When to go · Yamagata
Yamagata, month by month
The best months for Yamagata: Apr, May, Oct, Nov. Months to avoid: Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug, Dec.
Month by month
- JanuaryAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (hot, humid valley), mid-Dec–Feb unless skiing.3 °C / -3 °C, 18 rain days37 °F / 27 °F, 18 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (hot, humid valley), mid-Dec–Feb unless skiing.4 °C / -3 °C, 15 rain days39 °F / 27 °F, 15 rain daysCrowds: Low
- MarchGoodOutside the best window (Apr–May, Oct–early Nov (autumn colour at Yamadera)). Across Japan: Blossom arrives late in the month: prices jump, book early.9 °C / 0 °C, 14 rain days48 °F / 32 °F, 14 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGreatInside Yamagata's best window: Apr–May, Oct–early Nov (autumn colour at Yamadera).16 °C / 5 °C, 11 rain days61 °F / 41 °F, 11 rain daysCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayGreatInside Yamagata's best window: Apr–May, Oct–early Nov (autumn colour at Yamadera).22 °C / 11 °C, 10 rain days72 °F / 52 °F, 10 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneMixedOutside the best window (Apr–May, Oct–early Nov (autumn colour at Yamadera)). Across Japan: Rainy season in Honshū: grey, humid, fewer tourists; Hokkaidō is at its best.25 °C / 16 °C, 11 rain days77 °F / 61 °F, 11 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JulyAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (hot, humid valley), mid-Dec–Feb unless skiing.29 °C / 20 °C, 13 rain days84 °F / 68 °F, 13 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- AugustAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (hot, humid valley), mid-Dec–Feb unless skiing.31 °C / 22 °C, 11 rain days88 °F / 72 °F, 11 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberMixedOutside the best window (Apr–May, Oct–early Nov (autumn colour at Yamadera)). Across Japan: Still hot; typhoon peak can cancel flights and ferries for a day or two.26 °C / 17 °C, 12 rain days79 °F / 63 °F, 12 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGreatInside Yamagata's best window: Apr–May, Oct–early Nov (autumn colour at Yamadera).20 °C / 10 °C, 11 rain days68 °F / 50 °F, 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberGreatInside Yamagata's best window: Apr–May, Oct–early Nov (autumn colour at Yamadera).13 °C / 4 °C, 14 rain days55 °F / 39 °F, 14 rain daysCrowds: High
- DecemberAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (hot, humid valley), mid-Dec–Feb unless skiing.7 °C / 0 °C, 17 rain days45 °F / 32 °F, 17 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday