korean. It runs in your browser and can be added to your home screen.
