AugustSendai Tanabata Festival
Tohoku ・ Sendai & Matsushima
Every year August 6–8 (Sendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival as the eve event on August 5)
Tohoku Weather Guide
Sendai & Matsushima Weather & What to Wear
Sendai, Matsushima, Zuihoden, Akiu Onsen
The area around Sendai, Tohoku's largest city, and Matsushima, one of Japan's Three Great Views. It is also home to Zuihoden, linked to the warlord Date Masamune, and Akiu Onsen, Sendai's hot spring retreat. Being on the Pacific side, it has lots of sunny days in winter and relatively little snow for Tohoku. Summer highs are around 28°C, more bearable than in the Kanto region.
- January low
- −1.3℃
- August high
- 28.2℃
- Max snow depth
- 10cm
Forecast
Forecast: Today & the Next 7 Days
JMA forecast issued Oct 22, 11 AM
Every 3 Hours: Today & Tomorrow
- Today3 PMSunny16°☂ 0%15–19m/s
- 6 PMSunny14°☂ 0%10–14m/s
- 9 PMSunny12°☂ 0%0–2m/s
- Tomorrow12 AMSunny11°☂ 0%0–2m/s
- 3 AMSunny10°☂ 0%0–2m/s
- 6 AMSunny9°☂ 0%0–2m/s
- 9 AMSunny13°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 12 PMSunny16°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 3 PMSunny17°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 6 PMSunny15°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 9 PMSunny14°☂ 0%0–2m/s
Weather and wind are for the wider area; temperature is for the main forecast point. Chance of rain is for the 6-hour period.
- Today10/22(Thu)Sunny18°/14°Observed: 14°☂ 0%
- Tomorrow10/23(Fri)Sunny17°/8°☂ 0%
- 10/24(Sat)Cloudy, brief rain21°/11°☂ 50%
- 10/25(Sun)Cloudy, brief rain21°/15°☂ 70%Reliability A
- 10/26(Mon)Cloudy, brief rain18°/13°☂ 60%Reliability B
- 10/27(Tue)Cloudy, brief rain19°/12°☂ 50%Reliability C
- 10/28(Wed)Cloudy, sunny at times15°/8°☂ 30%Reliability A
- ☂ Chance of rain
- From day 3, the weekly forecast covers a wider prefecture-level area.
- Reliability of the weekly forecast (A: high, B: fairly high, C: fairly low)
- "Observed" is the temperature measured so far today by JMA weather stations (AMeDAS), not a forecast.
- Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (weather forecast)
Best Season
Best Time to Visit Sendai & Matsushima
For summer festivals
During the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri on August 6–8, colorful, lavish bamboo decorations line the shopping arcades.
Climate
Sendai & Matsushima Temperature & Snow Through the Year
Monthly high / low temperature (°C)
HighLow
Monthly max snow depth (cm)
Month by Month
Month-by-Month Weather & What to Wear
| Month | High | Low | Precip. | Max snow depth | What to wear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.6℃ | −1.3℃ | 42.3mm | 10cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Feb | 6.5℃ | −1.1℃ | 33.9mm | 10cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Mar | 10.0℃ | 1.4℃ | 74.4mm | 6cm | Warm jacketLight down or winter coat, sweater |
| Apr | 15.5℃ | 6.3℃ | 90.2mm | 1cm | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| May | 20.2℃ | 11.7℃ | 110.2mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Jun | 23.1℃ | 16.1℃ | 143.7mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Jul | 26.6℃ | 20.2℃ | 178.4mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Aug | 28.2℃ | 21.6℃ | 157.8mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Sep | 25.0℃ | 18.0℃ | 192.6mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Oct | 19.8℃ | 11.9℃ | 150.6mm | — | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Nov | 14.1℃ | 5.6℃ | 58.7mm | — | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Dec | 8.3℃ | 0.9℃ | 44.1mm | 6cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves |
Clothing tips are based on the normal high temperature and snow depth. Bring an extra layer for mornings and evenings.
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Sendai & MatsushimaPR
PR9.3ホテルメトロポリタン仙台イースト
★★★★Check rates on Agoda7,209 reviews1.6 km from center
PR8.7ホテルビスタ仙台
★★★★Check rates on Agoda7,052 reviews1.9 km from center
PR8.8仙台 ワシントン ホテル
★★★★Check rates on Agoda6,096 reviews1.7 km from center
PR8.7三井ガーデンホテル仙台
★★★★Check rates on Agoda5,681 reviews0.8 km from center
PR8.8アパホテル TKP仙台駅北
★★★★Check rates on Agoda5,117 reviews1.4 km from center
PR8.7ダイワロイネットホテル仙台
★★★Check rates on Agoda5,525 reviews1.8 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Seasons
Sendai & Matsushima Through the Seasons
🌸
Spring
Mar–MayCherry blossoms from early to mid-April. The April high is 15.5°C, and mornings and evenings are chilly, so you'll need a light jacket.
☀️
Summer
Jun–AugThe rainy season runs from mid-June to late July. The August high is around 28°C, and the Sendai Tanabata Matsuri in early August draws big crowds.
🍁
Autumn
Sep–NovSeptember is the rainiest month of the year. October is sunny and comfortable, with highs around 20°C.
❄️
Winter
Dec–FebHighs of 6–8°C, with mornings around -1°C. Snow doesn't often settle, but you'll still need a thick coat.
Events
Events & festivals in Sendai & Matsushima
August
DecemberCherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossoms in Sendai & Matsushima
RiversideShiroishi River Hitome Senbon Zakura
Tohoku ・ Ogawara, Miyagi
🌸 Typical peak: Early Apr – Mid Apr
✦ Night sakura
Fireworks
Fireworks festivals in Sendai & Matsushima
🎆 AugustSendai Tanabata Fireworks Festival
Tohoku ・ Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi
🎆 Early August, the night before the Sendai Tanabata Festival (August 6–8) (August 5 (Wed), 2026)
About 16,000 shells (2026, official)Paid seats
Autumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves in Sendai & Matsushima
Gorge🍁 Typical peak
Temple🍁 Typical peakAttractions
Attractions in Sendai & Matsushima
AquariumSendai Umino-Mori Aquarium
Tohoku ・ Sendai & Matsushima
An aquarium near Sendai Port. Across two floors, it shows sea life from Tohoku, Japan, and the world's oceans, starting with the large Sanriku-themed tank Inochi Kirameku Umi. It's about 18 minutes from Sendai Station to Nakanosakae Station on the JR Senseki Line, so it's easy to fit in between sightseeing in the city.
ZooYagiyama Zoological Park Fujisaki no Mori
Tohoku ・ Sendai & Matsushima
A zoo run by Sendai City on Yagiyama hill. It's close to Yagiyama Zoological Park Station on the Tozai Subway Line, about 12 minutes from Sendai Station. General admission is an affordable ¥480, making it a good half-day trip from central Sendai.
Travel Passes
Travel passes you can use in Sendai & Matsushima
🚄 JR
🚄 JR
🚄 JRJapan Rail Pass
Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed
From ¥50,000
Getting Around
Getting to and from Sendai & Matsushima
Tokyo → Sendai
Fastest: Approx. 1 hr 30 min (example timetable: Hayabusa 5)
🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus🌙 Overnight bus
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Sendai & Matsushima TripPR
Other Areas
Weather in Other Areas
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (climate normals 1991-2020). Compiled by tripuuu.log. Temperature and snow figures are normals from the Sendai station; actual weather varies from year to year.
