Sendai & Matsushima→
Station: SendaiSendai, Matsushima, Zuihoden, Akiu Onsen
High
28.2℃
Low
21.6℃
- Precip.
- 157.8mm
- Sunshine
- 145h
- Sunset
- 18:32
Sendai Tanabata Matsuri on the 6th–8th. Highs around 28°C
Tohoku Weather Guide
Tohoku Weather in August: What to Wear & Expect
August is the hottest month of the year in Tohoku. Sendai's high is 28.2°C, Yamagata's 30.5°C and Aizu's 30.8°C; the further inland, the hotter it gets. Tohoku's summer festivals are packed into early August, one after another: Morioka Sansa Odori, Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri, Akita Kanto Matsuri, Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri and Sendai Tanabata Matsuri. During Obon, transport gets crowded, and typhoons sometimes approach.
- Sendai high
- 28.2℃
- Sendai low
- 21.6℃
- Sendai rainfall
- 157.8mm
- Sendai sunset
- 18:32
Overview
Tohoku in August: Key Points
- ✓Sendai's high is 28.2°C. Yamagata and Aizu top 30°C
- ✓Summer festivals are packed into early August. Book accommodation and transport early
- ✓Hakkoda (Sukayu) is cool, with highs around 22°C
- ✓Typhoons sometimes approach. Transport is crowded during Obon
By Area
August Weather by Area
Temperature, precipitation, snow and sunshine are climate normals (1991-2020). Sunset is for August 15.
Hiraizumi & Ichinoseki→
Station: IchinosekiHiraizumi, Chusonji, Motsuji, Geibikei Gorge
High
29.3℃
Low
20.6℃
- Precip.
- 161.9mm
- Sunshine
- 133h
- Sunset
- 18:33
Highs around 29°C. Visit Chusonji in the morning
Morioka & Koiwai→
Station: MoriokaMorioka, Koiwai Farm, Mt. Iwate, Tsunagi Onsen
High
28.4℃
Low
19.8℃
- Precip.
- 185.4mm
- Sunshine
- 145h
- Sunset
- 18:34
Morioka Sansa Odori on the 1st–4th, with a grand taiko drum parade on the final day
Aomori & Hakkoda→
Station: AomoriAomori, Hakkoda, Sukayu Onsen, Sannai-Maruyama Site
High
27.8℃
Low
20.0℃
- Precip.
- 142mm
- Sunshine
- 178h
- Sunset
- 18:37
Aomori Nebuta Matsuri on the 2nd–7th. Hakkoda is cool, with highs around 22°C
Hirosaki→
Station: HirosakiHirosaki, Hirosaki Castle, Mt. Iwaki, Hirosaki Park
High
28.8℃
Low
19.3℃
- Precip.
- 140.7mm
- Sunshine
- 185h
- Sunset
- 18:38
Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri on the 1st–7th, with fan-shaped neputa floats parading through the castle town
Lake Towada & Oirase→
Station: YasumiyaOirase Stream, Lake Towada, Yasumiya, Yakeyama
High
25.1℃
Low
17.6℃
- Precip.
- 220.2mm
- Sunshine
- 146h
- Sunset
- 18:36
Highs around 25°C, mornings around 18°C. The shade of Oirase's trees keeps it cool
Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen→
Station: KakunodateKakunodate, Samurai District, Lake Tazawa, Nyuto Onsen
High
29.7℃
Low
19.8℃
- Precip.
- 254.9mm
- Sunshine
- 183h
- Sunset
- 18:36
Highs around 30°C. Combine with the Akita Kanto Matsuri on the 3rd–6th
Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera→
Station: YamagataYamagata, Zao, Yamadera, Zao Onsen
High
30.5℃
Low
20.9℃
- Precip.
- 153mm
- Sunshine
- 172h
- Sunset
- 18:34
Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri on the 5th–7th. Highs of 30.5°C
Ginzan Onsen & Obanazawa→
Station: ObanazawaGinzan Onsen, Obanazawa, Oishida
High
28.4℃
Low
19.9℃
- Precip.
- 148.9mm
- Sunshine
- 189h
- Sunset
- 18:34
Highs around 28°C. Strolling the hot spring town in the cool of the evening is lovely
Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-juku→
Station: WakamatsuAizu-Wakamatsu, Tsuruga Castle, Ouchi-juku, Higashiyama Onsen
High
30.8℃
Low
20.8℃
- Precip.
