What's the Weather like in Hokkaido in November?
Temperature
By the time November rolls around in Hokkaido, autumn is a thing of the past. Short and sweet is how the Japanese call the mid-season, so if you travel here in November you ought to expect a most definite winter chill in the air. This is not to say that you won't enjoy the sight of splendid autumn colours, yet they will mainly concentrate on the hinterland plains. Your November days will be quite cold and rather short, with the average temp this month dipping to just 5°C. For the first two weeks of the month, you could still enjoy temps in the high teens, yet do note that by the end, days below 0°C are not all that uncommon, so book (and pack!) accordingly.
Rainfall and Sunshine Hours
Night-time lows of just 1°C ought to make for chilly evenings out in Hokkaido, and comfortable highs of 9°C still make all-day outings very enjoyable indeed. The average rainfall this month is 106mm (barely more than October) so at least your crispy days will not be marred by high humidity. With average sea temps of just 14°C, and only 3 hours of daily sunshine, (one less than Sapporo) it's fair to say the time for swimming or any other water based activity is now well and truly over.
Hokkaido Hotels in November
The Forest of Akan Tsuruga Resort Hanayuuka
November is a great month to explore the stunning Akan National Park, home to numerous lofty peaks, a surreal landscape and three stunning lakes. Book an onsen stay on the shores of Lake Akan, by far the most popular and striking of the trio. The Forest of Akan Tsuruga Resort Hanayuuka, a small but classy onsen hotel right on the shores of Lake Akan, offers comfortable rooms with great views, charming decor, two great onsens and delectable buffet meals. This if a great choice for budgets travellers who like to get the most out of their holiday funds and still enjoy a great ryokan experience.
Akan Yuku no SatoTsuruga
For a more luxurious splurge then book a lake-view room with private outdoor onsen at the Akan Yuku no SatoTsuruga, an utterly superb hot spring resort set within a most picturesque location and offering 5 stars across the board. From faultless service to generous and delicious Japanese buffets, dreamy onsens and sterling lake views, this resort is well worth its price tag. Book early for your off-season November stay and you'll be surprised at just how affordable this choice can be, when one considers all the inclusions.
Things to do in Hokkaido in November
Although November is still an extremely pleasant month to tour Hokkaido, it's worth noting that as far as activities are concerned, this is about as 'in between' as one could get. All summer sports are now no longer available and winter fun in the snow activities have not yet started. Now would be a great time to concentrate your experiences on the culture and uniqueness of this enticing country.
Lake Akan
The Lake Akan region is renowned both for its nature and for the amazing handicraft produced by its local craftsmen. When checking in to the Tsuruga Hotel, you will no doubt notice the two intricately carved wooden Japanese red-crowned cranes, which are a hint that nearby lives a community of supreme artists. Ainu Kotan is the name of the village where most resorts are located, and is nothing more than a single street where local crafters display and sell their incredible wares.
The Ainu people are Hokkaido's indigenous ethnic group and their culture, in these parts, is fervently kept alive through the introduction of mass tourism. Whilst it is true that the main street and local cultural shows can appear highly touristy, it is also true that in a country so intent on modernising, any effort made to keep history and ancient cultures alive can only be beneficial. Besides, the trinkets, sculptures and arts on sale are truly magnificent and if you're going to do a spot of souvenir shopping then they would definitely make for unique and meaningful purchases. The Ainu museum in the village centre is also a worthwhile place to visit and offers English commentary.
