The attractions were all fantastic and well worth the trip. Since transportation can be inconvenient for solo travelers, joining a day tour is a convenient option.
This was my first trip to the Tohoku region of Japan, and I was most looking forward to Ginzan Onsen and Zao Snow Trees. I wasn't disappointed at all after seeing them. The little foxes at Fox Village were adorable, and the Edo area in Onihira was also very unique. If you include the entrance fee and cable car ride, it's quite a good deal overall. I highly recommend visiting Japan in winter!
The driver responded quickly and provided excellent service. They also provided a child seat as requested. I highly recommend using this pick-up and drop-off service!
Adding a Tohoku tour to Matsushima for a boat trip, grilled oysters, fish cakes, and scallops is a great deal. Just be aware that many attractions close after 4 PM, so it's recommended to leave early. Zuigan-ji Temple in Matsushima is highly recommended. Tateyama-ji Temple in Yamagata is also highly recommended. If time is limited, you can skip the Basho Memorial Museum.
The biggest advantage of visiting these tours in the summer is that you don't have to squeeze with crowds, there are no queues at attractions, and you don't have to wait long to take photos. The quality of the tour is much better than in winter. Zao Ogama is very beautiful. The weather is cold and windy, so you need to wear a jacket even in summer, otherwise you will be shivering. Our tour guide, Ji Fang, is very friendly. I often encounter difficult customers in my work, so I feel bad asking the tour guide to do anything extra. But she took the initiative to speak up and put the guests first, making them feel her enthusiasm. The return trip takes two hours, and she thoughtfully asked the driver to stop at a rest stop along the way so that the guests wouldn't have to hold their urine for too long. Lunch was delicious and we ate our fill. I recommend this tour to anyone who wants to go.
The driver was very friendly and considerate. We could discuss the itinerary along the way, and he would recommend places to visit. The schedule was also very well planned, without any rushing or pressure, ensuring we had a pleasant and perfect trip.
The planning was excellent; the fox was molting at the time, and at first glance, I thought it was a dog. The weather was perfect – the Okama was absolutely gorgeous, and the cool, refreshing Ginzan Onsen weather made it a great place to visit in winter. I'm giving myself another chance to go!
Anonymous User
Family
Yamagata Weather, Climate and Best Time to Visit
Data source:Meteostat Update date:2025-09
Yamagata year round climate
Spring (March–May): Average 5.3–16.6°C, mild climate, but early spring can still be chilly. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed. Common activities: flower viewing, hiking, hot spring trips. Recommended clothing: light jacket, long-sleeved shirt, comfortable walking shoes.
Summer (June–August): Average 21.3–27°C, hot and humid, with the most rainfall in July. Common activities: mountain climbing, playing in streams, enjoying local cuisine. Recommended clothing: light and breathable clothing, sun hat, sunscreen.
Autumn (September–November): Average 9.0–23.1°C, comfortable and pleasant climate, with gradually decreasing rainfall. Common activities: autumn leaves viewing, enjoying the flavors of the harvest. Recommended clothing: light jacket, comfortable clothing; note the large temperature difference between morning and evening.
Winter (December–February): Average 0.4–2.6°C, cold and dry, with relatively heavy snowfall. Common activities: skiing, hot spring experiences, admiring snow scenery. Recommended clothing: warm clothing, thick jacket, scarf, gloves, hat.
Yamagata climatological average
Annual average temperature: approx. 13.3°C / Annual rainfall: approx. 1305 mm / Summer humidity: 70%–80% / Rainiest month: July
Yamagata monthly average temperature and precipitation
Month
Air temperature (°C)
Precipitation (mm)
January
0.4°C
83
February
1.2°C
70.9
March
5.3°C
102.3
April
12.6°C
87.2
May
16.6°C
114.9
June
21.3°C
116.1
July
25.9°C
182.3
August
27°C
119.5
September
23.1°C
138.1
October
14.9°C
74.5
November
9°C
99.5
December
2.6°C
117
Yamagata weather for the next seven days
9/5
Saturday
Sunny
24.6°C/14.5°C
9/6
Sunday
Patchy rain nearby
19.4°C/16.5°C
9/7
Monday
Light rain shower
18.3°C/15.6°C
9/8
Tuesday
Overcast
25.7°C/15.8°C
9/9
Wednesday
Fog
22.4°C/16.3°C
9/10
Thursday
Sunny
21.6°C/12.4°C
9/11
Friday
Overcast
23.6°C/13.9°C
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