What kind of season is Sapporo in May?

May, which includes the major holiday season of Golden Week (GW), is the time when Sapporo finally feels the arrival of spring with the blooming of cherry blossoms.
After a long winter, this is the season when the warmth of spring can finally be felt, and many Sapporo residents enjoy BBQ outside in the warm, sunny weather.
Sapporo at this time of year is also full of fun events.
In May, when the days are warm but the nights are still cool, there are activities to be enjoyed.
And in order to enjoy these activities, it is important to know what to wear and what the weather is like in Sapporo in May!
So, in this article, in addition to Sapporo’s May weather and clothing, we will introduce activities that you should definitely enjoy during this time of the year from the perspective of a local Hokkaido resident!

Weather in Sapporo in May

In Sapporo in May, you can finally feel the beginning of spring as the cherry blossoms usually bloom at this time of the year.
During the daytime, the temperature rises higher and higher with stronger sunlight, and the maximum temperature is often around 17 degrees Celsius.
This temperature is about 5 degrees higher than in April.

Since Hokkaido residents have a long, cold winter, just a five-degree rise in temperature is enough to make them happy and many of them go outside to enjoy BBQ’s!
It could truly be said that May is the season when people all over Hokkaido, including those in Sapporo, come alive.
However, from the end of May, there is a period called “lilac chill,” when you can feel Hokkaido’s characteristic chilly weather, so those who travel to Sapporo during this period should check the temperature on the weather forecast in advance.

What to wear and bring in Sapporo in May

As mentioned earlier, in May, Sapporo has many days when the daytime maximum temperature rises to around 17°C, but the minimum temperature is about 8°C, which is a large temperature difference from the daytime.
On days when the temperature exceeds 20 degrees Celsius, you can spend the day in short sleeves, but it gets cold in the evening and at night, so a jacket that can be woven over your head will be helpful.
In particular, it is likely to get very cold from 3:00 pm onward, so be sure to take proper precautions.
Also, since the maximum temperature may be as low as 6 degrees Celsius on some days, it may be a good idea to carry a light scarf in addition to a jacket.
This is especially necessary when camping where you will be outside all day.
It is not necessary to prepare a heavy coat, but it is a good idea to prepare several layers of innerwear.

Major Events in Sapporo in May

Sapporo’s May recommendation is Hanami (cherry blossom viewing), the only time of year you can do it

May is the best season of spring in Sapporo, when the cherry blossoms finally bloom.
Especially during the GW period, when the cherry blossoms are often at their best, Sapporo is overflowing with cherry blossom-viewing visitors.

Maruyama Park is recommended for Hanami (cherry blossom viewing.)
Maruyama Park is located in such a way that it can be easily reached from Sapporo Station by subway.
In Maruyama Park, the ban on the use of fire is lifted for Hanami during the GW period.
That makes it especially popular for people to enjoy BBQs while cherry blossom viewing!
In Maruyama Park, white smoke is rising everywhere, and the good smell of roasting meat fills the air.
And many Sapporo BBQers do Genghis Khan.
Isn’t it nice to enjoy Sapporo’s famous food while mingling with the locals?
Maruyama Zoo is also located near Maruyama Park, so you can visit the zoo after cherry blossom viewing.
Bring the whole family and enjoy a day of Hanami at Maruyama Park without getting bored!

Mt. Moiwa in Sapporo in May is recommended not only for climbing but also for the night view

Sapporo has such a beautiful night view that it was chosen as one of the new three best night views in 2018!
Therefore, it is recommended to go to various places and exercise during the day and see the night view at Mt. Moiwa.
Mt. Moiwa is 531 meters above sea level, and from the summit you can see not only the cityscape of Sapporo, but also beautiful night views of Ishikari Bay on the Sea of Japan and Mt. Mashike-Shokanbetsu.

At Mt. Moiwa, visitors can take a ropeway from the foot of the mountain to the middle of the mountain.
Moiwa Kanko Expressway, which will take you to the halfway up the mountain.
From there, take the “Moris Car,” a mini cable car, to the summit.
Then, a spectacular view awaits you from the top of the mountain.
You should definitely take a look at this amazing view!

However, during the GW period, it is expected to be quite crowded after 6:30 pm, when the sun sets and the night view is beautiful.
Waiting time for the Moris Car is also expected, so be sure to allow plenty of time.
In addition, depending on how crowded the area is, there may be restrictions on ropeway or tourist highway entry, so it would be a good idea to check the situation on the website in advance before heading to Mt. Moiwa.

Sapporo’s May is also the month of gourmet food, and you just can’t miss it

Of course, Sapporo in May is also a great time to visit, and delicious gourmet food is not to be missed.
Sapporo has many local specialties such as seafood and Genghis Khan, but the best thing to do during this season is to visit ramen shops.
Sapporo is famous for miso ramen, but there are many other kinds of ramen available.
As the temperature drops in the evening, it is a good idea to visit ramen shops while drinking alcohol.
Ramen tastes great on a cold body.

Recommended Activities in Sapporo in May

Trekking in Mt. Moiwa where you can feel animals and nature up close

Sapporo in May is popular for mountain climbing because the daytime temperature is not too high and comfortable.
Especially, Mt. Moiwa is located almost in the center of Sapporo city and is easily accessible within 20 minutes from the city center.
Moiwa is popular not only among tourists but also among citizens of Sapporo because it is a mountain that can be easily climbed.

Mt. Moiwa offers five trails that can be climbed even with light clothing.
The shortest trail is 2.4 km and the longest is 4.5 km.
Since the distance is not that long, families can enjoy the trails together.

Mt. Moiwa is also a beautiful mountain that has been selected as one of the 100 best natural features of Hokkaido.
Furthermore, Mt. Moiwa’s forests are designated as a national natural treasure, and we highly recommend that you visit because they show their seasonal changes.
In particular, in spring in May, you can enjoy the colorful blooming of wildflowers along with the budding of trees.
And if your timing is right, you might even spot some animals like the Ezo squirrels, foxes, and chipmunks!

Summary : Things to do in Sapporo May (weather, clothes and activities)

In Sapporo in May, the cherry blossoms will be in bloom and more days will feel like spring, so there will be activities that allow you to play outside all day long.
However, it can get chilly in the morning and at night, so it is advisable to prepare innerwear or carry a jacket so that you can adjust your body temperature.
In some cases, it may be unseasonably cold, so be sure to check the weather forecast in advance.

We hope you will use this article as a guide to enjoy fun activities in Sapporo that you can only do in May.

For Hokkaido activity experiences visit Basho Trip