Yamagata Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Yamagata, Japan in January.

Thinking about venturing to Yamagata, Japan this January and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in Yamagata in January

Yamagata, Japan is a region in Japan. January in Yamagata generally has temperatures that range from very cold to cold, with precipitation levels ranging from high to heavy. It's the height of winter.

Temperatures

Based on our climate data spanning from 1990-2020, the average maximum temperature is very cold in Yonezawa at 2°C (36°F) to cold in Sakata at 5°C (41°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 0°C (32°F) in Sakata and -5°C (23°F) in Yonezawa. In general, this month stands out as the coldest period throughout the year. Given the lower temperatures, it's essential to be well-prepared. Packing the right winter clothing and necessary accessories can make a significant difference in ensuring your comfort and well-being during this chilly season.

To explore the conditions in Yamagata, Japan in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From high snow/rainfall in Zao Onsen with an average of 113 mm (4.4 in) to heavy snow/rainfall in Tsuruoka with 271 mm (11 in).

Average sunshine

Most places get a reasonable amount of sunshine. Take Zao Onsen as an example - it receives around 148 hours of sunlight, offering a nice mix of sunny and partly cloudy days. Want to compare this with brighter destinations? Try our weather planner to explore your options.

Explore Yamagata by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Yamagata — and find the best time to visit. (based on Zao Onsen)

Best Places to Visit in Yamagata in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Yamagata.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Yamagata

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Yamagata, Japan?

Temperature range in Yamagata (January)

Precipitation variation in Yamagata (January)

Zao Onsen

In January Zao Onsen generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 3°C (37°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and high monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
6°C (43°F)
3°C (37°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Monthly sun hours
135 hours
148 hours
157 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
104 mm (4.1 in)
113 mm (4.4 in)
92 mm (3.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
27 days
29 days
25 days
Weather conditions

Tsuruoka

In January Tsuruoka generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C (39°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C (30°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
7°C (45°F)
4°C (39°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
2°C (36°F)
-1°C (30°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Monthly snow/rainfall
293 mm (12 in)
271 mm (11 in)
206 mm (8.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
29 days
30 days
27 days
Weather conditions

Yamagata

In January Yamagata generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 3°C (37°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and high monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
6°C (43°F)
3°C (37°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Monthly sun hours
135 hours
148 hours
157 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
117 mm (4.6 in)
126 mm (5 in)
101 mm (4 in)
Monthly rainy days
27 days
29 days
26 days
Weather conditions

Tendo

In January Tendo generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 3°C (37°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and high monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
6°C (43°F)
3°C (37°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Monthly sun hours
135 hours
148 hours
157 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
115 mm (4.5 in)
121 mm (4.8 in)
98 mm (3.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
27 days
29 days
25 days
Weather conditions

Kaminoyama

In January Kaminoyama generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 3°C (37°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and high monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
6°C (43°F)
3°C (37°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Monthly sun hours
135 hours
148 hours
157 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
117 mm (4.6 in)
127 mm (5 in)
103 mm (4.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
27 days
29 days
26 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Yamagata, in Japan.

In our records: Japan January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in Japan in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • In our records, the coldest January daytime high in Japan was -15°C (5°F) in Mount Fuji on January 18, 2004.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Yamagata in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Zao Onsen 3°C (37°F) -5°C (23°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Tsuruoka 4°C (39°F) -1°C (30°F) 271 mm (11 in)
Yamagata 3°C (37°F) -5°C (23°F) 126 mm (5 in)
Tendo 3°C (37°F) -5°C (23°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Kaminoyama 3°C (37°F) -5°C (23°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Yonezawa 2°C (36°F) -5°C (23°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)

Yamagata weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Yamagata, Japan in January?

In January, Yamagata, Japan generally has poor weather conditions. Zao Onsen sees daytime temperatures near 3°C (37°F), with nights cooling to roughly -5°C (23°F).

What is the average temperature in Yamagata, Japan in January?

Daytime temperatures in Zao Onsen peak at roughly 3°C (37°F) in January, dropping to about -5°C (23°F) overnight.

Does Yamagata, Japan get a lot of snow/rain in January?

Yes, January tends to be a wetter month in Yamagata, Japan. Average snow/rainfall in Zao Onsen sits around 113 mm (4.4 in).

Is January a Good Time to Visit Yamagata, Japan?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Zao Onsen, January may not be the ideal time to visit Yamagata, Japan.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in May offering mostly perfect weather in Zao Onsen. The weather in January, February, March and December, on the other hand, tends to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Yamagata.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Japan? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Japan.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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