Sendai & Matsushima→
Station: SendaiSendai, Matsushima, Zuihoden, Akiu Onsen
High
6.5℃
Low
−1.1℃
- Precip.
- 33.9mm
- Max snow depth
- 10cm
- Sunset
- 17:13
Highs of 6.5°C, mornings around -1°C. Lots of sunny, dry days
Tohoku Weather Guide
Tohoku Weather in February: What to Wear & Expect
February in Tohoku continues the midwinter cold of January. Sendai's high is 6.5°C and mornings drop to around -1°C. This is the snowiest time of year: the average maximum snow depth reaches 149 cm in Obanazawa (Ginzan Onsen) and 100 cm in Kakunodate. Snow-themed events are held across the region, including the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival, Yokote's kamakura snow huts and the Ouchi-juku Snow Festival, and it's the season when Zao's snow monsters grow to their largest.
- Sendai high
- 6.5℃
- Sendai low
- −1.1℃
- Sendai snow depth
- 10cm
- Sendai sunset
- 17:13
Overview
Tohoku in February: Key Points
- ✓Sendai's high is 6.5°C, with mornings around -1°C. Dress for midwinter
- ✓The snowiest time of year. Obanazawa's average is 149 cm
- ✓Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival, Yokote's kamakura and the Ouchi-juku Snow Festival
- ✓Zao's snow monsters grow to their largest
By Area
February Weather by Area
Temperature, precipitation, snow and sunshine are climate normals (1991-2020). Sunset is for February 15.
Hiraizumi & Ichinoseki→
Station: IchinosekiHiraizumi, Chusonji, Motsuji, Geibikei Gorge
High
5.1℃
Low
−3.3℃
- Precip.
- 40.1mm
- Max snow depth
- 16cm
- Sunset
- 17:11
Highs of 5.1°C, mornings around -3°C. Shaded roads ice over easily
Morioka & Koiwai→
Station: MoriokaMorioka, Koiwai Farm, Mt. Iwate, Tsunagi Onsen
High
3.2℃
Low
−4.8℃
- Precip.
- 48mm
- Max snow depth
- 32cm
- Sunset
- 17:10
Highs of 3.2°C, mornings around -5°C. Average maximum snow depth is 32 cm
Aomori & Hakkoda→
Station: AomoriAomori, Hakkoda, Sukayu Onsen, Sannai-Maruyama Site
High
2.7℃
Low
−3.3℃
- Precip.
- 99mm
- Max snow depth
- 97cm
- Sunset
- 17:10
Average maximum snow depth is 97 cm. Sukayu in Hakkoda is buried under an average of 373 cm of snow
Hirosaki→
Station: HirosakiHirosaki, Hirosaki Castle, Mt. Iwaki, Hirosaki Park
High
2.5℃
Low
−4.6℃
- Precip.
- 99.9mm
- Max snow depth
- 87cm
- Sunset
- 17:12
Mornings around -5°C. Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival in early to mid-February
Lake Towada & Oirase→
Station: YasumiyaOirase Stream, Lake Towada, Yasumiya, Yakeyama
High
−0.4℃
Low
−6.6℃
- Precip.
- 68.8mm
- Sunshine
- 68h
- Sunset
- 17:10
Highs of -0.4°C at Yasumiya, mornings around -7°C. Below freezing even in the daytime
Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen→
Station: KakunodateKakunodate, Samurai District, Lake Tazawa, Nyuto Onsen
High
2.7℃
Low
−4.7℃
- Precip.
- 140.5mm
- Max snow depth
- 100cm
- Sunset
- 17:13
Average maximum snow depth is 100 cm. The snowy samurai district and snow-view baths at Nyuto Onsen
Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera→
Station: YamagataYamagata, Zao, Yamadera, Zao Onsen
High
4.4℃
Low
−3.1℃
- Precip.
- 63mm
- Max snow depth
- 47cm
- Sunset
- 17:16
Yamagata's high is 4.4°C. The time when Zao's snow monsters are at their largest
Ginzan Onsen & Obanazawa→
Station: ObanazawaGinzan Onsen, Obanazawa, Oishida
High
2.7℃
Low
−4.3℃
- Precip.
