This guide highlights what to expect from the weather, must-see seasonal attractions, and our featured tours you can join and enjoy during your visit.
Weather in July
Kicking off the string of hot summer months, July in Tohoku offers a slight reprieve from the intense heat when compared to other areas of Japan. The mornings and evenings are typically warm with temperatures rising during the day. The transition out of the rainy season does offer less rain on average, but the humidity levels tend to be on the rise throughout the month.
Daytime highs in Sendai usually range from about 27°C to 29°C (81°F - 84°F), while nighttime temperatures range from about 20°C to 22°C (68°F - 72°F). The end of the rainy season tends to reach into early July, so be prepared for the occasionally rainy day.
In areas like Koriyama the average temperature can reach anywhere from 26°C to 29°C (79°F to 85°F) with the average daily temperature staying at a steady 28°C (83°F). These areas tend to be described as warm and humid. Compared to other regions, July is typically the rainiest month for Koriyama.
Aomori City can see temperatures up to 26°C (78°F). Average lows tend to be around 18°C (54°F). On average, the day can be pleasantly warm and breezy. Aomori is considered very humid with an average humidity of 84%.
Overall temperatures tend to run high but thanks to the cool eastern winds Tohoku can offer days with lower temperatures. Despite this nice reprieve, humidity tends to stay high on average as well as periods of bright, sunny days. Due to the increased humidity and higher average temperatures, it's important to back light, breezy clothing as well as be prepared for hotter days by packing parasols, UV protective wear, sunscreen, and using cooling products like body wipes or neck cooling rings.
Seasonal Highlights in July
With the hot summer days on the rise, July is a great time to escape the summer heat and crowds by taking a trip up to the slightly cooler Tohoku region. Here are a few fun seasonal highlights:
Blueberry Picking
Throughout the year, there are always a variety of fruits waiting to be picked in many parts of the Tohoku region. July specifically is when blueberries are at their peak. With its easy access from Tokyo via shinkansen, Sendai is a metropolis that also has the perfect area to go blueberry picking! JR Fruit Park Sendai Arahama is located an easy 25 minute drive toward the coast from Sendai Station. The park is open every day except Tuesdays from 10:00 - 16:00. There's also a restaurant and cafe on the property that are open from 10:00 - 15:00. They have four different fields and offer over 70 varieties of blueberries. Entrance into the park itself is free, but for those looking to experience blueberry picking they have the following options.
Prepaid package: 30-minute, all you can eat blueberry picking + a take home pack. No waiting in line at check-out. 1,900 JPY per person
Pay on site package: 30-minute, all you can eat blueberry picking + a take home pack. You must wait in line at check out. 2,000 JPY per person.
This Fruit Park has a plethora of fruits throughout the year including figs, strawberries, gooseberries, grapes, apples, kiwi fruits, and Japanese pears, so make sure to stop by if you're ever in the area no matter what time of year!
Summer fun day at Lake Tazawa
Lake Tazawa is another caldera lake in Tohoku. It’s located north in Semboku city, Akita. Lake Tazawa is actually the deepest lake in Japan reaching 423 metres (1,388 ft) and is a widely popular vacation area with its lovely beaches off the shores of the lake as well as hot springs resorts in the area. An iconic photo-op location at Lake Tazawa includes the gold statue of Tetsuko. The folktale goes that Testuko was a young woman looking to preserve her youth and looks. After diligent praying, she was instructed to drink from a nearby spring to fulfil her wish. Unfortunately, her thirst and greed was grand and she drank up all the spring water and transformed into a dragon. She is cursed forever in this form; fated to stalk the lake’s depths and act as its guardian. There is lots to do around this lake area, including the Tazawa Loop Road, a bicycling journey of approximately 20km around which takes about 2 to 3 hours.
Summer wouldn’t be complete without a chilly, sweet treat. Thankfully Lake Tazawa has a perfect shop for that! Yama No Hachimitsuya is a popular tourist destination that sells local honey and honey products perfect for souvenirs. There’s even a corner where you can taste test various honey infused fruit vinegars. The icing on the cake is their soft serve ice cream near the back of the shop. To make things even more exciting, when purchasing a cone of honey ice cream you get a chance to try your luck with their “Honey Bee Swarm Challenge,” to win 8 bee-shaped chocolate candies to adorn your treat. Roll a die and if you land on the number 8, you win! Don’t worry though, even if you don’t get an 8, you still get one bee-shaped chocolate on top of your ice cream cone to enjoy.
