Sendai & Matsushima→
Station: SendaiSendai, Matsushima, Zuihoden, Akiu Onsen
High
5.6℃
Low
−1.3℃
- Precip.
- 42.3mm
- Max snow depth
- 10cm
- Sunset
- 16:38
Highs of 5.6°C, mornings around -1°C. Lots of sunny, dry days
Tohoku Weather Guide
Tohoku Weather in January: What to Wear & Expect
January is the coldest month of the year in Tohoku. Sendai's high is 5.6°C and mornings drop to around -1°C. Sendai, on the Pacific side, has lots of sunny, dry days, while the Sea of Japan side and inland areas such as Aomori, Hirosaki, Kakunodate and Ginzan Onsen see snow day after day, with Aomori's average maximum snow depth reaching 83 cm. Snow monsters form on Zao and Hakkoda, and it's a great season for hot springs with snow views.
- Sendai high
- 5.6℃
- Sendai low
- −1.3℃
- Sendai snow depth
- 10cm
- Sendai sunset
- 16:38
Overview
Tohoku in January: Key Points
- ✓Sendai's high is 5.6°C, with mornings around -1°C. You'll need a midwinter coat
- ✓Aomori, Hirosaki, Kakunodate and Ginzan Onsen get lots of snow. Bring shoes for snowy roads
- ✓Sendai has lots of sunny days, but the Sea of Japan side sees cloudy and snowy days in a row
- ✓The season for snow monsters on Zao and Hakkoda, and for hot springs with snow views
By Area
January Weather by Area
Temperature, precipitation, snow and sunshine are climate normals (1991-2020). Sunset is for January 15.
Hiraizumi & Ichinoseki→
Station: IchinosekiHiraizumi, Chusonji, Motsuji, Geibikei Gorge
High
3.8℃
Low
−3.6℃
- Precip.
- 46.5mm
- Max snow depth
- 16cm
- Sunset
- 16:36
Highs around 4°C, mornings around -4°C. You may see Chusonji dusted with snow
Morioka & Koiwai→
Station: MoriokaMorioka, Koiwai Farm, Mt. Iwate, Tsunagi Onsen
High
2.0℃
Low
−5.2℃
- Precip.
- 49.4mm
- Max snow depth
- 27cm
- Sunset
- 16:33
Highs of 2.0°C, mornings around -5°C. Watch out for icy roads
Aomori & Hakkoda→
Station: AomoriAomori, Hakkoda, Sukayu Onsen, Sannai-Maruyama Site
High
1.8℃
Low
−3.5℃
- Precip.
- 139.9mm
- Max snow depth
- 83cm
- Sunset
- 16:32
Highs around 2°C; average maximum snow depth is 83 cm. Snow monster season in Hakkoda
Hirosaki→
Station: HirosakiHirosaki, Hirosaki Castle, Mt. Iwaki, Hirosaki Park
High
1.7℃
Low
−4.6℃
- Precip.
- 125.5mm
- Max snow depth
- 67cm
- Sunset
- 16:34
Mornings around -5°C. Lots of snow, with only around 44 hours of sunshine in the month
Lake Towada & Oirase→
Station: YasumiyaOirase Stream, Lake Towada, Yasumiya, Yakeyama
High
−1.2℃
Low
−6.7℃
- Precip.
- 66.1mm
- Sunshine
- 49h
- Sunset
- 16:32
Highs around -1°C at Yasumiya, mornings around -7°C. Bitterly cold, below freezing even in the daytime
Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen→
Station: KakunodateKakunodate, Samurai District, Lake Tazawa, Nyuto Onsen
High
1.5℃
Low
−4.9℃
- Precip.
- 171.6mm
- Max snow depth
- 81cm
- Sunset
- 16:36
Average maximum snow depth is 81 cm. The season for the snow-covered samurai district and Nyuto Onsen
Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera→
Station: YamagataYamagata, Zao, Yamadera, Zao Onsen
High
3.3℃
Low
−3.1℃
- Precip.
- 87.8mm
- Max snow depth
- 40cm
- Sunset
- 16:41
Yamagata's high is 3.3°C. The time when Zao's snow monsters grow
Ginzan Onsen & Obanazawa→
Station: ObanazawaGinzan Onsen, Obanazawa, Oishida
High
1.7℃
Low
−4.1℃
- Precip.
- 165.3mm
- Max snow depth
- 129cm
- Sunset
- 16:39
Obanazawa's average maximum snow depth is 129 cm. A snowy hot spring town lit by gas lamps
Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-juku→
Station: WakamatsuAizu-Wakamatsu, Tsuruga Castle, Ouchi-juku, Higashiyama Onsen
High
2.9℃
Low
−3.4℃
- Precip.
- 102.4mm
- Max snow depth
- 49cm
- Sunset
- 16:44
Highs around 3°C, mornings around -3°C. Ouchi-juku is blanketed in snow
What to Wear
What to Wear in Tohoku in January
Base layer
Highly insulating thermal underwear; thick ones on days you'll be walking outdoors for a long time
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; a must in snowy areas
Accessories
Gloves, a knit hat, a scarf and kairo (disposable heat packs)
In snowy areas, icy roads get slippery. Choose winter boots with treaded soles and take small steps to stay safe.
Good to Know
Good to Know
Snowy roads are slippery
In places like Aomori, Hirosaki, Kakunodate and Ginzan Onsen, sidewalks are covered with snow and ice. Wear non-slip shoes and allow plenty of time to get around.
The weather differs between the Pacific and Sea of Japan sides
January sunshine is around 149 hours in Sendai, compared with 48.5 hours in Aomori. Even when it's sunny in Sendai, it may keep snowing on the Sea of Japan side and inland, across the mountains.
Be ready for transport disruptions
Heavy snow and blizzards can delay or cancel trains and buses. Build some slack into your itinerary and check service information.
Driving into Ginzan Onsen
In winter, snow narrows the roads at Ginzan Onsen, and the shared parking lot in the hot spring town is closed. For day trips, use the parking lots and shuttle buses designated by Obanazawa City.
Events
January Events & Highlights
Matsutaki Matsuri (Donto-sai)
Osaki Hachimangu, SendaiJanuary 14A ritual in which New Year decorations are burned in a bonfire to pray for good health through the year. You can also see the hadaka-mairi procession, in which participants dressed in white walk in silence while ringing bells.
Juhyo (snow monsters) form when Maries' firs are coated in snow and ice. You can see them by taking the Zao Ropeway. On certain days from late December to late February, they are also lit up at night.
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
Hakkoda Snow Monsters
Hakkoda, AomoriUsually best January–FebruaryFrom the Hakkoda Ropeway, you can view the snow monsters as if taking a walk through the sky above them.
Dates change every year. Please check the official websites before you go.
FAQ
FAQ
Q. What's the temperature in Sendai in January?＋
On average, the high is 5.6°C and the low is -1.3°C. It's the coldest month of the year, with mornings dropping below freezing.
Q. Does Tohoku get a lot of snow in January?＋
It varies greatly by area. Sendai's average maximum snow depth is 10 cm, but it's 83 cm in Aomori and 129 cm in Obanazawa (Ginzan Onsen), so the Sea of Japan side and inland areas get much more snow.
Q. What should I wear in Tohoku in January?＋
You'll need a warm winter coat such as a down jacket, plus gloves, a hat and a scarf. If you're heading to snowy areas, bring waterproof, non-slip boots.
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.