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Otaru Weather in January

January in Otaru brings very low temperatures, with daytime highs of -2°C (28°F) and nights around -8°C (18°F). Quite a bit of snowfall is expected, around 101 mm (4 in), so pack an umbrella.

Rainfall in Otaru in January

You can expect snow on around 29 days based on historical patterns, with 101 mm (4 in) average for the month. This is a wet month with frequent and often heavy showers. Both the number of rain days and the total rainfall are high.

Temperature in Otaru in January

Temperatures in Otaru in January top out at -2°C (28°F) and drop to -8°C (18°F) overnight. Winter occurs in January. Expect a distinctly cold feel throughout the day, not just overnight. At -8°C (18°F) overnight, frost and ice are likely outside. Indoors, consider packing an extra blanket if you're unsure about the heating. Since it's the coldest month of the year, you'll want to bundle up with extra layers and winter clothing.

Sunshine in Otaru in January

The area experiences limited sunny days, amounting to roughly 93 hours of sunshine. This makes it perfect for those who lean towards cooler, cloudier settings rather than intense sunlit days.

January in Otaru has its charm, but if you're looking for destinations with pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, our weather planner can help you explore other options in the world.

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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 Otaru's climate page.

Otaru Temperature in January

Min TemperatureMin Temperature -8°C (18°F)  
Max TemperatureMax Temperature -2°C (28°F)  
Chance of RainChance of Rain 98%  
PrecipitationPrecipitation 101 mm (4 in)  
Rainy daysRainy days 29 days  
HumidityHumidity 70% *  
SunshineSunshine 93 hours *  
Percentage SunshinePercentage Sunshine *  
* Data from: Sapporo, Japan (28 KM, 17 Miles).

Best Places in Japan in January

Find out more about the weather in Japan and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of Japan in January →

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Legend perfect weather pleasant tolerable unpleasant poor
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

What to Wear in Otaru in January

Winter clothing is essential for visiting Otaru in January. If you have a heavy coat, waterproof boots with good traction, and plenty of warm layers it's smart to bring them. Pack cloths like thermal underwear, wool socks, and insulated gloves. Prepare for significant rainfall with proper waterproof clothing and shoes. You can probably leave your sunglasses at home, because sunny days are pretty rare this month.

What To Do in Otaru in January

We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.

Swimming
1/10
Cycling
1/10
Walking
1/10
Camping
1/10
Outdoor sports
1/10

Select a Month

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 Otaru's climate page.

More climate data for Otaru