AugustTohoku Weather Guide
Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera Weather & What to Wear
Yamagata, Zao, Yamadera, Zao Onsen
The area around Yamagata, a city in a basin; Zao, known for its snow monsters; and Yamadera (Risshakuji), where you climb 1,015 stone steps. Being in a basin, it gets hot in summer, with an August high of 30.5°C. Winters are cold, but snow depth in Yamagata City is only around 47 cm in February. Up on Zao, it is much colder than in the city.
- January low
- −3.1℃
- August high
- 30.5℃
- Max snow depth
- 47cm
Forecast
Forecast: Today & the Next 7 Days
JMA forecast issued Oct 22, 11 AM
Every 3 Hours: Today & Tomorrow
- Today12 PMCloudy14°☂ 20%10–14m/s
- 3 PMCloudy15°☂ 20%10–14m/s
- 6 PMSunny13°☂ 10%0–2m/s
- 9 PMSunny10°☂ 10%0–2m/s
- Tomorrow12 AMSunny9°☂ 0%0–2m/s
- 3 AMSunny7°☂ 0%0–2m/s
- 6 AMSunny6°☂ 0%0–2m/s
- 9 AMSunny11°☂ 0%0–2m/s
- 12 PMSunny17°☂ 0%0–2m/s
- 3 PMSunny20°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 6 PMSunny13°☂ 0%3–5m/s
- 9 PMSunny10°☂ 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)Cloudy, then sunny17°/12°Observed: 12°☂ 20%
- Tomorrow10/23(Fri)Sunny20°/6°☂ 0%
- 10/24(Sat)Cloudy, brief rain22°/6°☂ 50%
- 10/25(Sun)Cloudy, brief rain20°/13°☂ 70%Reliability A
- 10/26(Mon)Cloudy, brief rain18°/12°☂ 50%Reliability C
- 10/27(Tue)Cloudy, brief rain17°/10°☂ 60%Reliability B
- 10/28(Wed)Cloudy, brief rain13°/6°☂ 50%Reliability C
- ☂ 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 Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
For snow monsters
Zao's juhyo (snow monsters) are usually at their best from late January to the end of February. It's much colder up the mountain than in the city, so wrap up warmly.
For cherries
Cherry picking runs from around early June to around the beginning of July. Satonishiki cherries are in season from mid to late June.
For the Hanagasa Matsuri
During the Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri on August 5–7, dancers holding flower-decorated hats parade through the city center.
Climate
Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera 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 | 3.3℃ | −3.1℃ | 87.8mm | 40cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Feb | 4.4℃ | −3.1℃ | 63mm | 47cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Mar | 9.1℃ | −0.3℃ | 72.1mm | 22cm | Warm jacketLight down or winter coat, sweater |
| Apr | 16.4℃ | 4.7℃ | 63.9mm | 2cm | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| May | 22.6℃ | 10.7℃ | 74.5mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Jun | 25.9℃ | 15.7℃ | 104.8mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Jul | 29.1℃ | 20.0℃ | 187.2mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Aug | 30.5℃ | 20.9℃ | 153mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Sep | 25.8℃ | 16.6℃ | 123.8mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Oct | 19.5℃ | 9.8℃ | 105.1mm | — | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Nov | 12.6℃ | 3.6℃ | 74.4mm | 3cm | Warm jacketLight down or winter coat, sweater |
| Dec | 6.1℃ | −0.7℃ | 97.2mm | 26cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
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 Yamagata, Zao & YamaderaPR
PR9.2ホテルメトロポリタン山形
★★★★Check rates on Agoda5,503 reviews1.1 km from center
PR9.3ダイワロイネットホテル 山形駅前
★★★Check rates on Agoda3,937 reviews1.0 km from center
PR9.0リッチモンドホテル山形駅前
★★★Check rates on Agoda3,638 reviews1.4 km from center
PR8.0山形グランドホテル
★★★Check rates on Agoda3,056 reviews0.3 km from center
PR8.4ホテルルートイン山形駅前
★★★Check rates on Agoda2,028 reviews1.3 km from center
PR8.1山形国際ホテル
★★★★Check rates on Agoda2,294 reviews0.9 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Seasons
Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera Through the Seasons
🌸
Spring
Mar–MayThe cherry blossoms usually open around April 13. May is dry and sunny, ideal for climbing the stone steps of Yamadera.
☀️
Summer
Jun–AugHighs of 29.1°C in July and 30.5°C in August, among the hottest in Tohoku. Cherries in June and the Hanagasa Matsuri in early August.
🍁
Autumn
Sep–NovThe October high is 19.5°C, with mornings around 10°C. A sightseeing season with lots of clear autumn days.
❄️
Winter
Dec–FebHighs of 3–6°C, with January mornings around -3°C. If you're heading up the mountain to see the snow monsters, dress as warmly as you would for skiing.
Events
Events & festivals in Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
August
December–FebruaryZao Snow Monsters Light-up
Tohoku ・ Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
The light-up is usually held on selected days from late December to late February (36 days between December 27 and February 22 in the 2025–2026 season). The best season for the snow monsters is late January to late February
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossoms in Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
CastleKajo Park (Yamagata Castle Ruins)
Tohoku ・ Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
🌸 Typical peak: Early Apr – Mid Apr
✦ Night sakura
Winter Scenery
Winter Scenery in Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
TempleYamadera (Hojusan Risshakuji Temple) in Snow
Tohoku ・ Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
❄ Best season: Early Dec – Late Mar
Onsen
Onsen towns in Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
♨ OnsenAutumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves in Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
Temple🍁 Typical peakYamadera (Risshakuji Temple)
Tohoku ・ Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
🍁 Typical peak: Late Oct – Early Nov
✦ Illumination
Attractions
Attractions in Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
AquariumTsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium (Tohoku Epson Aquarium Kamosui)
Tohoku ・ Tsuruoka, Yamagata
An aquarium in Tsuruoka facing the Sea of Japan, known for its jellyfish exhibits. After a five-month closure, it reopened after renovation on April 1, 2026 under the nickname Tohoku Epson Aquarium Kamosui. It displays about 100 species of jellyfish.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
ZooMiyagi Zao Fox Village
Tohoku ・ Shiroishi, Miyagi
A facility in Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture, where you can see foxes. The foxes roam freely inside, and you walk among them. Admission is free for elementary school students and younger.
Travel Passes
Travel passes you can use in Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera
🚄 JR
🚄 JRJapan Rail Pass
Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed
From ¥50,000
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera TripPR
🏨Hotels in YamagataCompare places to stay in the Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera areaHotels.com⛷️Yamagata lift passes & ski rentalBook gear and clothing rental togetherKlook♨️Tours & onsen experiencesHot spring inns in Ginzan, Nyuto, Zao, Higashiyama and moreKlook🎫Yamagata tours & activitiesSightseeing tours and activities in Yamagata, Zao & YamaderaKlook📱eSIM for JapanGet online as soon as you landAiralo
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 Yamagata station; actual weather varies from year to year.