- 139.1mm
- Sunshine
- 195h
- Sunset
- 18:35
Highs around 31°C, among the hottest in Tohoku. Opt for indoor sights during the day
What to Wear
What to Wear in Tohoku in August
Tops
Short sleeves in breathable fabrics that dry sweat quickly
Outerwear
A thin layer for air conditioning and for Hakkoda and Lake Towada
Bottoms
Thin pants, a skirt or shorts
Shoes
Comfortable sneakers or sandals; you may be standing for a long time watching festivals
Accessories
Hat, sunscreen, a drink, a handheld fan and a folding umbrella
When watching festivals at night, some days stay hot and humid even after sunset. You'll sweat, so bringing a change of clothes will keep you comfortable. Hakkoda is around 15°C in the morning, so bring long sleeves.
Good to Know
Good to Know
Book early for summer festival season
In early August, summer festivals across Tohoku overlap, and accommodation and shinkansen get extremely crowded. Book as soon as you know the festival dates.
Beware the heat inland
In basins such as Yamagata and Aizu, highs top 30°C and can even exceed 35°C. Drink water and take in salt frequently.
Check typhoon information
August is a month when typhoons often approach the Tohoku region. Trains and flights may be suspended, so check the weather forecast during your trip.
Head to cool highlands and lakes
Sukayu in Hakkoda has highs around 22°C, and Lake Towada around 25°C. To escape the heat, we recommend including a stay in the highlands or by a lake.
Events
August Events & Highlights
Giant illuminated figure floats called nebuta parade through the city, along with haneto dancers chanting Rassera. The finale on the 7th features floats on the sea and a fireworks display.
Read the guide：Aomori Nebuta Festival →Tours & tickets for this eventPR
- PRKlookAomori Private Tour (with Local Guide)A 5-hour private tour with a local guide to Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse, Hakkoda and moreView on Klook
- PRKlookTakayama Inari Shrine & Tachineputa Museum Day TourDeparts from Aomori Station and Shin-Aomori Station. See the giant Tachineputa floats at the Tachineputa Museum in GoshogawaraView on Klook
About 280 kanto poles hung with about 10,000 lanterns sway against the night sky. The highlight is the skill of performers balancing the poles on their palms, foreheads, shoulders and hips.
Read the guide：Akita Kanto Festival →Tours & tickets for this eventPR
- PRKlookAkita Maiko Performance (with Bento and 1 Drink)Two hours of dance and local flavors at the Akita Maiko Theater in Senshu Park, within walking distance of Akita StationView on Klook
- PRKlookAkita Bar-Hopping TourA 3-hour tour of local bars, meeting at Akita City’s tourist information centerView on Klook
Holding hanagasa hats decorated with safflowers, dancers parade through central Yamagata City, chanting Yassho, Makasho.
Read the guide：Yamagata Hanagasa Festival →Tours & tickets for this eventPR
- PRKlookYamadera, Tendo Onsen & Ginzan Onsen Day Tour from SendaiVisit Yamadera, famous for its more than 1,000 stone steps, and retro Ginzan Onsen in one dayView on Klook
- PRKlookJR East Pass (Tohoku Area)Unlimited rides on JR East lines including the Shinkansen. Great for hopping between Tohoku’s summer festivalsView on Klook
A Tanabata festival dating back to the time of Date Masamune. From the area in front of Sendai Station to the Ichibancho arcades, the streets are filled with lavish bamboo decorations.
Read the guide：Sendai Tanabata Festival →Tours & tickets for this eventPR
- PRKlookVASARA Kimono & Yukata Rental (Sendai)Rent a yukata, with dressing and hair styling included, for a Tanabata stroll around townView on Klook
- PRKlookMatsushima Bay Sightseeing Cruise (One of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views)A sightseeing boat touring Nio-jima and other islands in about 50 minutesView on Klook
A dance parade to the sound of taiko drums and flutes. On the final day there's a grand parade of drums only, and a big circle dance that spectators can join.
Read the guide：Morioka Sansa Odori →Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri
HirosakiAugust 1–7About 80 large and small neputa floats, both fan-shaped and figure-shaped, parade through the castle town.
Dates change every year. Please check the official websites before you go.
FAQ
FAQ
Q. What's the temperature in Sendai in August?＋
On average, the high is 28.2°C and the low is 21.6°C. Inland areas such as Yamagata (30.5°C) and Aizu (30.8°C) get hotter.
Q. When are Tohoku's summer festivals?＋
Morioka Sansa Odori is August 1–4, Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri August 1–7, Aomori Nebuta Matsuri August 2–7, Akita Kanto Matsuri August 3–6, Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri August 5–7 and Sendai Tanabata Matsuri August 6–8.
Q. Where is it cool in Tohoku in August?＋
Sukayu in Hakkoda has highs around 22°C and mornings around 15°C. Lake Towada also has highs around 25°C, so both are cooler than the cities.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Tohoku TripPR
Other Months
Tohoku Weather in Other Months
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (climate normals 1991-2020). Compiled by tripuuu.log. Temperatures are from a representative station in each area; actual weather varies from year to year.