- 98.4mm
- Max snow depth
- 149cm
- Sunset
- 17:14
Obanazawa's average maximum snow depth is 149 cm, the deepest snow of the year
Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-juku→
Station: WakamatsuAizu-Wakamatsu, Tsuruga Castle, Ouchi-juku, Higashiyama Onsen
High
4.0℃
Low
−3.5℃
- Precip.
- 69.2mm
- Max snow depth
- 49cm
- Sunset
- 17:18
Highs of 4.0°C, mornings at -3.5°C. The season for the Ouchi-juku Snow Festival
What to Wear
What to Wear in Tohoku in February
Base layer
Highly insulating thermal underwear; thick ones for snow festivals at night
Tops
Sweater or fleece
Outerwear
A long, warm winter coat, such as a hooded down jacket
Bottoms
Fleece-lined pants or thick tights; water-repellent ones on snowy days
Shoes
Waterproof boots with non-slip soles
Accessories
Gloves, a knit hat, a scarf and kairo (disposable heat packs)
The highlight of the snow festivals is the evening illumination, and it gets even colder after dark. When you're outdoors for a long time, keep your feet and hands warm with kairo heat packs and thick socks.
Good to Know
Good to Know
Snow festivals are best at night
The Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival, the Ouchi-juku Snow Festival and Yokote's kamakura are all at their most beautiful once the lights come on after dark. Nights are freezing, so dress very warmly.
Book accommodation early
Accommodation fills up on snow festival dates and on weekends when the snow monsters are at their best. Book as soon as your dates are set.
Be ready for transport disruptions
Heavy snow and blizzards can delay or cancel trains and buses. Leave some slack in your return schedule too, just in case.
Drive carefully on snowy roads
If you use a rental car, winter tires are a must. If you're not used to driving on snow, we recommend trains, buses or tours.
Events
February Events & Highlights
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
Hirosaki ParkUsually early to mid-FebruaryAbout 200 snow lanterns and snow sculptures line the park, along with about 300 mini kamakura snow huts lit with candles. The illuminated, snow-covered Hirosaki Castle and projection mapping on snow sculptures are also highlights.
An event with about 450 years of history. Some 80 large kamakura snow huts and countless mini kamakura decorate the town. A water deity is enshrined at the back of each kamakura.
Read the guide：Yokote Kamakura Festival →Ouchi-juku Snow Festival
Ouchi-juku, FukushimaUsually a Saturday and Sunday in FebruaryA snow festival held in the post town of thatched-roof houses. After dark, snow lanterns are lit and fireworks go up.
Zao’s juhyo (rime-covered trees) form in sub-zero conditions when supercooled droplets of fog and cloud are carried by the wind, strike the trees and freeze. They are also known as “snow monsters.” On certain winter nights, the juhyo around the summit station, reached by ropeway, are lit up in colorful lights.
Read the guide：Zao Snow Monsters Light-up →Tours & tickets for this eventPR
- PRKlookGinzan Onsen & Zao Ropeway Snow Monsters Day Tour from SendaiA winter-only plan to see the snow monsters from the Zao Ropeway and stroll around Ginzan OnsenView on Klook
- PRKlookZao Snow Monsters, Ginzan Onsen & Fox Village Tour from SendaiA bus tour from Sendai with options including a Zao snow monster day plan (ropeway fare paid on site)View on Klook
Dates change every year. Please check the official websites before you go.
FAQ
FAQ
Q. What's the temperature in Sendai in February?＋
On average, the high is 6.5°C and the low is -1.1°C. It's midwinter cold, about the same as January.
Q. When is Yokote's kamakura festival?＋
It used to be held on the fixed dates of February 15 and 16, but it's now held on a Friday and Saturday in mid-February (the second Friday and Saturday until 2029). Check that year's dates with the Yokote City Tourism Association.
Q. What should I wear in Tohoku in February?＋
You'll need a warm winter coat such as a down jacket, gloves, a hat, a scarf and waterproof, non-slip boots. If you're going to a snow festival at night, kairo heat packs are a good idea too.
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.