My family will be visiting me around last week of December and we are planning to go to Hokkaido (Sapporo) on the first week of January.
My question is, will we need boots during the first week of January in Hokkaido?
I’ve been to Hokkaido (Sapporo) before, but it was February and I was wearing sneakers the whole time. During my trip there I lost count on how many times I slipped on the road.
While I currently have boots now, it would be good if I can inform my family beforehand so they can prepare it back home, because most likely we all gonna wear sneakers when we’re not in Hokkaido.
Thanks in advance.
4 comments
Yes.
I have been to Hokkaido without boots in the winter. I wore sneakers in Asahikawa, Obihiro, Sapporo, Otaru, Noboribetsu, Toyako, and Hakodate. The only place I can think of where you really need boots is Tohoku, specifically Yonezawa. They have sprinklers in the middle of the street, spraying water to keep the snow from accumulating.
I went to to Sapporo in early January this year and in my opinion you need decent boots. Although many paths are heated, there are just as many that aren’t – and the streets in between paths are usually straight up ice. I had to walk through quite a bit of snow around where I parked the car, and the streets were very slippery in places.
It probably goes without saying, but just in case, if your family is getting old/not used to snow, please be very careful of slipping and falling. It can be funny when you’re young and don’t hurt yourself, but could be an easy broken hip.
Yes, you need boots/ shoes to grip. There is already ice everywhere.