December in Hokkaido｜The Beginning of an Ice and Snow Fairy Tale

🌨️ December Weather & Dressing Guide Temperature: -5℃ ~ 2℃ (Eastern Hokkaido may drop below -10℃) Outfit: ✅ Warm three-piece set: thermal underwear + sweater/fleece + windproof down jacket ✅ Waterproof and slip-resistant snow boots + wool socks ✅ Accessories: knit hat, gloves, scarf (wear earmuffs for photos if ears are exposed!) ⚠️ Stick a hand warmer on the back of your phone to prevent freezing shutdown! 🎄 December Limited Experiences 1️⃣ Christmas Dreamy Night Scenes Sapporo White Illumination Festival (Odori Park to Sapporo Station): The whole street is dazzlingly lit, Christmas market with mulled wine + German sausages creates a festive atmosphere! Otaru Snow Light Path (lights on in late December): Canal ice candles instantly transform into the movie scene of "Love Letter." 2️⃣ Ice and Snow Activities Start Early! Ski resorts open: Sapporo Teine Ski Resort, Niseko (excellent snow conditions from mid to late December) Asahiyama Zoo Penguin Walk (starts around 12/26): The waddling penguin troop is irresistibly cute! Hot springs with snow views: Noboribetsu Jigokudani, Lake Toya hot springs, soaking while watching snow is so healing♨️ 📸 5-Day Itinerary Recommendation (Sapporo + Otaru + Hakodate) Day 1-2 Sapporo ▫️ Odori Park Christmas Market → Tanukikoji Shopping Street → Shiroi Koibito Park for handmade cookies ▫️ Sapporo Beer Museum for limited edition dark beer → Susukino for Genghis Khan BBQ Day 3 Otaru (30-minute JR from Sapporo) ▫️ Funamizaka slope check-in, same as in "Love Letter" → Otaru Canal + warehouse district → Mt. Tengu night view (cable car to see the snowy sea) ⚠️ It gets dark after 4 PM, hurry to take photos! Day 4-5 Hakodate (about 3.5 hours by JR) ▫️ Hakodate Morning Market for freshly caught squid → Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse for Christmas gifts → Mt. Hakodate night view🌃 (one of the world’s top three night views!) ▫️ Goryokaku Park to see the star-shaped castle snow scene → Hot springs near the morning market 🍲 Winter Must-Eats Sapporo: Soup curry (Picante), seafood robatayaki (Nijo Market) Otaru: LeTAO double-layer cheesecake, Masazushi main store Hakodate: Salt ramen (Ajisai), squid sashimi (morning market) Everywhere: Hot milk + convenience store fried chicken (late-night travel lifesaver!) ⚠️ Notes Early sunset: It gets dark at 4 PM, try to schedule activities during daylight. Transportation: JR may be delayed due to heavy snow, download the "Transit Guide" app for real-time schedules. Accommodation: Hot spring hotels are in high demand, book at least 1 month in advance! Photography: Snow reflects light, increase camera exposure; bring a power bank for your phone to prevent freezing power loss. ❄️ December in Hokkaido is like a freshly unwrapped snow globe, with few people and newly fallen snow, hiding 100% warmth in the Christmas lights and shadows~ 👉 Next update: "Hokkaido Ski Resort Selection Guide," follow the homepage so you don’t get lost!