This guide highlights what to expect from the weather, must-see seasonal attractions, and the best foods to enjoy during your visit.
Weather in September
September is one of the best and in many people’s view the best time of the year to visit Hokkaido. The intense heat of summer has largely disappeared, the humidity decreases, and comfortable temperatures make September ideal for sightseeing, walking, outdoor activities, and exploring Hokkaido's cities, countryside, mountains, and coastline.
In Sapporo, daytime temperatures during September generally become progressively cooler as the month advances. Early September can still feel pleasantly warm, while mornings and evenings become noticeably cooler later in the month. Average temperatures are generally around 18°C–22°C (64°F–72°F), although actual conditions can vary considerably from early to late September.
September is also the month when Hokkaido begins its transition from summer to autumn. The countryside gradually changes from deep summer green to the golden, red, orange, and yellow colors of autumn.
Rain is possible during September, and weather conditions can change quickly, particularly in mountainous areas. Visitors should therefore be prepared for both warm daytime conditions and cooler or rainy weather.
The coastal areas around Otaru and the Shakotan Peninsula can remain pleasantly comfortable during the first half of September. Sea breezes, however, can make conditions feel cooler, particularly during the morning and evening.
Central Hokkaido, including Furano and Biei, is especially attractive during September. The summer flower season begins to fade, but the agricultural landscape becomes increasingly colorful as crops mature and the first signs of autumn appear.
Mountainous areas are considerably cooler. Daisetsuzan National Park begins experiencing autumn conditions much earlier than lower elevations. At higher elevations, autumn colors can begin appearing around mid-September, making this one of the earliest places in Japan to experience koyo, or autumn foliage.
What to Wear in Hokkaido in September
Visitors to Hokkaido in September should be prepared for changing temperatures.
During the first half of September, lightweight shirts, comfortable trousers, and good walking shoes are usually appropriate for daytime sightseeing. A light jacket or cardigan is recommended for mornings and evenings.
As September progresses, temperatures become noticeably cooler. A medium-weight jacket, fleece, sweater, or warm cardigan can be useful, particularly in the morning and evening.
Visitors traveling into the mountains should bring warmer clothing and rain protection. Mountain weather in higher elevations can change rapidly, and temperatures can be considerably colder than in Sapporo.
Good walking shoes are recommended throughout September, particularly for visitors planning to explore parks, gardens, nature areas, or autumn foliage destinations.
A compact umbrella or lightweight waterproof jacket is also recommended.
Seasonal Highlights in September
Early Autumn Colors in Hokkaido
September marks the beginning of autumn in Hokkaido.
While many parts of Japan remain warm and green during September, Hokkaido's northern location means that autumn arrives considerably earlier, particularly in the mountains.
The Daisetsuzan mountain range is famous for producing some of the earliest autumn colors in Japan. At higher elevations around Asahidake, the first colorful leaves can begin appearing around mid-September.
As the month progresses, the autumn colors gradually move down from the higher elevations toward the valleys and lower areas.
For visitors interested in photography, September provides an exceptional combination of comfortable weather, dramatic mountain scenery, and the beginning of Hokkaido's famous autumn foliage season.
NOTE: The exact timing of autumn colors changes from year to year depending on weather and temperatures. Higher elevations generally change first, followed by lower elevations later in the season. In general, mid to late September bring on the exquisite colors of autumn.
Harvest Season in Hokkaido
September is harvest season throughout much of Hokkaido.
The island's enormous agricultural areas begin producing some of the year's most important crops. Corn, potatoes, onions, pumpkins, vegetables, fruit, and other agricultural products become increasingly prominent at farm stands, markets, restaurants, and roadside shops.
Furano and Biei are particularly attractive during this period. The colorful flower fields of summer begin to give way to the agricultural landscapes that make central Hokkaido famous.
September is also an excellent time to experience Hokkaido's famous food culture. Visitors can find locally grown vegetables, fresh seafood, dairy products, fruit, meat, sweets, and other regional specialties throughout the island.