Moshioyaki Salt-Making Ritual in Miyagi
This salt-making ritual is the only of its kind still practiced in Japan and was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Miyagi Prefecture in 1979. It occurs once every year from July 4th through 6th at Okama Shrine – located in the Monzenmachi area at the foot of Shiogama Shrine in the Miyagi Prefecture. This ancient ritual that honors Shiotsuchi Oji no Kami. This is the "kami" or deity that taught humans the secret of making salt from seawater. In fact, this shrine, which is a subsidiary shrine of the main Shiogama Shrine of the area, holds four iron cauldrons known as the "Divine Cauldrons." It is said that the water inside them never overflows nor runs dry. During the Edo period, it was believed that changes in the water served as a harbinger of impending events (both good or bad). This belief still carries on today during the Moshioyaki salt-making ritual.
This ritual takes place over three days, upon which the priests of Okama Shrine carry out the ancient practices of making salt using water from the bay areas. On the first day the priests collect seawater and seaweed from the nearby Shichigahama area and perform purifying rituals. On the second day, the priests take a boat out of Matsushima Bay, collect water at high tide, and replace the water in the sacred cauldrons. On the final day, July 6th, a bamboo rack is set up on top of a flat iron cauldron and covered with seaweed. Then seawater is poured over it to create a highly concentrated brine. This brine is then boiled down over a sacred fire kindled with flint to produce seaweed salt. The finished seaweed salt is offered at the annual festival of Okama Shrine immediately following its production, and is also offered at the annual festival of Shiogama Shrine on July 10th.
Recommended Tour: Snow Monkey Resort’s 1-Day Tour from Sendai: Matsushima Bay — Highlights from One of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views is a tour that visits the second destination of this salt-making ritual. This tour lets you visit the picturesque bay area, ancient zen temples, all the while making it back to Sendai in time for dinner. This tour would be a great way to spend a day in the area should you decide to visit Miyagi for this one of a kind ritual.
Small Group
1-Day Tour from Sendai: Matsushima Bay — Highlights from One of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views
- Spots:
- Matsushima
- Pick-up:
- Sendai
- Drop-off:
- Sendai
Oirase Gorge
The Oirase stream flows into Lake Towada and is a highly popular tourist spot. Rather than driving through the area, it’s recommended to take upon the trails off the side of the road and view the countless waterfalls and babbling brooks. The whole expanse is about 14 kilometers and can take upwards to 5 hours to walk or cycle through. This area is especially popular for poetry authors and artists, who take their time and even set up stations to sit and capture the natural scenery in all its glory. This area is also a wonderful place to experience forest bathing as you breathe in the fresh air provided by virgin beech, Japanese oak, maple, and white cedar trees.
SUP Boarding at Kodanohama Beach
The beach season officially opens in Miyagi prefecture from mid-July to mid-August. One popular destination is Kodanohama beach located on Kesennuma's Oshima Island. This area is about 2 hours north of Sendai and offers a plethora of sun summer activities to do while enjoying the scenic views and beautiful warm weather. Lifeguards are on duty at the beach from the morning to late-afternoon.
A particularly popular thing to do at this beach, among many other beaches across the Tohoku region, is get a chance to ride a SUP board. SUP stands for standup paddleboard and is a marine pastime that has gotten very popular throughout Japan over the past decade. The Oshima Paddle Club offers family-friendly and beginner-friendly SUP lessons for a day filled with fun on the water. Their basic course starts at 6,000 yen per person for a 2 hour lesson and experience. They also offer a variety of other courses for people with more experience or who want more time out on the water. For those interested, search for Oshima Paddle Club (オオシマパドルクラブ) to find their site with detailed information.
Sendai Uminomori Aquarium
It's always good to have airconditioned, indoor experiences ready to go. Whether it's escaping the rain or the summer heat, the Sendai Uminomori Aquarium is a perfect getaway within Sendai city. They have a variety of beautiful exhibitions where you can experience and learn all about the oceans of the world and different marine wildlife such as dolphins, penguins, sea lions, jellyfish, and a plethora of fish! There are concessions and
The area that the aquarium is located at is approximately a 15 minute walk from Nakanosakae Station on the JR Senseki Line leaving Sendai Station. There is also a bus that runs from Nakanosakae Station to the aquarium. It’s called the Miyako Bus and the Sendai Uminomori Suizokukan Line runs twice an hour between 8:00 and 15:00.
The aquarium itself is open from 9:00 - 17:30 with final entry 30 minutes before closing time. Adults are 2,400 yen, middle and high school students are 1,700 yen, elementary school students are 1,200 yen, and small children are 700 yen. There is also a senior citizen discount (65 years+) for 1,800 yen.
Festivals and Events in July
Summertime is a high-traffic travel season and those venturing to Japan should definitely keep their schedules open for a trip northward! Tohoku offers a small reprieve from the July heat, with its mountainous areas fending off the high temps. From various events, festivals, picturesque nature, and museum exhibitions, the Tohoku region offers a variety of experiences to enhance your trip.
Challenge from Date Masamune—“Answer My Quiz If You Dare!”
