Weather in Yamagata

The transition from one season to another encompasses various nuances in Japanese culture, and each season is dear to Japanese people in one way or another. Every season is unique in itself, so you’ll find an endless number of activities to keep you busy throughout the year. Here is my guide of what to do to make the most out of Yamagata weather.

Spring

Spring is a delightful season of conflicting emotions. It is a season of farewell and new friendships; a season of tears and joy; a season of anxiety and excitement. At the city hall and in schools, teachers wait with anticipation to find out if they would stay in their current position or move to a different one. For students, it is the season of graduation and entrance ceremonies. Amidst blossoming cherry trees, students bid farewell to the old academic year as they welcome the new one with enthusiasm. For ALTs, it is a chance to start a new relationship with a new JTE, be it for better or for worse. But most important, Spring is cherry blossom season.

Here in Yamagata city, the best places to catch cherry blossoms are at Kajo Park, and along the Mamigasaki River. For an insider's guide to cherry blossom viewing (hanami), check out Tenki.jp, which tracks the growth of cherry trees all across the country. From this site, you can find out the exact date of a full blossom in any prefecture in Japan. You can also browse through the list of parks to find the best spots to enjoy the pretty pink flowers. With a selected destination in mind, pack a picnic mat, food and some drinks, and celebrate spring the way Japanese people do: have a hanami party under a big and beatiful cherry blossom park! Relax under a cherry tree, sip some sake, catch up with your friends and bask in the warm sunlight of spring.

As the temperature rises, we also slip unknowingly into the wet season (shuttsubai). June is a month filled with rainy days a-plenty. Do watch the daily weather forecast and bring an umbrella with you wherever you go. If you ride your mama-chari, either wear a raincoat or use a transparent umbrella. An opaque one increases accident risks and a fine of up to 50,000 yen awaits you. The rain brings with it undesired inconvenience. But as the Japanese people say, once shuttsubai comes, summer would make its official entrance.

Summer

Summer in Yamagata is...tough. And when you arrive, Japan will be in the thick of Summer. It is a true test of patience, praying and waiting for the vice-principal to give the green light to switch on the air-conditioning in the teachers’ room. Temperatures rise as much as above 35°C. But, there are many festivals that fill the streets of Yamagata for all to enjoy. The biggest festival in Yamagata city is undoubtedly the Hanagasa Festival. Traditionally, hanagasa is a dance that celebrates the joy of harvesting farmers. Today, Hanagasa Festival is a three-day dance fiesta that thousands of people participate in to usher in summer. A weekend after Hanagasa is the fireworks festival. This is a good time to put on a yutaka (a casual Japanese-style kimono) and enjoy a two-hour fireworks extravaganza with your friends. To complete your summer, you can also enjoy fruit picking at farms or go hiking in the mountains.

Fall

To the Japanese people, fall is the time for art and food. So, immerse yourself in Japanese culture and savor as many seasonal delicacies as you can during this short season. As the cool breeze blows, it is a good idea to sit in a Japanese garden and enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in all it's tranquility. It is also an opportunity to pick up a new Japanese hobby. There are many places where you can learn Japanese pottery and calligraphy in Yamagata City. You may also consider visiting some museums on the weekends. The last hurrah before winter is imoni-kai. It is a taro-soup party peculiar to Yamagata Prefecture. On the first Sunday of September, you can enjoy imoni-kai with lots of other people along the Mamigasaki River.

Winter

The temperature in Yamagata City rarely falls below -8°C in winter. Snowfall is also the least of all cities in Yamagata prefecture. Having said that though, once the long and lonely winter season settles in, it is still tempting to hibernate under your kotatsu (a heated table cover) even here in Yamagata city. Still there is lots to see and do, and anyway the best way to beat the cold is to stay active.

Winter will not be complete without a trip to the ski slopes in Zao. If skiing or snowboarding does not excite you, how about a trip to a hot spring? Onsens guarantee the best escape from winter. It is pure bliss to enjoy a hot outdoor bath while admiring the silvery landscape. Besides the conventional winter sports, snowshoeing or snow trekking are also activities that add color to this dark season. And of course, to warm up your body, enjoy some sake and nabe-ryouri. To survive Yamagata wintertime you'll need your a kerosene heater, trusty waterproof boots, and delicate walking skills for navigating the snow strewn streets.

Sayounara!

We look forward to enjoying Yamagata’s four exciting seasons with you! In the meantime, check out www.yamagatakanko.com/english for comprehensive information about the prefecture and Yamagata's wiki page for detailed information about such things as precipitation.