Weather in January in Japan
Thinking about venturing to Japan this January and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:
What is the weather like in Japan in January?
Japan has a wide variety of climate types. During January, you can expect temperatures that range from very cold to warm and precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. January falls during the winter season.
Temperatures
During the day temperatures vary from very cold in Kamikawa at -6°C to warm in Ishigaki Island at 22°C. At night it cools down to 19°C in Ishigaki Island and -14°C in Kamikawa. In general, this month stands out as the coldest period throughout the year. Given the lower temperatures, it's essential to be well-prepared. Packing the right winter clothing and necessary accessories can make a significant difference in ensuring your comfort and well-being during this chilly season.To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Japan, check out the map below.
Precipitation
In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Fukuyama with an average of 50 mm to heavy rainfall in Itoigawa with 309 mm.Average sunshine
Most cities enjoy a balanced amount of sunshine, with around 189 hours of sunlight anticipated in Tokyo. This ensures the days are neither too dim nor excessively sunny.For more details on the yearly climate, visit our Japan climate page.
Where to go in Japan in January
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Select a Month of Interest
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit Japan, check out our Japan's climate page.
Popular destinations
What is the weather like in January for the 5 most popular destinations in Japan?
Tokyo
In January Tokyo generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 10°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Kyoto
In January Kyoto generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -0°C and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Osaka
In January Osaka generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 10°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Hakuba
In January Hakuba generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 0°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -7°C and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Hakone
In January Hakone generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in Japan.
Is January the best time to visit Japan?
Given the typically poor weather conditions in Tokyo, January may not be the ideal time to visit Japan.
Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in May, June and November offering mostly pleasant weather in Tokyo. On the other hand, the month of January tends to have poor weather conditions.
Interested in more climate information?
We have much more information about the climate in Japan.
Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Japan? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Japan.
Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.