- July 10th (FRI) to August 30 (SUN)
- 9:00 - 16:45, closed Mondays
- Visitors can view this exhibition at the regular museum admission fee: Adults/college students 460 yen, high school students 230 yen, junior high and below 110 yen
The Sendai City Museum is a fantastic way to get an in-depth look at the history of Sendai and its journey to becoming the largest metropolis in the Tohoku region. This museum has permanent exhibitions that cover prehistoric history all the way to modern history pertaining to Sendai. There is an app you can download as well that offers explanations of artifacts and displays in multiple languages.
This particular exhibition is a temporary feature. One that features the famous samurai lord, and founder of the Sendai domain, Date Masamune. It questions – What would happen if this famed warlord of Japan's sengoku or warring period appeared in the present day? The exhibition walks you through displays of authentic historical artifacts and materials directly related to Date Masamune and poses questions to test your knowledge about him. It challenges you to become a real "Masamune Master," while earning words of encouragement from the samurai warlord. This exhibition is perfect for children and history lovers alike! The museum is easily accessible by the Sendai city Loople bus, and is conveniently located next to the Sendai Ryokusaikan Visitor Center.
Historic Sendai Tour: Date Masamune’s Legacy / All Year Round
This is the perfect tour for history lovers – especially samurai history! This tour of Sendai gives you insight to the city's dynamic heritage and to the influential Date Clan that fostered the city’s prosperity into what it is today. Starting with a in-depth storytelling of Date Masamune and his family at the mausoleum, you will then venture throughout the city hitting many of the significant highlights. This includes a museum tour which offers an overarching look at samurai history, the Date Clan, and Sendai's roots in general. You will then visit locations such as the site of the Sendai Castle Ruins, a preserved Edo period tea house, and an architecturally significant Date Clan shrine.
This tour allows you to take in not only the interesting history of the city, but also get a close look at the National Treasures that exemplify the power of the Date Clan and artistic style of early seventeenth century architecture.
Hassen Summer Brewery Festival – Hachinohe Brewery
- Prefestival LIVE event on July 18th (SAT), main sake festival event on July 19th (SUN)
- 11:00 - 18:00
- Hachinohe Brewery and surrounding area along the Niida River (9 Honmachi, Minato-machi, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture 031-0812)
- Ages 20 and over*: 2,000 yen (includes original glass + barrel sake or chilled amazake + 2 drink tickets) *Under 20 years old: Free
Hachinohe Brewery, founded in 1740, is beloved by locals for its commitment to producing Aomori Prefecture's sake using locally sourced rice and yeast. The name of the event, Hassen, comes from its branded sake named Mutsu Hassen. This brand name stems from the Chinese legend of "Eight Drunken Immortals," and is a story of merriment and wine drinking. Hachinohe Brewery hopes this name evokes that same euphoric feeling that the drunken immortals felt while enjoying their sake.
This sake event will have a pre-festival LIVE concert show at the same venue the day before with artists who have ties to the Aomori Prefecture. The main event day will have food stands, a craft market, sake brewery tours, among other exciting stalls and events taking place during the festival. It will be two days where you can fully enjoy music, sake, and the charm of the region; so come for a visit!
Oga Namahage Rock Festival Vol. 15
- July 24th (FRI), 25th (SAT), & 26th (SUN)
- Special Stage at Funakawa Port, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
- Tickets purchased online from the website or at Lawson convenience stores
The OGA NAMAHAGE ROCK FESTIVAL (ONRF) Executive Committee was created with the goal of revitalizing the area through the allure and power of music. This year marks the 19th anniversary of the committee's establishment and the outdoor rock festival is the 15th of its kind! Since there is only one stage at the venue, the number of artists is limited. But this year the committee has announced that the event will span three days, and encourage everyone to look forward to the event. The name of the event comes from Oga peninsula's symbol, the namahage. These are demon-like creatures that stem from Japanese folklore, and the namahage and the ritual surrounding them have been designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2018.
This year's event includes performances from a wide variety of J-rock, punk rock, among other types of musicians and bands. On Saturday there will be a special traditional Japanese drum performance by the Oga Namahage Drum Association where festival goers can experience the powerful rhythm of the namahage taiko drums. There will also be food and beverage stalls along with other vendors at the venue. Bringing in outside food and drink (small 500ml water bottles are OK) is prohibited.
The Honjo River Festival Fireworks
- July 18th (SAT) & 25th (SAT)
- Starting from 19:30 ~
- Roadside Station Iwaki Shimashiki Gyoko Park & Yusui Park in Yurihonjo City, Akita prefecture
An annual summertime festival in the western coast town of Akita prefecture, the Yurihonjo Fireworks Festival takes place every year thanks to the tourism association as well as contributions of its citizens through crowdfunding campaigns. This year they will hold two fireworks displays that each have a distinct theme. The first one on July 18th will have a motif of "sea," and the second one on July 25th will have the motif of "river." In addition to food stalls and trucks, there will also be paid seating areas for an even better view of the fireworks show. Tohoku has a grand amount of fireworks festivals throughout the summer, so if you are in the area in July, this one comes highly recommended!
