Sendai, located in Japan’s Tohoku region, experiences a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are cool and relatively dry with little snow. The city is known for its cherry blossoms in spring, vibrant autumn foliage, and generally mild weather, making it a comfortable destination year-round.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Sendai’s climate is classified as humid subtropical, characterized by warm, humid summers and cool, relatively dry winters. Average annual temperatures hover around 12°C, with January being the coldest month (mean 2°C) and August the warmest (mean 25°C). Winters are generally mild compared to other northern Japanese cities, with limited snowfall and average highs around 5–6°C, while nighttime lows can dip just below freezing. Snowfall is modest, and significant snow accumulation is rare in the city center.
Summers in Sendai are warm and can be muggy, with daytime highs reaching 28°C in August. The rainy season typically occurs in June and July, bringing increased humidity and frequent rainfall. Annual precipitation averages 1,200–1,400 mm, with the wettest months being July and September. Typhoons may occasionally affect the region from August to early October, but they are less frequent and intense than in southern Japan. Sunshine hours peak in spring and autumn, with daily daylight ranging from 9.5 hours in winter to nearly 15 hours in June. Winds are generally moderate, but sea breezes can make mornings and evenings feel cooler, especially outside of summer.
Spring and autumn are especially notable for their pleasant weather and natural beauty. Cherry blossoms reach their peak in mid-April, while autumn foliage colors the city and surrounding mountains from late October to November. The sea near Sendai is cold in winter but becomes swimmable in late summer. Overall, Sendai’s climate offers comfortable conditions for both sightseeing and outdoor activities throughout most of the year.
| Average climate data for Sendai, Japan | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°F) | 38 | 39 | 47 | 56 | 68 | 73 | 79 | 82 | 75 | 65 | 54 | 44 | 82 |
| Average minimum temperature (°F) | 29 | 29 | 34 | 43 | 53 | 59 | 68 | 71 | 63 | 54 | 44 | 35 | 29 |
| Average precipitation (inch) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 28 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 9 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 21 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 153 |
| Average snowfall (inch) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 8 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 27 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 78 | 78 | 73 | 72 | 72 | 79 | 83 | 82 | 80 | 77 | 74 | 76 | 77 |
| Average wind speed (mph) | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 |
| Average water temperature (°F) | 52 | 47 | 45 | 49 | 55 | 64 | 71 | 75 | 73 | 66 | 60 | 55 | 59 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 45 | 44 | 41 | 38 | 37 | 44 | 48 | 45 | 41 | 38 | 36 | 43 | 42 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
The best time to visit Sendai is during spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November). These periods offer mild temperatures, lower humidity, and beautiful natural scenery, including cherry blossoms and autumn foliage. Outdoor activities and sightseeing are especially enjoyable, with comfortable weather and plenty of sunshine.
The least favorable time to visit Sendai is during the peak of the rainy and typhoon season, from late June to early October. Humidity is high, rainfall is frequent, and occasional typhoons may disrupt travel plans. Summer can also feel muggy, especially in July and August.
Sendai’s average annual temperature is around 12°C. Winters are cool with January averaging 2°C, while summers are warm with August averaging 25°C. The city experiences moderate seasonal variation, making it comfortable for most travelers.
Sendai receives some snowfall in winter, but it is generally light compared to other northern Japanese cities. Heavy snow accumulation is rare in the city center, though nearby mountains may see more snow.
The rainy season in Sendai typically occurs from June to July, bringing increased humidity and frequent rainfall. The wettest months are July and September, so packing an umbrella is recommended during this period.
Typhoons can affect Sendai from August to early October, but they are less frequent and intense than in southern Japan. It’s advisable to check weather forecasts if traveling during this period.
Pack light layers for spring and autumn, breathable clothing and rain gear for summer, and a warm coat for winter. Evenings can be cool year-round, so a light jacket is useful. An umbrella is handy during the rainy season.
Cherry blossoms in Sendai typically reach their peak around mid-April, about two to three weeks later than Tokyo. This is a popular time for visitors to enjoy hanami (blossom viewing) in the city’s parks.
Yes, Sendai’s climate allows for outdoor activities in all seasons. Spring and autumn are especially pleasant, while summer is good for festivals and winter offers occasional snow experiences in nearby areas.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (82.1 °F). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (38 °F). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 60.1 °F.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (70.6 °F). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (29 °F). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 48.5 °F.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (75 °F). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (45.3 °F). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 59.4 °F.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (4.4 inch). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (0.9 inch). Over the whole year there are 28.5 inch of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (20.7 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is January (8.7 days). Over the whole year there are 152.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (2.5 inch). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0 inch). Over the whole year there are 7.7 inch of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (9.2 days). The month with the fewest days of snowfall is September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 27.4 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is July (83.4 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is May (71.7 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 77.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (9 mph). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (5 mph). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 7.2 mph.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is July (48.4 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is November (36.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 41.8 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is May (Average sunshine: 9.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 4.9 h). Over the whole year there are 7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are July and August (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.8.
