Winters in Hokkaido are extremely cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping to -30°C, and Asahikawa holding a record low of -41°C! Even in Sapporo, where most travelers spend their time, temperatures from December onwards can stay below freezing throughout the day. Winter in this snowy region is no joke!

When visiting Hokkaido in winter, figuring out what to wear can be tricky. You’ve likely done your research and read plenty of online tips. In this post, Trippino HOKKAIDO’s editors, foreigners living in Hokkaido, will share their winter wardrobe tips. We hope these recommendations can be helpful for those planning a trip to Hokkaido this winter. Whether you’re a guy or a girl, we’ve got you covered—so read on!

Winter Outfits for Women

Let’s start with a woman’s winter outfit in Sapporo. She mostly shops online for her clothing, and here are her two go-to styles for staying comfortable during Hokkaido’s long winter:

1. Turtleneck thermal top + sweater, inner leggings + pants or skirt + thick tights + socks
2. Turtleneck thermal top + dress + thick tights + socks

Over these, she always wears a thick, warm-down coat. Her top priority is keeping her neck warm, so she swears by cute and versatile fluffy neck warmers. As for gloves, she prefers lightweight styles lined with fleece. When it comes to shoes, anything waterproof and non-slip will do, and she matches them depending on her outfit.

IIn Japan, winter fashion tends to lean towards darker colors like black and gray, so she opts for lighter tones like white or light gray to avoid blending in. To keep things fun, add pops of color or patterns in small items like socks, scarves, or gloves. That way, you won’t disappear into the monochrome winter landscape when taking photos.

Her favorite brands aren’t too pricey. For example, UNIQLO often collaborates with famous designers, and their color palette has become more vibrant lately. AMBIDEX also offers various stylish brands for women of different ages, and she never misses a sale! However, she does invest in a high-quality down coat, such as one from LAVANHAM, because enduring Hokkaido’s harsh winter requires splurging on some key items. For women who get cold easily, she highly recommends buying stick-on body warmers from convenience stores and pharmacies. You can place them inside your boots or on the inside of your coat near your neck to keep your whole body warm by improving circulation.

Winter Outfits for Men

Now, let’s move on to a man’s winter wardrobe in Sapporo. He mainly shops at malls near Sapporo Station and prefers simple outfits. His winter philosophy focuses on having a high-performance outer layer while keeping it simple and affordable underneath. As mentioned earlier, Japanese men also tend to wear darker colors in winter. Even items with patterns are toned down, which is part of the appeal for men shopping in Japan.

His outfit consists of three layers on top: a UNIQLO thermal top, a MUJI sweater, and a hooded, high-performance down jacket (his red jacket in the photo is a collaboration between Freak’s Store and Japanese outdoor brand ISUKA). When spending extended time outdoors in sub-zero temperatures, he pulls the hood over his head and zips the jacket up to cover half of his face. Scarves are only necessary when wearing a coat, but for day-to-day wear, the down jacket alone is enough. His gloves are waterproof and allow him to use his smartphone, which is perfect for snapping photos while playing in the snow!

As for the lower half, he keeps it simple with thick pants, long socks, and mid-calf snow boots. For days with lots of outdoor activities, he adds inner leggings. Since snow on pedestrian paths is usually cleared in Hokkaido, easy-to-slip-on mid-calf snow boots are the best option. Many locals wear hiking brands like SOREL, Columbia, and The North Face. For men who get cold easily, stick-on body warmers can be bought from convenience stores or pharmacies and placed inside boots or coats for maximum warmth.

Bonus: A Japanese Boss’s Winter Outfits

Lastly, let’s take a look at the winter wardrobe of a Japanese boss. While the basic principles are similar, the brands and quality are at a different level. His down jacket is from WOOLRICH, an American outdoor brand with a long history. It’s lightweight yet filled with thick down, making it super warm. His SOREL snow boots are made of pricier leather, with thick soles, waterproofing, and a fluffy interior—perfect for surviving Hokkaido’s winter.

His gloves are touchscreen-friendly ones from Foxfire, a fishing gear brand. These gloves are thin and flexible but highly functional, with moisture-wicking and heat-generating properties. His neck warmer is from the outdoor brand Patagonia. Compared to scarves, neck warmers are easier to wear and don’t shift around as much, making them a great choice if you find scarves inconvenient. His knit hat is from BEAMS, and it’s both durable and available in various colors.

If you’ve developed your winter outfits, don’t forget to share them with us on Trippino HOKKAIDO!

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