What's the Weather like in Hokkaido in July?
Temperature
Summer has finally arrived in Hokkaido and although the island suffers from a certain degree of humidity, it is still infinitely more comfortable than on Japan's main island, like Tokyo, where the rains season is coming to a slow end. This is the time of year when you can confidently head out for the day without a jacket, as averages of 20°C and highs of 23°C are to be expected.
Night-time lows of 16°C are the norm for July and evenings can still be somewhat chilly, so although you won't need a jacket for daytime it's still very wise to pack one for nights out.
If you're planning to indulge in hikes and long sightseeing days, you may want to travel here at the beginning of July, when the summer heat is still not all that intense.
The last two weeks of the month, as Hokkaido moves to its hottest time of the year, it is not unusual to experience several days of temps above 30°C. In recent years, Hokkaido has seen a sharp increase in heat in July and August.
This is the second hottest month of the year, yet seen as though the daily hours of sunshine drop to just 5, the heat is quite bearable.
Rainfall
Rainfall is still considerable this month, which is when Hokkaido receives about 117m of rain, so best to pack a wet-weather jacket. Sea temps of 19°C can make a quick dip in the sea an enjoyable experience.
Hokkaido Hotels in July
Super Hotel Asahikawa
July is the ideal month to discover the Furano lavender and flower fields, and the best place to base yourself is the lovely city of Asahikawa. This is the second largest city in Hokkaido and one of the most pristine in all of Japan.
Spend a few days at the Super Hotel Asahikawa and you can be close to all the main attractions and only a short drive away from Furano. Rooms are rather small but they are cosy and clean, making it the ideal choice for just a 2-day layover. The inclusion of free breakfast and free access to onsen baths makes it a very popular choice.
Hotel Dormy Inn
If you'd like to visit Asahikawa but desire a little more luxury, then opt for the Hotel Dormy Inn Asahikawa, arguably the best hotel in town.
The rooms here are not that much bigger than at the Super Hotel, but chances are you won't spend much time in your room once you discover the indoor/outdoor, rooftop onsen! Inclusions such as free tea and coffee, free self-service laundry and free snacks make this an excellent value for money hotel.
Bars and Restaurants
Hokkaido if a foodie's paradise and revered for its high quality produce and unique specialties. Sake salmon, tsubodai and tuna are arguably Hokkaido's favourite fish and something which you'll find served in most restaurants
All three are delectable hot off the grill with a simple dipping sauce, although salmon in particular is also often offered in mouth-watering soups. Kani is the word for crab here in Hokkaido, and a delicious crustacean served in sushi rolls, soups, grills and stir-fries. The most famous crab hot spots tend to be in the Hokkaido capital, Sapporo.
Sapporo Kani Honke
Sapporo Kani Honke is an institution in Sapporo and a place you simply must visit on your way in or out of the country. This specialty restaurant serves a delectable crab set (Kinnomai) which includes sweet crab meat cooked in various ways so you can feast to your heart's content.
Asahikawa ramen noodle bowls are almost as famous as the crab, and a dish you'll find served in restaurants, guesthouses and noodle houses all over Hokkaido. Although there are literally dozens of different noodle soup variations, the ubiquitous ones found on Hokkaido are mainly three: shio ramen (in a salty broth), Shyu Ramen (with added soy sauce) and miso ramen (with miso, a fermented soya bean).
Beer in Hokkaido
Beer lovers will also delight their taste buds when travelling to Hokkaido, as the island is also very famous for its beer. Unbeknown to many foreigners, the Japanese are hearty and discerning beer lovers, and are actually some of the biggest beer consumers in the world. Sapporo Beer is something Hokkaido is very proud of, and you'll have innumerable chances to enjoy pints of this delightfully crisp ale made with 100% malt, no matter where you go. Locals drink beer primarily with their meal and find it a perfect accompaniment for particularly spicy dishes.
For this reason, the city's beer garden is actually a grill-restaurant which serves many different varieties of beer. For more info and details of how to find the Sapporo Beer Garden and Sapporo Beer Museum, simply click here.
Things to do in Hokkaido in July
Asahikawa
As soon as you arrive in Asahikawa, we suggest you head to the central train station, where you'll find an informative tourist info centre. Here you can pick up info brochures on all of the city's main attractions, as well as details on the very convenient hop-on/hop-off bus, which runs three different routes around town on an hourly basis. Don't miss visiting the famous zoo, home to polar bears, emperor penguins and king seals, it's quite outstanding.
Bicycle Tour
One of the most rewarding things to do in July is to hire a bicycle and take off on a day of fun exploration outside the city. Take the 20km dirt trail from the Asahibashi Bridge all the way to the ancient train station at Kamuikotan.
The trail follows a river for its entire length and gifts some splendid views of the Hokkaido countryside. A more challenging option would be to take the slightly shorter paved trail to Higashikagura. This will lead you gently upstream alongside the Chuubetsu River and along this route you'll enjoy breathtaking views of endless rice fields and the imposing sight of the Taisetsu Mountains.
