Nara

Kii Peninsula Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in the Kii Peninsula, Japan in January.

Are you planning a trip a to the Kii Peninsula, Japan in January and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.

What to Expect in the Kii Peninsula in January

The Kii Peninsula, Japan is a region in Japan. January in the Kii Peninsula generally has temperatures that range from cold to mild, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to high. During January, winter is in full swing.

Temperatures

Based on our climate data spanning from 1990-2020, the average maximum temperature is cold in Nara at 10°C (50°F) to mild in Taiji at 12°C (54°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 6°C (43°F) in Taiji and 1°C (34°F) in Nara. Typically, it's the chilliest month of the year. Making it a great time for staying indoors and enjoying the warmth. Make sure you're prepared by packing the right winter outfits.

For specific regional insights in the Kii Peninsula, Japan, refer to the map provided below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Nara with an average of 68 mm (2.7 in) to high rainfall in Taiji with 106 mm (4.2 in).

Average sunshine

Most places get a reasonable amount of sunshine. Take Nara as an example - it receives around 142 hours of sunlight, offering a nice mix of sunny and partly cloudy days. Want to compare this with brighter destinations? Try our weather planner to explore your options.

Explore the Kii Peninsula by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in the Kii Peninsula - and find the best time to visit. (based on Nara)

Best Places to Visit in the Kii Peninsula in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across the Kii Peninsula.

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).

Popular Destinations in the Kii Peninsula

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in the Kii Peninsula, Japan?

Temperature range in the Kii Peninsula (January)

Precipitation variation in the Kii Peninsula (January)

Nara

In January Nara generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 10°C (50°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 1°C (34°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
10°C (50°F)
10°C (50°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
1°C (34°F)
1°C (34°F)
Monthly sun hours
151 hours
142 hours
140 hours
Monthly rainfall
66 mm (2.6 in)
68 mm (2.7 in)
83 mm (3.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
19 days
19 days
Weather conditions

Wakayama

In January Wakayama generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 11°C (52°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 4°C (39°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are mixed that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
13°C (55°F)
11°C (52°F)
11°C (52°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
4°C (39°F)
4°C (39°F)
Monthly sun hours
134 hours
137 hours
134 hours
Monthly rainfall
97 mm (3.8 in)
95 mm (3.7 in)
107 mm (4.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
16 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Matsuzaka

In January Matsuzaka generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 10°C (50°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
13°C (55°F)
10°C (50°F)
11°C (52°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
3°C (37°F)
3°C (37°F)
Monthly rainfall
72 mm (2.8 in)
74 mm (2.9 in)
88 mm (3.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
14 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Taiji

In January Taiji generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C (54°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
15°C (59°F)
12°C (54°F)
13°C (55°F)
Min temperature
9°C (48°F)
6°C (43°F)
6°C (43°F)
Monthly rainfall
104 mm (4.1 in)
106 mm (4.2 in)
133 mm (5.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
13 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in the Kii Peninsula, in Japan.

In our records: Japan January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in Japan in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • In our records, the coldest January daytime high in Japan was -15°C (5°F) in Mount Fuji on January 18, 2004.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in the Kii Peninsula in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Nara 10°C (50°F) 1°C (34°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Wakayama 11°C (52°F) 4°C (39°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Matsuzaka 10°C (50°F) 3°C (37°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Taiji 12°C (54°F) 6°C (43°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)

The Kii Peninsula weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the Kii Peninsula, Japan in January?

the Kii Peninsula, Japan typically experiences less favorable weather in January, part of the winter season. Daytime highs in Nara average around 10°C (50°F), and temperatures drop to about 1°C (34°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in the Kii Peninsula, Japan in January?

Nara averages a daytime maximum of 10°C (50°F) in January, with overnight lows close to 1°C (34°F).

Does the Kii Peninsula, Japan get a lot of rain in January?

Rain is generally moderate to light in the Kii Peninsula, Japan during January, with Nara averaging close to 68 mm (2.7 in).

Is January a Good Time to Visit the Kii Peninsula, Japan?

In our view, January might not be the best time to travel to the Kii Peninsula, Japan with often less favorable weather in Nara.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in April, May, October and November offering mostly very good weather in Nara. In contrast, January, February and August tend to have less favorable weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in the Kii Peninsula.

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.

Bucket list

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