When to go · Yamagata
Yamagata in January
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (hot, humid valley), mid-Dec–Feb unless skiing.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) / −3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 18
- Crowds
- Low
- Japan overall
- Prices
- Low
- Japan overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (hot, humid valley), mid-Dec–Feb unless skiing.
Is another month better than January?
January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- AprilGreatInside Yamagata's best window: Apr–May, Oct–early Nov (autumn colour at Yamadera).
- MayGreatInside Yamagata's best window: Apr–May, Oct–early Nov (autumn colour at Yamadera).
- OctoberGreatInside Yamagata's best window: Apr–May, Oct–early Nov (autumn colour at Yamadera).
- NovemberGreatInside Yamagata's best window: Apr–May, Oct–early Nov (autumn colour at Yamadera).
Weather in January
- YamagataHighs around 3 °C (37 °F), lows around -3 °C (27 °F), rain on about 18 daysHighs around 37 °F (3 °C), lows around 27 °F (-3 °C), rain on about 18 days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
New Year (Shōgatsu) big impact
29 Dec – 3 Jan · Japan
Shops, museums and many restaurants close; shrines packed on 1–3 Jan; trains full on 29–30 Dec and 2–3 Jan.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Japan overall
- Low
- Prices · Japan overall
- Low
Japan overall: Cold, dry and clear in the cities after 3 Jan; ski season in Hokkaidō and the Alps.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Yamagata, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Avoid
Apr: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 3 °C (37 °F)37 °F (3 °C)
Apr: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Night low
Jan: -3 °C (27 °F)27 °F (-3 °C)
Apr: 5 °C (41 °F)41 °F (5 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 18
Apr: 11 (better)
Crowds
Jan: Low
Apr: High
Prices
Jan: Low
Apr: High
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Apr: 2
January: Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (hot, humid valley), mid-Dec–Feb unless skiing.
April: Inside Yamagata's best window: Apr–May, Oct–early Nov (autumn colour at Yamadera).
Yamagata: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast