AI-generatedOtaru at a glance
- Best time
- Aug
- Warmest month
- Aug · 27°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 21.9°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,730 h
- Rain a year
- 1,232 mm
- Climate
- Continental
- Time zone
- UTC+9
- Elevation
- 30 m
Climate in Otaru
Otaru has mild to warm summers and cold winters with occasional snow. August is the warmest month with average highs of 27 °C, while January is the coolest at 1 °C. With around 1,730 hours of sunshine a year, Otaru is moderately sunny; May is the sunniest month with 6.5 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Otaru
The best time to visit Otaru is in August. The sea reaches 21.9 °C in August, but frequent rain gets in the way of a classic beach holiday. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to July. Rain is frequent from September to March; the wettest month is August with 169 mm.
Otaru through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Otaru in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 5–17 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 5.7 h of sun a day
- 36 rainy days in all
Otaru in summer
Jun – Aug
Fair
- 22–27 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 5.7 h of sun a day
- 37 rainy days in all
Otaru in autumn
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 9–23 °C by day
- Sea 17 °C
- 4.4 h of sun a day
- 45 rainy days in all
Otaru in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 1–3 °C by day
- Sea 7 °C
- 3.1 h of sun a day
- 60 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
May – Jul
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Sep – Mar
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Snow
Nov – Mar
Snow on 2 or more days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Otaru for you.
Your best months: August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: August
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 12°
- Midday, 13:00: about 16°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 15°
- Evening, 20:00: about 12°
- Night, 23:00: about 11°
05:4816:55
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 05:31–06:27 · evening 16:16–17:13
- Blue hour
- Morning 05:19–05:31 · evening 17:13–17:24
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Otaru compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 19° at the start of the month to 12° at the end. The sea cools from 19° to 15°. The days get 1.4 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 19° | 12° |
| Night-time low | 12° | 6° |
| Sea | 19° | 15° |
| Daylight | 11.8 h | 10.4 h |
What is the weather like in Otaru in October?
In October, Otaru is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 17.3 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 4.7 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 110 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Otaru.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 7 min05:48 – 16:55
- UV index
- 3 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 23 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 58 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Snow days
- 0 days1 cm or more of fresh snowAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+9offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %0 %
- Seaweight 25 %4 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %28 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %27 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in Otaru
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
August has the better holiday weather in Otaru: score 66 against 12. In August, days are 11 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 5 °C warmer in August. The sun shines an hour longer a day in August.
| Month | October | August |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 12 | 66better |
| Daytime high | 16° | 27° |
| Night-time low | 9° | 20° |
| Sea | 17.3° | 21.9° |
| Sunshine | 4.7 h | 5.4 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 14 | 14 |
| Rainfall | 110 mmbetter | 169 mm |
| Muggy days | 0better | 19 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Otaru month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
0January1° · Sea 7° · 2.9 h
In January, Otaru is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 1 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−3 °C). The sea averages 7.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2.9 hours a day. Precipitation falls on about 20 days, totalling 88 mm; on about 20 of them it snows. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Otaru.
Otaru in January3February1° · Sea 6° · 3.7 h
In February, Otaru is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 1 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−3 °C). The sea averages 5.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.7 hours a day. Precipitation falls on about 17 days, totalling 71 mm; on about 16 of them it snows. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Otaru.
Otaru in February12March5° · Sea 6° · 4.7 h
In March, Otaru is cold: daytime highs average 5 °C, and nights cool down to about 0 °C. The sea averages 5.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.7 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 67 mm in total. Snow falls on about 9 days. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Otaru.
Otaru in March20April10° · Sea 8° · 5.9 h
In April, Otaru is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. The sea averages 7.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 65 mm in total. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Otaru.
Otaru in April21May17° · Sea 11° · 6.5 h
In May, Otaru is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 10.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 84 mm in total. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Otaru.
Otaru in May37June22° · Sea 15° · 6.1 h
In June, Otaru is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 14.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 83 mm in total. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Otaru.
Otaru in June59July26° · Sea 19° · 5.5 h
In July, Otaru is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 19.0 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 128 mm in total. All in all, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Otaru.
Otaru in July66August27° · Sea 22° · 5.4 h
In August, Otaru is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sea averages 21.9 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 169 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Otaru.
Otaru in August54September23° · Sea 21° · 5.3 h
In September, Otaru is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 21.1 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 132 mm in total. All in all, September is a so-so month for a holiday in Otaru.
Otaru in September12October16° · Sea 17° · 4.7 h
In October, Otaru is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 17.3 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 4.7 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 110 mm. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Otaru.
Otaru in October1November9° · Sea 13° · 3.3 h
In November, Otaru is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 12.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 19 days, adding up to 122 mm. Snow falls on about 6 days. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Otaru.
Otaru in November0December3° · Sea 9° · 2.7 h
In December, Otaru is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 3 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−2 °C). The sea averages 9.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 2.7 hours a day. Precipitation falls on about 22 days, totalling 114 mm; on about 19 of them it snows. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Otaru.
Otaru in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Otaru
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Frost below 0°
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
- Warm 20–24°
- muggy month (15+ muggy days)
CoolOctober: nights around 9°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in January (−3°), the warmest in August (20°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule in August; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in July and in September. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from November to April, so the room should be heated. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 37 days a year, mostly in August.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 0 | 1° | −3° | 7.0° | 2.9 h | 20 | 88 |
| FebruaryFeb | 3 | 1° | −3° | 5.7° | 3.7 h | 17 | 71 |
| MarchMar | 12 | 5° | 0° | 5.7° | 4.7 h | 13 | 67 |
| AprilApr | 20 | 10° | 4° | 7.5° | 5.9 h | 11 | 65 |
| MayMay | 21 | 17° | 9° | 10.5° | 6.5 h | 11 | 84 |
| JuneJun | 37 | 22° | 13° | 14.7° | 6.1 h | 11 | 83 |
| JulyJul | 59 | 26° | 18° | 19.0° | 5.5 h | 12 | 128 |
| AugustAug | 66 | 27° | 20° | 21.9° | 5.4 h | 14 | 169 |
| SeptemberSep | 54 | 23° | 16° | 21.1° | 5.3 h | 13 | 132 |
| OctoberOct | 12 | 16° | 9° | 17.3° | 4.7 h | 14 | 110 |
| NovemberNov | 1 | 9° | 3° | 12.7° | 3.3 h | 19 | 122 |
| DecemberDec | 0 | 3° | −2° | 9.3° | 2.7 h | 22 | 114 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
43.19° N, 141.00° E · 30 m · Asia/Tokyo
Sea temperature in Otaru
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 16.1 – 18.7 °C
Swimming season: Aug – Sep
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Otaru ranges from 5.7 °C in February to 21.9 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from August to September.
From October to March the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in August, eight out of ten years were between 20.6 and 22.6 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 7.0° | 5.6° | 8.3° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 5.7° | 4.4° | 7.0° | cold |
| MarchMar | 5.7° | 4.4° | 6.9° | cold |
| AprilApr | 7.5° | 6.5° | 8.2° | cold |
| MayMay | 10.5° | 9.6° | 11.5° | cold |
| JuneJun | 14.7° | 13.6° | 15.6° | cold |
| JulyJul | 19.0° | 17.7° | 20.3° | fresh |
| AugustAug | 21.9° | 20.6° | 22.6° | refreshing |
| SeptemberSep | 21.1° | 20.0° | 22.3° | refreshing |
| OctoberOct | 17.3° | 16.1° | 18.7° | fresh |
| NovemberNov | 12.7° | 11.5° | 13.7° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 9.3° | 8.0° | 10.6° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Otaru
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 4.7 of 11.1 hours of daylight in Otaru, 42 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain in Otaru: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Otaru has about 14 rainy days with 110 mm of rain in total.
UV index in Otaru
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 3 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 9).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 40 min
- Fair skin
- about 50 min
- Light brown skin
- about 70 min
- Olive skin
- about 90 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind and clouds in Otaru
How breezy and how cloudy Otaru is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Otaru typically peaks at 23 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Oct – May.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 58 % of the sky over Otaru: variable cloud, with about 4.7 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Otaru
How often the day gets hot in Otaru (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Otaru has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 16 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Snow in Otaru
When Otaru is likely to be white: the chance of seeing snow during a week's stay, the days with fresh snow and how much falls. Tap a month to select it.
Snow calendar
- hardly any
- possible
- likely
- very likely
In October, it hardly ever snows in Otaru.
Snow days bring at least 1 cm of fresh snow. Fresh snow comes from ERA5 snowfall (1996–2025) at the height of the place, not on the slopes above it; the snow chance also weighs whether the snow settles. An estimate from climate averages, not a snow report.
Planning a trip to Otaru
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Otaru in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Otaru has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 64) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 0).
- 18
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 8 °C by day
- Sea 7 °C
- 5.5 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow
- 24
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 18 °C by day
- Sea 11 °C
- 6.4 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 64
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
GoodBest holidays
- 26 °C by day
- Sea 21 °C
- 5.4 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
- 12
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 16 °C by day
- Sea 17 °C
- 4.7 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 0
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 2 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 2.8 h of sun a day
- 21 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 11 h 10 min
- Distance
- 8,850 km
- Time zone
- UTC+9
- Jet lag
- About 8 days (8 h east)
Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Compare & alternatives
Otaru compared
Put Otaru side by side with another destination.
Otaru vs Sapporo
In October the holiday weather in Otaru and Sapporo is about equally good (score 12 vs 12). During the day Sapporo is 1 °C warmer than Otaru.
| in October | Otaru | Sapporo |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 12 | 12 |
| Daytime high | 16° | 17° |
| Sea | 17° | no sea nearby |
| Sunshine | 5 h | 5 h |
| Rainy days | 14 | 14 |
| Best time | Aug | May – Sep |
Through the year
Japan in October: the best places
In October, Otaru ranks 29 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Sendai20°70
- 2Fukushima20°70
- 3Hakodate18°19°68
- 4Aomori19°19°68
- 5Morioka18°67
- 6Kanazawa22°22°67
- 7Tomakomai16°17°65
- 8Tsukuba22°65
- 29OtaruThis page16°17°12
Near Otaru
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Otaru
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Otaru's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Otaru
When is the best time to visit Otaru?
The best time to visit Otaru is in August. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Otaru?
The sea temperature in Otaru ranges from 5.7 °C in February to 21.9 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from August to September.
Can you swim in Otaru in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 17.3 °C. Comfortable swimming is possible from August to September.
What is the warmest month in Otaru?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 27 °C and nights around 20 °C. January is the coolest month at 1 °C.
When does it rain most in Otaru?
Rain is frequent from September to March; the wettest month is August with 169 mm. The driest month is April with 65 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Otaru get?
Otaru gets around 1,730 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 6.5 hours a day; in December there are 2.7 hours a day.
What time zone is Otaru in?
Otaru is on UTC+9 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Otaru?
A nonstop flight from London to Otaru takes about 11 h 10 min, for a straight-line distance of about 8,850 km.
Which school holidays are best for Otaru?
Otaru has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 64) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 0). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 18, May half-term 24, summer holidays 64, October half-term 12, Christmas holidays 0.