Packing for winter in Hokkaido

When we think of Japan, it’s not often associated with winter, right?  Well, Hokkaido will definitely change that for you! 

Hokkaido’s winter is so beautiful that over 2 million people come to visit this white wonderland.  It’s an exciting time for locals and foreigners alike because of the incredible amount of powder that blankets the cities and the many snow festivals around to celebrate the season.  With hordes of visitors coming in to Japan’s northernmost island left, right and center, we thought that it only be right to let you guys know how to be prepared. 

What you pack can honestly make a big difference to your experience here in Hokkaido.  The seasons are all so distinct here, but with winter especially it really pays to be prepared with your luggage. 

Hokkaido’s winter is preeetty long, so if you’re coming anytime between late October through to mid April then this list has relevance to you.  It won’t be snowing till Nov (in Sapporo that’d be more around late Nov) but it will still be cold!  And on the opposite end, it will be getting warmer in April but the snow will be on and off until all of a sudden it just all disappears. 

Something super important to add here is that while the outdoors are super chilly, often when you’re indoors the temperature is warm/normal again.  So it’s important to dress in layers.  

Hokkaido is actually really quite large, so the temps and snowfall are obviously quite different from area to area.  But on average, Oct is when you start to really feel the cold, Jan and Feb are the coldest months, and April is when you’ll finally see the snow starting to melt away.  Check out the average temps below for a better idea:

Me personally, I’m all about that frugality and will often travel with no checked in baggage.  Even when I do get a check-in bag, I prefer to travel light to make the transfers just that little bit easier.  However, when we’re talking about Hokkaido over winter, I’m afraid it’s a whole ‘nother ball game. 

For anything more than a 2 night stay in Hokkaido I highly suggest getting at least 1 x 10kg check-in at the bare minimum.  For a shorter stay, you might get away with having just your 7kg carry on, but you’ll have to wear your coat, boots & heavier items on the flights in and out. 

I hate being weighed down and covered up with coats and scarves etc. when I’m in a place like the airport (which is warm inside) or when I’m making my way through the airplane aisle and having to jump over someone else to that middle seat (the worst, lol).  For some strange reason, when I’m hot and stuffy like that in a closed space (ie. plane, train etc) I actually start coughing, and sometimes if can get really full on.  So for me, it makes the transfers a whole lot easier to just wear something comfortable, check-in all of those clunky things in my suitcase & then chuck on my coat once we arrive. 

For the bags themselves, note that you will be lugging it/them around in snow!  So although roll-around bags are the easiest indoors, outdoors not so really.  Backpacks can be a great alternative, otherwise look at getting a roll-around 2-wheeler with big thick wheels built especially for uneven terrain.

First of all I want to start with the absolute ESSENTIALS for Hokkaido’s cold temps.  The items that are so important and will make your time here so much better if you have all of them. 

• A good coat 
• Waterproof boots (at least above ankle) 

• Scarf 
• Gloves 
• Beanie 
• Puffer jacket (optional) 

I’ve separated the above to the rest of the list because unlike the rest, you only really need 1 of each of these!  If you’re trying to save space or just don’t like having a heavy bag to lug around, I’d recommend just packing a single one of each plus the rest of the luggage below. 

I know I said that the above were the essentials, but those are really just the essentials for the cold.  You can’t really make a full outfit with them.. *picturing that in my head – lol.  We need the basics, that base for us to actually walk around coatless – which is more often than you think! 

• Thermal pants/stockings (1+) 
• Thermal long sleeve top (1+) 
• Socks (preferably wooly, 2+) 

Unlike the X1 List, these ones you’ll want to have more than one of these.  And that’s because although it’s cold so you’ll definitely need these for the outdoors, when you get indoors or in the train it can get hot and therefore you can get sweaty.  With these ones you’ll want to wash daily, so having a few in your bag will ensure that you’ve got a clean set for the next day.

All of the prior lists are the ones that I believe you really do need.  Without them you’re going to be quite uncomfortable/preeeetty damn cold.  This one however are those extras that you’ll want to bring to actually look nice once you take off that winter coat, lol. 

• Turtle neck 
• Cute wooly jumper 
• Jeans 
• Cute pants 
• Long skirt 
• Cardigan 
• Vest 
• Long sleeve shirts 
• Blanket scarf 

The amount of these will just depend on your luggage space and what you prefer to wear.  I mean, if you’re a guy you’re probably only going to have ONE long skirt.. 😉 lol.  But out of the above I’d say that jeans/pants are the most important here, as pants will be the most exposed and therefore the easiest to get dirty/wet.  A couple of these in the bag will do you well.  The rest are just for your own personal style.

The things that often get overlooked.  This list has what you’ll probably just be needing when you’re at your accommodation rather than what you’ll need for while you’re out and about in the snow.  

• PJ’s (that could be a set or your underwear, up to you!) 
• Singlets 
• Tops 
• Underwear (jockeys, knickers, bras) 
• Comfortable pants or track pants 
• Activewear (tights, yoga pants, running shorts etc) 

The amount that you should pack is totally up to you and more dependent on how many nights you’re here and what you like to do.  For example if you’re not planning to hit the gym, then exclude the activewear completely.  Obviously if you plan to do your washing often on your trip then you wont need so many of these.  So calculate accordingly!

• Toiletries (especially hair conditioner, as it’s not always available at Japan accommodations) 
• Japan plug adapter (2 pin, type A recommended, however type B also works in some) 

We’ve made packing for Hokkaido even easier.  Save the photo below and use this checklist to help you keep track!