Sendai Weather in January

January: cold and grey

Sendai feels properly wintry in January. Highs reach just 1°C, while nights fall to -5°C. Rain is frequent, with 24 rainy days, and the sky is often cloudy. There's only about two hours of sun each day, so don't count on long, bright sightseeing days.

The cold and damp can make wandering Jozenji-dori or shopping arcades less appealing. The covered arcades near Sendai Station are a good fallback, and a bowl of hot gyūtan (grilled beef tongue) makes a cosy break. Save long outdoor walks for clearer spells.

New Year in Sendai

New Year brings hatsumōde, the first shrine visit of the year. Osaki Hachimangu is a popular place to take part, but expect crowds around the holiday. Sendai's Hatsu-uri, or first-sale shopping, also draws people to the city's shopping streets from January 2.

Travelling with kids? A warm stop in the covered shopping arcades can help break up a cold day.

Quieter after the holiday

Once the New Year rush passes, January is generally quieter than the busier spring and summer months. That can make city sightseeing more relaxed, and accommodation may cost less than during peak periods. The holiday days are the exception, so the city won't feel quiet then.

A practical local tip: take the Sendai Subway to Osaki Hachimangu's nearest stop, Kita-Yonbancho, then walk to the shrine. Check the route before setting out, as the final stretch is outdoors and can feel especially raw on a wet, cloudy day.