Sendai & Matsushima→
Station: SendaiSendai, Matsushima, Zuihoden, Akiu Onsen
High
10.0℃
Low
1.4℃
- Precip.
- 74.4mm
- Sunshine
- 179h
- Sunset
- 17:43
Highs of 10.0°C, mornings around 1°C. More sunny, spring-like days
Tohoku Weather Guide
Tohoku Weather in March: What to Wear & Expect
March in Tohoku is the season of transition from winter to spring. Sendai's high is 10.0°C and mornings are around 1°C, with more and more days when the sunshine feels like spring. Still, there's plenty of snow: the average maximum snow depth is 114 cm in Obanazawa (Ginzan Onsen), 80 cm in Kakunodate and 70 cm in Aomori. At Sukayu in Hakkoda it averages 372 cm, so the mountains still look like midwinter. Go dressed for winter.
- Sendai high
- 10.0℃
- Sendai low
- 1.4℃
- Sendai rainfall
- 74.4mm
- Sendai sunset
- 17:43
Overview
Tohoku in March: Key Points
- ✓Sendai's high is 10.0°C, with mornings around 1°C. You'll still need a winter coat
- ✓Lots of snow remains on the Sea of Japan side and inland. Obanazawa's average is 114 cm
- ✓Zao's snow monsters shrink as temperatures rise
- ✓Melting snow makes the ground slushy. Waterproof shoes come in handy
By Area
March Weather by Area
Temperature, precipitation, snow and sunshine are climate normals (1991-2020). Sunset is for March 15.
Hiraizumi & Ichinoseki→
Station: IchinosekiHiraizumi, Chusonji, Motsuji, Geibikei Gorge
High
9.5℃
Low
−0.8℃
- Precip.
- 76.1mm
- Sunshine
- 163h
- Sunset
- 17:42
Highs of 9.5°C, mornings around -1°C. The snow gradually decreases
Morioka & Koiwai→
Station: MoriokaMorioka, Koiwai Farm, Mt. Iwate, Tsunagi Onsen
High
7.5℃
Low
−1.8℃
- Precip.
- 82.1mm
- Max snow depth
- 21cm
- Sunset
- 17:41
Highs of 7.5°C, mornings around -2°C. Average maximum snow depth is 21 cm
Aomori & Hakkoda→
Station: AomoriAomori, Hakkoda, Sukayu Onsen, Sannai-Maruyama Site
High
6.8℃
Low
−0.8℃
- Precip.
- 75.2mm
- Max snow depth
- 70cm
- Sunset
- 17:43
Average maximum snow depth is 70 cm. Sukayu in Hakkoda still has an average of 372 cm of snow
Hirosaki→
Station: HirosakiHirosaki, Hirosaki Castle, Mt. Iwaki, Hirosaki Park
High
6.7℃
Low
−1.8℃
- Precip.
- 82.3mm
- Max snow depth
- 66cm
- Sunset
- 17:44
Highs around 7°C, mornings around -2°C. Lots of snow still remains
Lake Towada & Oirase→
Station: YasumiyaOirase Stream, Lake Towada, Yasumiya, Yakeyama
High
3.2℃
Low
−3.9℃
- Precip.
- 92.7mm
- Sunshine
- 116h
- Sunset
- 17:42
Highs around 3°C at Yasumiya, mornings around -4°C. Still winter-cold
Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen→
Station: KakunodateKakunodate, Samurai District, Lake Tazawa, Nyuto Onsen
High
6.9℃
Low
−2.1℃
- Precip.
- 135.7mm
- Max snow depth
- 80cm
- Sunset
- 17:44
Average maximum snow depth is 80 cm. The samurai district is still under snow
Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera→
Station: YamagataYamagata, Zao, Yamadera, Zao Onsen
High
9.1℃
Low
−0.3℃
- Precip.
- 72.1mm
- Max snow depth
- 22cm
- Sunset
- 17:45
Yamagata's high is 9.1°C. The time when Zao's snow monsters shrink
Ginzan Onsen & Obanazawa→
Station: ObanazawaGinzan Onsen, Obanazawa, Oishida
High
6.4℃
Low
−2.1℃
- Precip.
- 80.7mm
- Max snow depth
- 114cm
- Sunset
- 17:44
Obanazawa's average maximum snow depth is 114 cm. You can still enjoy the snowy hot spring town
Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-juku→
Station: WakamatsuAizu-Wakamatsu, Tsuruga Castle, Ouchi-juku, Higashiyama Onsen
High
8.9℃
Low
−0.7℃
- Precip.
- 77.5mm
- Max snow depth
- 26cm
- Sunset
- 17:47
Highs of 8.9°C. The snow melts steadily toward the end of the month
What to Wear
What to Wear in Tohoku in March
Base layer
Thermal underwear
Tops
Sweater or fleece; a thin knit on warm days
Outerwear
Down jacket or thick coat; full midwinter gear for snowy areas
Bottoms
Long pants; fleece-lined pants for snowy areas
Shoes
Waterproof boots, for slush from melting snow and icy patches
Accessories
Gloves and a scarf, plus kairo heat packs for mornings and evenings
On the Pacific side, including Sendai, days gradually get warmer, but mornings and evenings are cold. On days you head to the Sea of Japan side or into the mountains, it's safest to wear the same gear as in midwinter.
Good to Know
Good to Know
The season differs by area
Even when spring is in the air in Sendai, lots of snow still remains in Aomori, Hirosaki, Kakunodate and Ginzan Onsen. Adjust your clothing for each destination.
Watch out for slush
Snow melts during the day and freezes again in the morning and evening. Waterproof, non-slip shoes make walking easier.
See the snow monsters early
In March, Zao's snow monsters shrink with rising temperatures and rain, and eventually collapse. If you want to see big ones, go by February.
Spring break crowds
Spring break begins late in the month, and hot spring resorts and tourist spots start to get crowded. Book accommodation early.
Events
March Events & Highlights
Zao Snow Monsters (Last Chance)
Zao, YamagataMarchAs temperatures rise, the snow monsters gradually shrink. It's the last chance to see this remnant of winter.
Ginzan Onsen in the Snow
Obanazawa, YamagataUntil around MarchObanazawa's average maximum snow depth is still 114 cm in March. You can still enjoy the hot spring town with its snow and gas lamps.
Dates change every year. Please check the official websites before you go.
FAQ
FAQ
Q. What's the temperature in Sendai in March?＋
On average, the high is 10.0°C and the low is 1.4°C. Days start to feel like spring, but mornings and evenings are cold.
Q. Is there still snow in Tohoku in March?＋
Lots of it remains on the Sea of Japan side and inland. Average maximum snow depth is 114 cm in Obanazawa, 80 cm in Kakunodate and 70 cm in Aomori. Sendai's is 6 cm, and there's hardly any snow in the city.
Q. What should I wear in Tohoku in March?＋
You'll still need a winter coat. If you're heading to snowy areas, bring gloves and waterproof, non-slip shoes 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.