For food lovers, September is one of the best months to experience Hokkaido's connection between agriculture, local communities, and cuisine.
Festivals and Events in September
Sapporo Autumn Fest
- September 11 – October 3, 2026
- Odori Park, Sapporo
The Sapporo Autumn Fest is one of Hokkaido's largest food festivals and one of the major events of the autumn season.
Launched in 2008, the festival brings together food and drinks from throughout Hokkaido and offers visitors the opportunity to sample regional specialties without traveling across the entire island.
Odori Park is divided into several different areas, where various food stalls each offer a different food and dining experience.
Visitors can enjoy seafood, meat, vegetables, regional dishes, local restaurants, beer, wine, and other Hokkaido specialties.
The festival runs daily from 10:00 to 20:30, with last orders at 20:00.
For visitors staying in Sapporo during the second half of September, this is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to experience Hokkaido's food culture.
The festival celebrates Hokkaido's extraordinary food culture and brings together regional specialties from throughout the island.
Different sections with different food stalls of Odori Park feature different themes, including Hokkaido regional foods, meat dishes, seafood, local specialties, restaurants, beer, wine, and other drinks.
The event attracts more than two million visitors annually and has become one of Sapporo's signature autumn attractions.
Hokkaido Art Fireworks 2026
- September 5, 2026
- Moerenuma Park, Sapporo
The Hokkaido Art Fireworks is one of Sapporo's major late-summer/early-autumn fireworks events.
Held at Moerenuma Park, the event combines a large fireworks display with music and the dramatic landscape of Isamu Noguchi's famous park.
For visitors who enjoy evening events, September's cooler temperatures make the experience particularly pleasant.
The fireworks provide a spectacular opportunity to experience Moerenuma Park in a completely different atmosphere from its daytime appearance.
Taiyo no Oka Engaru Park & Cosmos Festa
- September 6, 2026
- Engaru, Eastern Hokkaido
September also marks the beginning of the cosmos flower season in northern and eastern Hokkaido.
Taiyo no Oka Engaru Park is famous for its enormous fields of cosmos flowers. During the autumn season, the rolling countryside is transformed into a colorful landscape of blooming flowers.
The Cosmos Festa provides visitors with an opportunity to experience one of Hokkaido's most attractive early-autumn flower displays.
Iwamizawa Hyappei Mochi Festival
- September 19 – 20, 2026
- Iwamizawa
The Iwamizawa Hyappei Mochi Festival celebrates one of Japan's traditional foods through a lively local autumn event.
Mochi, or Japanese rice cake, has a long history in Japanese food culture, and traditional mochi pounding remains an important cultural activity.
The festival provides visitors with an opportunity to experience a more local side of Hokkaido away from the major tourist destinations.
Recurring Events
Jozankei Natsutouro Summer Lantern Trail
- June 1 – October 31, 2026
- Jozankei Onsen
- 18:00–21:30
Jozankei Natsutouro transforms the historic Jozankei Onsen area into an atmospheric evening world of lanterns and illuminated paths.
During September and October, the event begins earlier in the evening as the days become shorter.
The lanterns create a very beautiful atmosphere around Jozankei's hot spring town, forests, bridges, and river. In particular, Jozankei Gensen Park is lit up beautifully with these lanterns. Here you can also see a prominent statue of Miizumi Jozan, the Buddhist monk who discovered the Jozankei hot springs in 1866. September is an excellent time to combine an afternoon visit to Jozankei with an evening walk through the illuminated area. The event runs throughout September and October.
Recommended
1-Day Tour from Sapporo: Learn of The Indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido & Jozankei walking tour
Furano-Biei Norokko Train
- Operating through September 23, 2026
The Furano-Biei Norokko Train provides a leisurely way to experience the agricultural landscapes of central Hokkaido. Large openable windows on this train, let passengers enjoy fresh air and panoramic views.
The sightseeing train operates seasonally through September 23, allowing visitors to enjoy the countryside around Furano and Biei during the transition from summer toward autumn.