Featured Tours in July
The hot weather and sunny days make July a perfect time to venture outdoors or walk the city streets. Even with a little rain in the forecast, these tours are able to be enjoyed without a hitch!
Explore one of Japan’s Top Three Scenic Views
Matsushima Bay is conveniently located just 30 minutes north of Sendai Station. This tour will cover many of the interesting highlights of the bayside town, including a stroll through a Zen garden, a visit to a historically important temple, among other things. The lovely trip ends with a comfortable 50-min boat cruise of the bay where you can see some of the 260 pine-clad islands up close.
Highlights:
- Visit two historic zen temples that include traditional gardens and National Important Cultural Properties.
- Travel back in time with a visit to a quaint retro museum
- Get a chance to Taste a Miyagi delicacy, zunda mochi, paired with traditional matcha
- Enjoy one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views via boat cruise of the bay
Small Group
1-Day Tour from Sendai: Matsushima Bay — Highlights from One of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Views
- Spots:
- Matsushima
- Pick-up:
- Sendai
- Drop-off:
- Sendai
Explore Nikko’s World Heritage and National Park
Get out of Tokyo and step back in time to Tochigi prefecture and explore the world famous heritage site and national park of Nikko! If you want to see some of Japan's most beautiful and culturally significant temples, shrines, traditional architecture and natural landmarks, then this tour is for you. With Nikko being two hours from Tokyo, it is the perfect day trip outside of the capital!
Highlights:
- Experience one of Japan’s most famous World Heritage sites and National Parks!
- See Nikko’s beautiful wood carvings of the famous ’Three Wise Monkeys’ and the ’Sleeping Cat’!
- See the resting place of Japan’s most famous Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu
- Walk through a gorge filled with ’Jizo’ statues and see a waterfall!
- Enjoy exploring a traditional and historic Imperial villa and garden!
Visit two spiritual behemoths in one day
Experience two spiritual behemoths, in size and importance, of the Tohoku region. This tour will grant you a day of spiritual significance, historical interest, and natural beauty. Sendai’s Daikannon (White Robbed Colossus) Statue and Yamagata’s Yamadera Temple (Risshaku-ji) are some of the most breathtaking sights located in the Tohoku region of Japan. Both of these notably spiritual destinations boast grandiose height, ritual pilgrimage, and offer visitors a chance to connect with the prominent Buddhist history that has shaped much of what Japan is today.
Highlights:
- See a panoramic view of Sendai City and, on clear days, the Pacific Ocean
- Witness 108 unique statues within the "womb" of Daikannon
- Taste Yamagata's celebrated delicacy ita soba or give yourself some energy with chikara konnyaku
- Climb the 1,015 stone steps of tranquil Risshaku-ji
- Partake in spiritual pilgrimages important to Japanese Buddhism
Curious about other Japan regional highlights in July? Check out our INFORMATION page for more details!
Tips for Visiting & Traveling in July
- Shinkansen: Travel to Tohoku is easy and convenient with the JR Pass or JR East Pass.
- Dress in light, cooling clothing: Although Tohoku technically offers cooler summers, be prepared for extra hot and humid days.
- Take Advantage of Warm Weather: Consistently warmer days during July make for a great time to enjoy views of the waterfronts and lush greenery of Tohoku.
- Stay Hydrated: The hot Japanese summers can catch up to you if you aren't careful. Be mindful to stay properly hydrated throughout your days as you enjoy all that Tohoku has to offer – especially if you are venturing outside.
- Indoor Excursions: With temperatures and humidity levels rising, having back-up plans for airconditioned, indoor activities is a must.
Plan Your July Visit
July is a fun season to visit Japan with the plethora of festivals, brilliant outdoor events and tourism, and memorable hiking excursions. Although particularly famous for its vibrant autumn leaves and intense snowfall in the winter, Tohoku in the summer months like July has much to offer.
With the rainy season typically behind us, expect temperatures and humidity levels to keep rising with the occasionally stormy day – especially at the beginning of July. Planning indoor trips as a back-up in case of rain or extreme heat is also highly recommended. Depending on where you travel to, the mountains might offer cooler air for some trailblazing to escape the city heat. Overall, temperatures have been on the rise year after year, so it's important to be prepared with lots of hydration, sunblock, and light breezy clothing. Summertime adventure awaits you in Tohoku!
Ready to discover Tohoku in July? Explore our seasonal tours and charters to experience the best Tohoku and other regions have to offer.
