One of the things to consider when planning a trip to Sendai in winter is what the weather will be like in your destination. This is especially given that the Tohoku region experiences cold winters and heavier snowfall. While the city itself doesn’t see much snow, when visiting Sendai in winter, measures against the cold are essential.
Today, a local writer will advise you on temperatures, and clothing that will be useful during your winter trip to Sendai (December/January/February).
What’s the weather in Sendai like?
Anutr Yossundara / Shutterstock.com
The Tohoku region is located in the northeastern part of Honshu, Japan. Sendai City, in Miyagi Prefecture, is located on an open plain by the Pacific Ocean, in the southeastern portion Tohoku. The area is pleasant to visit all-year-round, as the ocean is nearby and there are many sunny days. Although Sendai is cold in winter, snow has fallen only once or twice in the past few years.
The city center is well connected with a good public transportation system of trains, subway, and buses, making sightseeing easy even in bad weather.
Sendai weather in December
The average temperature in December is 4.5℃. The average high temperature is 8.4℃, and the average minimum is 0.9℃. The past few years have been characterized by milder winters in Sendai, and even the first December snow tends to be less copious than it used to be. However, to be ready for every eventuality, it’s best to prepare for snow.
Average temperatures for December in Sendai (Japan Meteorological Agency: values from 1981 to 2010)
Temperature (℃)4.5Lowest Temperature (℃)0.9Precipitation (mm)36.6Humidity (%)66
What to wear in Sendai in December
December is the beginning of the winter season in Sendai. An excellent way to protect yourself against the cold is to dress warm and in layers and wear a sweater or thicker skirt. Also, Sendai tends to have strong cold winds, so we recommend wearing a long coat, and towards the end of the month, a thicker jacket that stacks up against the wind.
Recommended outfits
・Top (Men and women): Warm under-clothing, sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets, coats
・Bottom (Men and women): Jeans, thicker pants
・Shoes: Sneakers for men, low-heal comfortable shoes for women
・Accessories: Scarf
Recommended sightseeing spots in Sendai in December
The Sendai Pageant of Starlight, an illumination event, is held in December, and it represents the city of Sendai.
The primary location is Jozenji Dori Avenue, a 20-minute walk from JR Sendai Station. If you use the subway, take the Namboku Line from Sendai Station, which will take about 10 minutes. Get off at Kotodaikoen Station, and walk a short distance from there.
From early December until the 31st, the trees at Jozenji Dori are lit up with hundreds of thousands of LED lights. Walk along the center of the promenade, a…
