What to Wear in Hokkaido in October: The Month Autumn Leaves and First Snow Share a Date (JMA Data)

The month autumn and winter arrive on the same day

Here is a coincidence that tells you most of what you need to know about October in Hokkaido.

In Sapporo, the Japan Meteorological Agency's normal date for the maples turning red is October 28. The normal date for the city's first snowfall is also October 28.

The leaves and the first snow arrive on the same average day. October is the month when you can photograph red maples in the morning and be caught in sleet that evening. Pack for both.

What the numbers say

These are JMA 1991–2020 climate normals for October.

Three things in that table are worth more than the averages.

The drop from September is big. Sapporo's average high falls from 22.8 °C in September to 16.4 °C in October, and the low from 14.8 °C to 8.0 °C. If you read a packing list written for a September trip, add a layer.

Inland is a different month. Asahikawa's average low is 4.4 °C, and its normal date for the first frost is October 9, more than two weeks before Sapporo's. Its first snowfall normal is October 19.

The east is the sunniest. All four cities get about the same rain in October, but Kushiro gets 177 hours of sunshine to Asahikawa's 126.

Autumn comes down the mountain

The colours and the cold travel the same way: from the high mountains down to the cities, and from the interior out to the coast.

City dates are JMA normals for the trees at each weather station, not for famous viewing spots. The Daisetsuzan and Jozankei leaf timings are rough guides, not JMA observations.

What this means for packing: it depends on the week, not just the city. The first week of October in Sapporo is jacket weather. The last week of October in Asahikawa, with frost at dawn, is close to winter.

Layers and a windproof shell

October rarely asks for a heavy coat. It asks for layers you can add and remove, and something the wind cannot get through.

1. A windproof, water-resistant outer layer. October rain runs to about 110 mm a month, and wind makes 8 °C feel much colder. A shell matters more than thickness.
2. A warm mid layer. A fleece or a light down jacket. You will wear it every evening, and all day inland.
3. Thin base layers. Two thin layers are better than one thick one. Buildings, trains and restaurants are heated.
4. Shoes that can handle wet leaves and rain. Snow boots are not needed in October. Waterproof walking shoes with grip are.
5. Gloves and a hat for the last two weeks, or for any trip to Asahikawa, Furano or the mountains.

The evenings are shorter than you expect

Sunset in Sapporo is at 17:17 on October 1 and 16:29 on October 31. The day loses 48 minutes of evening light in a single month.

That means evenings outdoors start earlier and run colder. At Sapporo Autumn Fest in Odori Park (open until October 3, 10:00–20:30) you will likely be eating in the dark, sitting still, in the cool of the evening. Bring the layer you think you won't need. More in our Autumn Fest guide.

If you are here for the leaves

Jozankei, a hot-spring town inside Sapporo's city limits, runs its "five great autumn views" buses in October 2026. All start from the Jozankei Tourist Information Center.

• Koyo Kappa Bus (guided): Oct 1–21, four runs a day, ¥700. Same-day seats only, first come, first served.
• Hoheikyo Dam Liner: Oct 3–25, ¥1,000 return (¥2,200 for adults including the dam's electric bus).
• Koyo Gondola Liner to Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort: Oct 1–20, three runs a day, ¥4,200 for adults for bus and gondola.
• Kamui no Mori free shuttle: Oct 1–31, 10:00–16:00 (last call 15:00). When you reach the tourist information center, call 011-598-4050 to be picked up. Not running on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Details are on the Jozankei Tourist Association's English page. Because most seats are sold on the day, arrive early.

If you are driving

October is when Hokkaido's roads start turning to winter, even though the cities do not feel wintry yet.

• Mountain roads close. In Daisetsuzan, the Ginsendai road is scheduled to close for winter on October 1 and the Kogen Onsen road on October 9 from 17:00, according to Kamikawa Town. The full calendar is in our mountain pass closures guide.
• Tyres change over. If your trip includes a mountain pass in late October, ask your rental company about winter tyres when you book. See what your rental comes with.
• Deer. Hokkaido police counted more deer-related accidents in October than in any other month in 2025. Almost all happen after dark, with the peak between 18:00 and 20:00, which in late October is well after sunset. Slow down on rural roads in the evening.
• Frost on bridges. Inland, the first frost comes in early October. Morning roads, especially bridges, can be icy before any snow falls. If ice is new to you, read winter driving in Hokkaido.

The packing list

In the order you will need it:

• Windproof, water-resistant jacket with a hood
• Fleece or light down mid layer
• Two thin base layers
• Waterproof walking shoes with grip
• Light gloves and a hat (essential after mid-October or inland)
• Folding umbrella
• A warm layer for the evening, carried in your day bag

Frequently asked questions

Q. Will it snow in October?

In the mountains, yes. Mt. Asahidake's first snow normally comes in late September. In the cities, it can: the normal first-snow date is October 19 in Asahikawa and October 28 in Sapporo. It rarely stays.

Q. When are the autumn leaves best?

It depends on altitude. Mid to late September in Daisetsuzan, October around Jozankei (where the leaf buses run through the month), and late October to early November for the city trees in Sapporo.

Q. Is a winter coat necessary?

Not for Sapporo, Hakodate or Kushiro in most of October. A windproof shell over a warm mid layer is enough. For Asahikawa, Furano or Biei at the end of the month, bring more. A Furano and Biei drive in late October is closer to November conditions.

Q. What about November?

November is the month snow falls but does not stay. See What to Wear in Hokkaido in November.

Climate figures on this page are Japan Meteorological Agency 1991–2020 normals. Leaf-colour dates are JMA phenological normals for trees at each weather station. Sunset times are from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. Event and bus details are as announced for 2026 and can change. See our main Hokkaido packing guide for the rest of the year.