Nagano Prefecture

Nagano Prefecture Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Nagano Prefecture, Japan in January.

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

What to Expect in Nagano Prefecture in January

Nagano Prefecture, Japan is a region in Japan. January in Nagano Prefecture generally has temperatures that range from very cold to cold, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. During January, winter is in full swing.

Temperatures

During the day temperatures vary from very cold in Omachi at -1°C (30°F) to cold in Achi at 4°C (39°F). At night it cools down to -6°C (21°F) in Achi and -9°C (16°F) in Omachi. 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.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Nagano Prefecture, Japan, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate snow/rainfall in Saku with an average of 65 mm (2.6 in) to heavy snow/rainfall in Otari with 243 mm (9.6 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine hours are generally lower in most areas during January. Hakuba experiences about 80 hours of sunlight. If you're looking for brighter destinations, our weather planner can suggest better options.

Explore Nagano Prefecture by month

Best Places to Visit in Nagano Prefecture in January

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

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 Nagano Prefecture

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

Temperature range in Nagano Prefecture (January)

Precipitation variation in Nagano Prefecture (January)

Hakuba

In January Hakuba generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 0°C (32°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -7°C (19°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
3°C (37°F)
0°C (32°F)
1°C (34°F)
Min temperature
-5°C (23°F)
-7°C (19°F)
-7°C (19°F)
Monthly sun hours
86 hours
80 hours
104 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
221 mm (8.7 in)
223 mm (8.8 in)
206 mm (8.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
23 days
26 days
23 days
Weather conditions

Yamanouchi

In January Yamanouchi generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 2°C (36°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -7°C (19°F) and high monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
5°C (41°F)
2°C (36°F)
3°C (37°F)
Min temperature
-4°C (25°F)
-7°C (19°F)
-6°C (21°F)
Monthly sun hours
137 hours
128 hours
130 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
129 mm (5.1 in)
144 mm (5.7 in)
133 mm (5.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
21 days
24 days
22 days
Weather conditions

Matsumoto

In January Matsumoto generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 2°C (36°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -8°C (18°F) and high monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
5°C (41°F)
2°C (36°F)
3°C (37°F)
Min temperature
-5°C (23°F)
-8°C (18°F)
-7°C (19°F)
Monthly sun hours
137 hours
128 hours
130 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
119 mm (4.7 in)
121 mm (4.8 in)
126 mm (5 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
19 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Nozawa Onsen

In January Nozawa Onsen generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 3°C (37°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
6°C (43°F)
3°C (37°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
-3°C (27°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Monthly sun hours
79 hours
67 hours
81 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
189 mm (7.4 in)
206 mm (8.1 in)
177 mm (7 in)
Monthly rainy days
22 days
25 days
23 days
Weather conditions

Karuizawa

In January Karuizawa generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C (39°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
7°C (45°F)
4°C (39°F)
5°C (41°F)
Min temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Monthly sun hours
137 hours
128 hours
130 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
63 mm (2.5 in)
74 mm (2.9 in)
82 mm (3.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
18 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Nagano Prefecture, 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 Nagano Prefecture in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Hakuba 0°C (32°F) -7°C (19°F) 223 mm (8.8 in)
Yamanouchi 2°C (36°F) -7°C (19°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
Matsumoto 2°C (36°F) -8°C (18°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Nozawa Onsen 3°C (37°F) -5°C (23°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Karuizawa 4°C (39°F) -5°C (23°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Otari 1°C (34°F) -6°C (21°F) 243 mm (9.6 in)

Nagano Prefecture weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Nagano Prefecture, Japan in January?

Expect poor weather across Nagano Prefecture, Japan in January. The popular destination of Hakuba averages 0°C (32°F) by day and -7°C (19°F) at night during this winter month.

What is the average temperature in Nagano Prefecture, Japan in January?

Average temperatures in Nagano Prefecture, Japan during January range from a nighttime low near -7°C (19°F) to a daytime high around 0°C (32°F) in Hakuba.

Does Nagano Prefecture, Japan get a lot of snow/rain in January?

Yes. January brings heavy snow/rainfall to Nagano Prefecture, Japan, with Hakuba averaging around 223 mm (8.8 in). Expect frequent showers and pack accordingly.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Nagano Prefecture, Japan?

In our view, January might not be the best time to travel to Nagano Prefecture, Japan with often poor weather in Hakuba.

On average, the best time to visit Nagano Prefecture, Japan is in with generally poor weather in Hakuba.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Nagano Prefecture.

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.

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