It could be an interesting snow season in Sapporo, Japan, over the end of 2026 and early 2027.

The El Nino climate pattern may produce slightly warmer temperatures and heavier early-season snow, as cold Siberian winds blow through the transpiration of the Japan Sea.

El Nino is a natural pattern with warmer sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

+ Early season, from November to mid-December. It is expected that good first snowfalls will give snow cover.

+ Peak powder is expected in January and February.

Although the transition from La Nina to El Nino may bring slightly lower base-level snowfall overall, Hokkaido (where Sapporo is) should remain the most snow-reliable region in Japan.

NEW HOTELS

Sapporo has new international and Tokyo-born boutique hotels coming over the next 12 months.

The Hyatt Centric Sapporo and Trunk(Hotel) Sapporo are due to open in 2027.

+ Trunk(Hotel) Sapporo. This is a “cool-kid” Tokyo boutique hotel brand. Trunk(Hotel) Sapporo opens in the northern hemisphere spring of 2027 in the central Odori district. It will be a 110-room luxury boutique hotel with an open atrium cafe and bar lounge and restaurants showcasing Hokkaido ingredients. The food offering will be led by internationally acclaimed Sushi Saito, often regarded as Japan’s top sushi restaurant.

Trunk’s flagship property is in Shibuya, Tokyo, and its Yoyogi Park site has minimalist design and contemporary atmosphere.

+ The 216-room Hyatt Centric Sapporo is due to open in December 2026. Centric is Hyatt’s “lifestyle-focused brand”. The accommodation includes nine suites and is in central Sapporo, close to the city’s major attractions. The interiors will incorporating local motifs and contemporary design.

+ InterContinental Sapporo opened in 2025 — Sapporo’s first international luxury hotel. It is close to Nakajima Park.

+ In July 2026, Sapporo Susukino opened. The 223-room property is in Susukino, Sapporo’s entertainment and dining district, known for late-night food, bars and nightlife.

+ Its arrival followed the opening of Holiday Inn and Suites Sapporo Odori Park in late 2025. The 195-room hotel has flexible suite-style accommodation and is within walking distance of both Odori Park and Susukino.

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