The slower pace of the train makes it particularly enjoyable for visitors who want to appreciate Hokkaido's enormous agricultural landscapes without rushing from one attraction to another. Highly recommended if you find yourself in the Furano-Biei area in September.
Featured Tours in September
Sapporo City Walking Tour in Autumn
Recommended Day Tour: 1-Day Walking Tour in Sapporo: Historical Sights of Sapporo
September is an excellent time to explore Sapporo on foot. The comfortable temperatures make walking around the city much more enjoyable than during the heat of summer.
Beginning in central Sapporo, visitors can discover some of the city's most recognizable attractions while learning how Sapporo developed from a small settlement into the political, economic, and cultural center of Hokkaido.
Highlights can include the Sapporo Clock Tower, Odori Park, Former Hokkaido Government Office area, Hokkaido Shrine, Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade, and many other locations.
Your guide will also take you “off the beaten path” to discover some of Sapporo's lesser-known sights and hidden gems.
Whether you're a first-time visitor, history enthusiast, food lover, photographer, or simply looking for an introduction to Hokkaido's capital, a guided Sapporo tour is an excellent way to begin your Hokkaido journey.
Otaru: History, Canals and Hokkaido's Romantic Port City
Recommended Day Tour: 1-Day Tour from Sapporo: The port city of Otaru & Local beer brewery
Escape Sapporo for the day and discover Otaru, one of Hokkaido's most atmospheric and historically important port towns.
Located approximately 30–45 minutes from Sapporo by train, Otaru developed rapidly during Hokkaido's settlement period and became an important center for shipping, banking, commerce, and fishing.
Today, the beautifully preserved warehouses along Otaru Canal, historic stone buildings, former banks, glass workshops, music-box shops, and narrow streets provide visitors with a glimpse into the city's prosperous past.
September is an especially enjoyable time to visit. The intense summer heat has disappeared, making it comfortable to walk through the historic district, while the first signs of autumn begin appearing around the city and surrounding hills.
Hokkaido's Indigenous Ainu Culture and the Natural Beauty of Southern Hokkaido
Recommended Day Tour: 1-Day Tour from Sapporo: Learn of The Indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido & Jozankei walking tour
Discover another side of Hokkaido through its Indigenous Ainu culture, dramatic volcanic landscapes, forests, lakes, and hot springs.
The Ainu are the Indigenous people of northern Japan, with a distinct language, spiritual traditions, crafts, music, and relationship with the natural environment.
Understanding Ainu history and culture provides visitors with a much deeper appreciation of Hokkaido and its identity.
A September journey through southern Hokkaido can combine cultural discovery with some of the region's most impressive natural landscapes.
Depending on the itinerary, visitors can experience areas around Lake Shikotsu, Lake Toya, Shiraoi, Noboribetsu, and The Ainu Pirka Kotan in Kogane(very near Jozankei).
September's comfortable temperatures make this an excellent time for walking and sightseeing.
The forests remain lush green during the early part of the month while the first signs of autumn gradually appear later in September.
For travelers interested in experiencing Hokkaido beyond Sapporo's urban attractions, this combination of Indigenous culture, history, nature, lakes, forests, and hot springs provides an excellent introduction to the island.
Recommended
1-Day Tour from Sapporo: Learn of The Indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido & Jozankei walking tour
Plan Your September Visit
Whether you're drawn to early autumn foliage, agricultural landscapes, coastal scenery, food festivals, onsen relaxation, architecture, Indigenous culture, or simply comfortable sightseeing weather, Hokkaido in September offers an exceptional balance of nature, culture, food, and outdoor adventure.
Snow Monkey Resorts is here to support you every step of the way. From thoughtful itinerary design and expert local guidance to smooth transportation and responsive English-language support, we handle the details, so you can travel with confidence, ease, and enjoyment. We are here at anytime ready to help you plan your September 2026 visit to Hokkaido.
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