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What kind of season is Otaru in May?
May in Otaru is the time of year when the cherry blossoms are in bloom and you can feel the full-blown spring.
Especially in May, many tourists visit Otaru every year because of the big Golden Week (GW) holiday weekend!
Of course, this is also the time of year when many domestic and international tourists participate in the Otaru Canal, which is popular throughout the year, and other classic activities such as the glass-making experience.
If you are planning to visit Otaru, why don’t you visit some of the standard tourist attractions, but why don’t you also participate in some of the activities that you can enjoy only in Otaru in May?
In this article, we will introduce activities that you can enjoy only in Otaru in May, from the viewpoint of a local Hokkaido resident!
In addition, we will also tell you in detail about the weather in Otaru in May and what kind of clothes you can wear.
If you are planning a trip to Otaru in May, this article is for you!
Weather in Otaru in May
The average temperature in Otaru in May is a relatively comfortable 13.4 degrees.
It may be a little chilly to spend the day in short sleeves, but you will be able to feel the spring in Otaru that has finally arrived.
However, as for the maximum temperature during the daytime, it rises to 19.4 degrees Celsius, and it is the time of year when there are many temperature differences during the daytime.
During the daytime, the temperature rises to nearly 20 degrees Celsius, making it possible to spend the day in short sleeves.
Even if you can spend the daytime in short sleeves, you should be aware that it remains cold in the mornings and evenings.
The lowest temperature in Otaru in May is 7.5 degrees Celsius, which is the same as the average temperature around March in Tokyo.
Otaru is warmer than Sapporo at this time of the year.
Otaru is one of the warmest areas in Hokkaido, but be aware of the temperature difference between daytime and nighttime.
What to wear and bring in Otaru in May
In Otaru in May, the temperature difference between the daytime and the morning and evening is large, so you need to be careful what to wear.
You can wear short sleeves during the daytime, but it becomes cooler in the evening, so you may want to bring a light jacket.
Also, although it is finally safe to wear spring clothes, it is still cold in the mornings and evenings, so bare feet are not recommended.
It is necessary to keep your fingers and toes warm.
However, cherry blossoms will be in full bloom from the beginning of May in Otaru City, so you can enjoy sightseeing while wearing fresh clothes and seeing flowers!
Major Events in Otaru in May
Join Otaru’s famous Otaru Spring Festival in May!
Every year in late May, the annual Otaru Spring Festival is held to herald the arrival of spring in Otaru.
Quoted：Walkerplus
This festival is a participatory event where tourists can enjoy various events along with Otaru citizens!
At the Otaru Spring Festival, a special stage is set up in the Hanazono Ginza shopping street, where various events are held.
In the past, events such as the “extra-large dorayaki quick-eating contest” and “kimono show” were held.
Please check the official website for the schedule of the festival in previous years.
Quoted：おたるぽーたる
The Otaru Spring Festival is held not only at Hanazono Ginza Shopping Street where a special stage is set up, but also at other shopping streets in the city, so it is recommended that you can easily participate in the festival when you visit Otaru for sightseeing!
Otaru Spring Festival is a festival that is held by the citizens of Otaru, students, stores, and companies, and is truly a festival created by the locals!
The Otaru Spring Festival is a must-attend event, and one of the things we would like you to experience is the “Otaru Tokutoku Ticket”!
With this 2,500 yen ticket, you can choose one sushi restaurant and two restaurants from three different menus (noodles, yakiniku, and sweets) within Otaru City that are participating in the festival.
It is truly a “kuidaore ticket” for the gourmand.
This is a great ticket that allows you to enjoy delicious and exquisite gourmet foods that would normally be more expensive, but for this festival only, you can enjoy them at a very reasonable price.
If you want to try various Otaru gourmet foods during your visit to Otaru, this is the ticket for you!
The night view from Otaru Tengu Ropeway is a must-see in Otaru in May!
You can’t miss the night view from Mt. Tengu when you visit Otaru in May!
I recommend the Otaru Tengu Ropeway, which opened in December 1979 and has a capacity of 30 passengers.
The total length of the ropeway is 735 meters from the foot of the mountain to the top, and it takes only about 4 minutes, so it is easy to use.
This spectacular spot is actually a popular sightseeing spot even in daylight hours, as you can see Otaru Port and Ishikari Bay below in the daytime, and on a clear day you can also see the Shakotan Peninsula and the Shikotanbetsu mountain range in the distance.
At night, of course, you can enjoy the beautiful neon lights of Otaru City.
In fact, the night view from Mt. Tengu in Otaru is so spectacular that it has been designated one of the “Three Greatest Night Views of Hokkaido.”
You can see the beautiful night view of Otaru in May, as if it were studded with jewels.
I recommend that you visit Otaru in May because the temperature and humidity become lower in the evening and at night, and the air becomes clearer, so you can enjoy an even more beautiful and beautifully shining view.
Recommended Activities in Otaru in May
A sightseeing cab that allows you to enjoy the highlights of Yoichi and Shakotan all at once!
Otaru is a place where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in early May, but it is also a time of transition to the season of fresh greenery in the middle to late May.
While enjoying such spring scenery of Otaru from the window of the car, we recommend you to take a sightseeing cab to enjoy sightseeing spots in Yoichi and Shakotan at once.
In this tour, you can enjoy the Nikka Whiskey distillery in Yoichi, which was made famous by the TV drama “Massan,” and the spectacular “Shakotan Blue,” which has been selected as one of the 100 best beaches in Japan.
We also offer various other sightseeing cab plans to enjoy the sights of Otaru, so please take a look at the following.
Explore the great nature of Otaru with a horse! Horse Riding Experience
May is the month when the snow melts and summer season activities can finally be enjoyed in earnest.
One of the most popular activities in Otaru is horseback riding!
In this “Harsta Trekking” course, you will follow a forest road course with a panoramic view of Ishikari Bay.
The contrast between the blue of the sky and the green of the trees and Ishikari Bay seen from the top of the hill is spectacular!
Even beginners can enjoy this tour, and it is perfect for a memorable trip with family and friends.
Take photos in kimono with cherry blossoms in the background
Many women would love to take pictures in kimono under the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Because kimonos are not often worn, you will want to wear them during this special time for sightseeing, and you will want to take beautiful pictures.
May in Otaru is the perfect time!
Otaru features a townscape with many locations suitable for photography, including the Otaru Canal, a popular sightseeing spot.
There are also many retro streets that have remained from the olden days, so there are many spots where you can take photos that go well with kimonos.
Furthermore, May, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and the temperature is warm and not too hot, is the perfect time to move around in a kimono.
It is especially popular among foreign tourists, but recently it is also becoming popular among Japanese people.
Basho trip offers a variety of kimono dressing plans, including those that include hair and makeup, and those that include a professional photographer, so we recommend that you join the plan of your choice.
Summary : Things to do in Otaru 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
