Otaru, Japan: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2018]
Traveling to Otaru, Japan? If you're planning to go to Otaru, here is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack:
When to go to Otaru, Japan
Based on the climate and weather in Otaru, the best time to go is July. See below for details.
What to wear/what to pack for Otaru, Japan by month
January
If you are traveling to Otaru in January, you will notice that it is very cold and extremely snowy. Expect it to snow almost every day. Daytime temperatures are in the low 30s F (single digits below 0 C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Heavy socks
- Warm pants or jeans
- Sweaters
- Waterproof coat
- Waterproof boots
- Cold weather footwear
- Heavy jacket
- Umbrella
- Gloves or mittens
February
February in Otaru is very cold and extremely snowy. Temperatures average in the low 30s F (single digits C) during the day. It snows most days.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Warm pants or jeans
- Waterproof boots
- Gloves or mittens
- Sweaters
- Heavy jacket
- Heavy socks
- Waterproof coat
- Cold weather footwear
- Umbrella
March
March in Otaru can be very chilly and extremely snowy. The rain/snow can amount to several inches/centimeters.
During this time, temperatures average in the high 30s F (single digits C), although night temperatures can dip into the single digits F (10+ below zero C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Umbrella
- Waterproof coat
- Sweaters
- Warm pants or jeans
- Cold weather footwear
- Heavy socks
- Waterproof boots
- Heavy jacket
- Gloves or mittens
April
In April, Otaru is cold and very rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the low 50s F (single digits C) range. At night, lows are in the 30s F (single digits C).
This is also a rainy time for Otaru, with more than half of the days of the month having rain. In April, humidity reaches as high as 70%. Additionally, it is windy.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Jacket or coat
- Waterproof luggage
- Rain coat
- Waterproof footwear
- Fleeces
- Warm pants or jeans
- Standard footwear
- Umbrella
- Light gloves or mittens
- Socks
May
May here is relatively cool and extremely rainy. Temperatures average in the low 60s F (mid 10s C) during the day. It rains most days.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Long sleeve shirts or blouses
- Socks
- Dresses
- Waterproof luggage
- Pants or jeans
- Light jacket or fleece
- Standard footwear
- Long skirts
- Umbrella
- Rain coat
- Waterproof footwear
June
If you go to Otaru in June, you will notice that it is balmy and very rainy. Expect it to rain most days. Daytime temperatures are in the 60s F (high 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Long sleeve shirts or blouses
- Umbrella
- Rain coat
- Light jacket or fleece
- Waterproof luggage
- Pants or jeans
- Long skirts
- Waterproof footwear
- Standard footwear
- Socks
- Dresses
July
If you vacation in Otaru during July, you are likely to find that it is a perfect temperature and very rainy. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 70s F (low 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 60s F (mid 10s C).
Humidity is generally between 70 and 80% during the day. In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain about two thirds of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Skirts
- Waterproof luggage
- Rain coat
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Sunscreen lotion
- Shorts or short pants
- Sandals
- Waterproof footwear
- Dresses
- Light footwear
- Umbrella
August
Traveling to Otaru in August, you will notice that it is warm and very rainy. Expect it to rain most days. Daytime temperatures are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Dresses
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Rain coat
- Shorts or short pants
- Skirts
- Sandals
- Waterproof footwear
- Umbrella
- Light footwear
- Waterproof luggage
- Sunscreen lotion
September
If you go to Otaru in September, you will notice that it is balmy and extremely rainy. Expect it to rain most days. Daytime temperatures are in the low 60s F (low 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Light jacket or fleece
- Waterproof luggage
- Umbrella
- Waterproof footwear
- Long skirts
- Rain coat
- Socks
- Standard footwear
- Pants or jeans
- Dresses
- Long sleeve shirts or blouses
October
In October, Otaru is crisp and extremely rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the high 50s F (mid 10s C) and 5-10 days this month jump into the 60s F (high 10s C) range. At night, lows are in the 40s F (single digits C).
This is also a rainy time for Otaru, with most of the days of the month having rain. In October, humidity reaches as high as 70%.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Standard footwear
- Long sleeve shirts or blouses
- Waterproof luggage
- Rain coat
- Dresses
- Light jacket or fleece
- Pants or jeans
- Socks
- Waterproof footwear
- Umbrella
- Long skirts
November
November in Otaru is cold, somewhat snowy and very rainy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the 30s F (single digits C). It tends to rain about half of the time.
It also snows about half of the time. But the colder weather doesn't bring low humidity, which is in the 60% to 70% range on average.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Socks
- Waterproof coat
- Waterproof boots
- Umbrella
- Light gloves or mittens
- Fleeces
- Standard footwear
- Jacket or coat
- Warm pants or jeans
December
In December, Otaru is very cold and extremely snowy. Temperatures routinely are in the 30s F (single digits C) range. At night, lows are in the 20s F (single digits below 0 C).
This is also a rainy time for Otaru, with a few of the days of the month having rain. In December, humidity reaches as high as 70%.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sweaters
- Waterproof boots
- Waterproof coat
- Cold weather footwear
- Umbrella
- Warm pants or jeans
- Gloves or mittens
- Heavy jacket
- Heavy socks
Year-round what to wear/what to pack for Otaru, Japan
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Otaru, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
- A plug adadpter that supports outlet types A and B
- A SIM card that works in Otaru
- Appropriate museum wear
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