Sendai & Matsushima→
Station: SendaiSendai, Matsushima, Zuihoden, Akiu Onsen
High
19.8℃
Low
11.9℃
- Precip.
- 150.6mm
- Sunshine
- 147h
- Sunset
- 17:00
Highs around 20°C. Good for strolling by the sea at Matsushima under clear autumn skies
Tohoku Weather Guide
Tohoku Weather in October: What to Wear & Expect
October in Tohoku is when autumn deepens and the autumn leaves descend from the mountains to the villages. Sendai's high is 19.8°C and mornings are around 12°C. In Morioka and Aomori, mornings drop to around 8–9°C, so a jacket becomes essential. The leaves peak in Hakkoda in early October, at Oirase Stream from mid to late October, and from late October Chusonji and Motsuji in Hiraizumi also begin to change color.
- Sendai high
- 19.8℃
- Sendai low
- 11.9℃
- Sendai rainfall
- 150.6mm
- Sendai sunset
- 17:00
Overview
Tohoku in October: Key Points
- ✓Sendai's high is 19.8°C, with mornings around 12°C. You'll need long sleeves and a jacket
- ✓Autumn leaves in Hakkoda usually last until mid-October
- ✓Autumn leaves at Oirase Stream usually peak from mid to late October
- ✓From late October, autumn leaf season reaches Motsuji and Chusonji in Hiraizumi
By Area
October Weather by Area
Temperature, precipitation, snow and sunshine are climate normals (1991-2020). Sunset is for October 15.
Hiraizumi & Ichinoseki→
Station: IchinosekiHiraizumi, Chusonji, Motsuji, Geibikei Gorge
High
19.3℃
Low
9.5℃
- Precip.
- 118.6mm
- Sunshine
- 132h
- Sunset
- 16:59
Highs around 19°C. Motsuji's autumn leaves reach their best from late October
Morioka & Koiwai→
Station: MoriokaMorioka, Koiwai Farm, Mt. Iwate, Tsunagi Onsen
High
17.9℃
Low
7.9℃
- Precip.
- 108.7mm
- Sunshine
- 141h
- Sunset
- 16:58
Highs around 18°C, mornings around 8°C. Cold mornings and evenings
Aomori & Hakkoda→
Station: AomoriAomori, Hakkoda, Sukayu Onsen, Sannai-Maruyama Site
High
18.3℃
Low
9.1℃
- Precip.
- 119.2mm
- Sunshine
- 144h
- Sunset
- 16:58
Autumn leaves in Hakkoda until mid-October. Mornings around 9°C
Hirosaki→
Station: HirosakiHirosaki, Hirosaki Castle, Mt. Iwaki, Hirosaki Park
High
18.4℃
Low
8.2℃
- Precip.
- 107.7mm
- Sunshine
- 141h
- Sunset
- 17:00
Mornings around 8°C. Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival from late October
Lake Towada & Oirase→
Station: YasumiyaOirase Stream, Lake Towada, Yasumiya, Yakeyama
High
15.1℃
Low
6.5℃
- Precip.
- 152.5mm
- Sunshine
- 132h
- Sunset
- 16:58
Autumn leaves at Oirase Stream from mid to late October. Highs around 15°C
Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen→
Station: KakunodateKakunodate, Samurai District, Lake Tazawa, Nyuto Onsen
High
18.7℃
Low
8.1℃
- Precip.
- 171.5mm
- Sunshine
- 136h
- Sunset
- 17:00
Highs around 19°C, mornings around 8°C. A season when hot springs feel wonderful
Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera→
Station: YamagataYamagata, Zao, Yamadera, Zao Onsen
High
19.5℃
Low
9.8℃
- Precip.
- 105.1mm
- Sunshine
- 132h
- Sunset
- 17:02
Mornings around 10°C. A good season for walking up the approach to Yamadera
Ginzan Onsen & Obanazawa→
Station: ObanazawaGinzan Onsen, Obanazawa, Oishida
High
18.2℃
Low
8.5℃
- Precip.
- 120.5mm
- Sunshine
- 120h
- Sunset
- 17:01
Highs around 18°C. You'll need a jacket in the morning and evening
Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-juku→
Station: WakamatsuAizu-Wakamatsu, Tsuruga Castle, Ouchi-juku, Higashiyama Onsen
High
19.5℃
Low
9.8℃
- Precip.
- 112.6mm
- Sunshine
- 122h
- Sunset
- 17:05
Mornings around 10°C. Good for strolling Tsuruga Castle and Ouchi-juku
What to Wear
What to Wear in Tohoku in October
Tops
Long-sleeved shirt or T-shirt
Outerwear
Light jacket or fleece; a light coat in late October
Bottoms
Long pants
Shoes
Comfortable shoes such as sneakers; non-slip shoes for walks along the stream
Accessories
Folding umbrella and a stole
At Lake Towada and Oirase, highs are around 15°C, and it's even colder along the stream. If you're going to see the autumn leaves, a fleece or light down jacket will keep you comfortable.
Good to Know
Good to Know
Autumn leaves move from the mountains down to the villages
Tohoku's autumn leaves start at high elevations such as Hakkoda, reach Oirase from mid to late October, and come down to the lowlands from late October. The best time varies by destination, so check before you go.
Autumn leaf season is crowded
Oirase Stream and Hakkoda see heavy traffic during autumn leaf season. Book accommodation early, and we recommend getting started early in the morning.
The best time varies by year
When the leaves change color depends on that year's temperatures. Check autumn leaf reports from tourism associations and other sources before your trip.
The days get shorter
In late October, it starts getting dark before 5 p.m. Plan stream walks and mountain sightseeing starting in the morning.
Events
October Events & Highlights
Hakkoda Autumn Leaves
Hakkoda, AomoriUsually late September–mid-OctoberFrom the Hakkoda Ropeway, you can look out over mountains dyed red and yellow.
Oirase Stream Autumn Leaves
Oirase Stream, AomoriUsually mid to late OctoberWalking the trail along the stream, you can enjoy waterfalls, rushing water and autumn leaves up close.
Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival
Hirosaki ParkUsually late October to early NovemberHeld in Hirosaki Park, where more than 1,000 maple trees change color, with displays of chrysanthemum dolls and illuminations of the autumn leaves.
Dates change every year. Please check the official websites before you go.
FAQ
FAQ
Q. What's the temperature in Sendai in October?＋
On average, the high is 19.8°C and the low is 11.9°C. Wear long sleeves with a light jacket.
Q. When are the autumn leaves at Oirase Stream?＋
They usually peak from mid to late October. Hakkoda is earlier, from late September to mid-October.
Q. What should I wear in Tohoku in October?＋
Long sleeves with a jacket or fleece are the basics. In Aomori, Morioka and the mountains, mornings and evenings get cold, so an extra warm layer will keep you comfortable.
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.