Sapporo issues a flu warning: 31.93, above the warning level of 30
This week's news · Checked 2026-11-10
Update 13 Nov — What happened. The City of Sapporo issued an influenza warning on 12 Nov 2026. For the week of 2–8 Nov, Sapporo logged 31.93 patients per reporting clinic, above the warning level of 30. The week before: 27.07 (City of Sapporo, press release, 12 Nov 2026).
All of Hokkaido was at 28.32 (4,673 patients), up from 21.90 a week earlier. By health-centre area: Asahikawa 59.29, Hakodate 50.40, Furano 36.00, Chitose 22.00, Otaru 16.00, Kutchan (the Niseko and Rusutsu area) 10.00 (Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, data updated 12 Nov 2026). Small areas have few reporting clinics, so their figures swing easily. Japan's national figure for the same week was still being compiled (City of Sapporo, 12 Nov).
Sapporo also says its emergency hospitals are under heavy strain because of the flu. It asks people with mild symptoms to see a clinic in normal hours, not an emergency hospital at night or on public holidays.
What it means for you. This is not medical advice.
- Sapporo or Hokkaido in December with kids? Sapporo is now above its warning level. The City of Sapporo says a flu jab takes about 2 weeks to build immunity. If you want one, talk to your doctor in Malaysia now, not in your last week before the flight.
- If your child has a mild fever during the day in Japan, go to a clinic in normal hours, since emergency hospitals are stretched. The Japan Visitor Hotline, 050-3816-2787 (24 hours, English) helps you find a clinic that can consult in a foreign language. Clinics generally take cash only, so keep yen for one visit (Japan Tourism Agency and JNTO, checked 7 Nov 2026). Full steps: sick or injured in Japan.
- In crowds: Sapporo advises avoiding crowded places where you can, washing hands after going out, and wearing a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
- Travel insurance: the official guide warns that without it you may be charged the full amount (checked 7 Nov 2026).
- If a child falls ill before you leave, a room you can cancel helps. Family rooms for 7–11 Dec: Sapporo hotels on Trip.com, 2 adults + 2 kids, priced in RM (filter for free cancellation, and read each room's terms).
- The numbers move every week. Japan-wide figures for 2–8 Nov (including Tokyo and Osaka) are due on 13 Nov. Check them before you decide anything.
The week before: 26 Oct–1 Nov (MHLW, 6 Nov). Reporting clinics across Japan logged 38,205 patients, an average of 10.26 patients per clinic for the week. Same week last year: 14.90. The figure is an average over the clinics chosen to report, not a count of every patient.
Hokkaido was at 21.90 (3,591 patients), the second highest after Ehime (27.89). Hokkaido's figure rose over five weeks: 9.21 → 16.21 → 12.32 → 14.60 → 21.90 (28 Sept to 1 Nov). Other places on Malaysian family routes were lower that week: Tokyo 6.91, Osaka 5.49, Kyoto 8.21, Fukuoka 10.07, Aichi 10.63.
Before you fly: Map of 231 halal places & prayer rooms (US$6.99) — December Edition, 15 Nov.
Affiliate links may be used; your price doesn't change. Sources: City of Sapporo, influenza warning press release (Japanese), 12 Nov 2026; Hokkaido Institute of Public Health, influenza data by area (Japanese), week 45 of 2026, updated 12 Nov 2026; Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, influenza status, week 44 of 2026 (Japanese), 6 Nov 2026; Japan Tourism Agency, "Guide for when you are feeling ill" (English) and JNTO, Japan Visitor Hotline, checked 7 Nov 2026. Checked 13 Nov 2026.