Yamagata Prefecture

Region · Tohoku region, 🇯🇵 Japan

Population 1,063,231

Area 9,321 km²

Time zone Asia/Tokyo

Official website www.pref.yamagata.jp

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Yamagata Essentials

Yamagata's landscape is defined by the sacred peaks of the Dewa Sanzan, including the mysterious Mt. Yudonosan, and the volcanic terrain of Mt. Zao, famous for its winter rime ice 'snow monsters' and the emerald Okama Crater. The region features historic sites like the cliffside Yamadera temple complex and the ruins of Yamagata Castle. Cultural highlights include the Ken Domon Museum of Photography in Sakata and the Chido Museum in Tsuruoka, which showcases local history through relocated Edo-period buildings and traditional gardens.

7 places

Yamagata Prefecture — Map

Climate & when to visit

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor

-10°–2° · varies by region
-10° at night
20–25 rainy days · varies by region
1 sunny day
2 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in February

Poor

-9°–2° · varies by region
-10° at night
15–20 rainy days · varies by region
2 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in March

Poor

-5°–8° · varies by region
-7° at night
14–17 rainy days · varies by region
4 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Poor

2°–15° · varies by region
-3° at night
12–13 rainy days · varies by region
8 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Poor

8°–21° · varies by region
3° at night
11–13 rainy days · varies by region
8 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in June

Good

12°–25° · varies by region
8° at night
12–13 rainy days · varies by region
6 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in July

Good

16°–29° · varies by region
13° at night
16–19 rainy days · varies by region
4 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in August

Good

17°–30° · varies by region
14° at night
15–16 rainy days · varies by region
5 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in September

Good

13°–26° · varies by region
10° at night
15–16 rainy days · varies by region
6 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in October

Poor

7°–19° · varies by region
3° at night
14–17 rainy days · varies by region
6 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Poor

0°–12° · varies by region
-2° at night
16–20 rainy days · varies by region
4 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in December

Poor

-6°–5° · varies by region
-7° at night
21–24 rainy days · varies by region
1 sunny day
2 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

This destination spans several climate zones, so these figures are a range across the region rather than exact values. Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025