Travel Advisory Issued for Hokkaido, Japan as Disaster-Level Heatwave Nears 40 Degrees

Heatstroke Fatalities Reported
Lack of Cooling Facilities
Travelers Urged to Exercise Caution

A warning has been issued urging travelers to refrain from visiting or to exercise caution when traveling to Hokkaido, Japan, a region that is highly popular as a summer vacation destination. This is because a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, has been forecasted for this region, which is located at the northernmost tip of Japan and typically has average summer temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius. Concerns have been raised that the risk of heatstroke is particularly high due to the region's lack of air conditioning and other cooling infrastructure.

View of the domestic departure gate at Gimpo Airport. (This photo is not directly related to the article)

On July 24, Japanese weather media outlet Weather Map reported that "dangerous heat will continue in the northernmost region of Hokkaido, and especially in the Obihiro area, temperatures are expected to reach a record-breaking 40 degrees." Weather Map also predicted that temperatures would reach 38 degrees in Kitami, 36 degrees in Asahikawa, and 35 degrees in Sapporo and Monbetsu.

Hokkaido has been regarded as a popular summer travel destination for both Japanese nationals and Koreans because its high latitude allows for relatively cool summers. In fact, according to Tripbtoz's overseas travel reservation data analysis for July to September this year, Sapporo, the central city of Hokkaido, ranked second among the most popular summer destinations for Koreans.

However, this summer, Hokkaido has been hit by a disaster-level heatwave with temperatures approaching 40 degrees. There are even predictions that some areas will break their all-time highest temperature records.

One online user who came across the news expressed concern, saying, "This heat itself is simply a disaster." Another user, who identified themselves as a Hokkaido resident, said, "It's a lie that Hokkaido is comfortable in the summer because of low humidity. This year, the heat is especially severe, and the humidity in my room is always close to 80%. Because of insulation, it's cooler outside than inside the house, and at night, the accumulated heat makes it feel like hell," expressing their distress.

What is even more concerning is the lack of cooling infrastructure in Hokkaido. Hokkaido, where average summer temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius and humidity is not usually high, reportedly has an air conditioner penetration rate of only 59%. This means that 40% of households still have to endure the heatwave without air conditioning. The previous day, in an eastern region of Hokkaido, an elderly person who had been living without air conditioning died of heatstroke inside their home.

Given this situation, warnings are being issued that not only local residents but also tourists need to exercise caution. One online user commented, "Because many houses in Hokkaido are designed to trap heat indoors as a measure against winter snow and cold, indoor temperatures easily exceed 30 degrees. There are also many homes without air conditioning," recommending that people refrain from visiting Hokkaido at this time.

Meanwhile, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, on the afternoon of July 24, Kitami City in Hokkaido recorded a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius, breaking the highest temperature ever observed since records began. This heatwave that has swept Hokkaido is reported to be 12 to 13 degrees higher than the average for this time of year.