Southern Japan or Hokkaido for a long break

Choose Hokkaido if you want a cooler summer, and Kyushu if you want a milder winter. The Japan Meteorological Agency shows August averaging 22.3 °C in Sapporo, against 28.4 °C in Fukuoka and 28.8 °C in Kagoshima ¹. Pick the region that matches your travel month.

How do the temperatures compare by month?

The table shows the extremes, using 1991 to 2020 averages ¹.

Place	January	August
Sapporo	-3.2 °C.	22.3 °C.
Fukuoka	6.9 °C.	28.4 °C.
Kagoshima	8.7 °C.	28.8 °C.

August in Fukuoka and Kagoshima is close to a Malaysian afternoon in feel, though humidity differs. Hokkaido summers are milder and less humid than the rest of Japan ².

When does Hokkaido fit better?

Hokkaido fits better for a cool summer escape, big landscapes and seafood. It also suits winter if you want snow and onsen and can handle cold. Read Hokkaido winter versus summer and the Hokkaido guide.

Travel in Hokkaido covers longer distances, so plan fewer bases. See Hokkaido first trip or Honshu.

When does southern Japan fit better?

Kyushu fits better for a mild winter, food stalls and volcanic scenery. Kagoshima is known for the view of Sakurajima rising from Kinko Bay, and the Kyushu Shinkansen connects Hakata and Kagoshima ³.

Fukuoka is called the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen, best enjoyed at a yatai food stall, and also offers seafood, yakitori and chicken hot pot ⁴. See Kyushu first trip with a Fukuoka base and Beppu and Kagoshima volcanic Kyushu.

How do you decide, in three questions?

1. Which month will you travel? Summer favours Hokkaido, winter favours Kyushu.
2. How do you feel about cold? If you dislike it, choose Kyushu in winter.
3. What do you want to do? Seafood and big landscapes point to Hokkaido, food stalls and volcanoes to Kyushu.

What about the cool-escape idea?

The search for a cool summer is a good reason to choose Hokkaido. Read summer regional alternatives for other options in the heat. The Kagoshima page and Fukuoka page cover the south.