Nara Weather in January

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

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

What to Expect in Nara in January

Nara, Japan is a region in Japan. January in Nara generally has cold temperatures, with moderate precipitation. January is a winter month.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are cold and range from 7°C (45°F) in Yoshino to 10°C (50°F) in Sango. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 1°C (34°F) in Sango and -1°C (30°F) in Yoshino. 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 Nara, Japan, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Sango with an average of 70 mm (2.8 in) to moderate rainfall in Yoshino with 86 mm (3.4 in).

Average sunshine

Most areas see decent amounts of sunshine this month. Sakurai gets around 142 hours of sunlight, providing a pleasant balance of sun and clouds. If you'd prefer more guaranteed sunshine, our weather planner can show you sunnier spots around the world.

Explore Nara by month

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

Best Places to Visit in Nara in January

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

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 Nara

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

Temperature range in Nara (January)

Precipitation variation in Nara (January)

Sakurai

In January Sakurai generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C (46°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C (30°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
8°C (46°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
2°C (36°F)
-1°C (30°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Monthly sun hours
151 hours
142 hours
140 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
75 mm (3 in)
77 mm (3 in)
94 mm (3.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
17 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Yoshino

In January Yoshino generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 7°C (45°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C (30°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
10°C (50°F)
7°C (45°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
1°C (34°F)
-1°C (30°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Monthly sun hours
151 hours
142 hours
140 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
84 mm (3.3 in)
86 mm (3.4 in)
105 mm (4.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
17 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Asuka

In January Asuka generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C (46°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C (30°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
8°C (46°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
1°C (34°F)
-1°C (30°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Monthly sun hours
151 hours
142 hours
140 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
78 mm (3.1 in)
80 mm (3.1 in)
97 mm (3.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
17 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Kashiba

In January Kashiba generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 0°C (32°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
9°C (48°F)
10°C (50°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
0°C (32°F)
1°C (34°F)
Monthly sun hours
151 hours
142 hours
140 hours
Monthly rainfall
73 mm (2.9 in)
73 mm (2.9 in)
89 mm (3.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
17 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Kashihara

In January Kashihara generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 0°C (32°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are less favorable that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
9°C (48°F)
10°C (50°F)
Min temperature
2°C (36°F)
0°C (32°F)
0°C (32°F)
Monthly sun hours
151 hours
142 hours
140 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
75 mm (3 in)
77 mm (3 in)
93 mm (3.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
17 days
18 days
Weather conditions

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

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Sakurai 8°C (46°F) -1°C (30°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Yoshino 7°C (45°F) -1°C (30°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Asuka 8°C (46°F) -1°C (30°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Kashiba 9°C (48°F) 0°C (32°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Kashihara 9°C (48°F) 0°C (32°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Sango 10°C (50°F) 1°C (34°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)

Nara weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Nara, Japan in January?

Nara, Japan typically experiences less favorable weather in January, part of the winter season. Daytime highs in Sakurai average around 8°C (46°F), and temperatures drop to about -1°C (30°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Nara, Japan in January?

Average temperatures in Nara, Japan during January range from a nighttime low near -1°C (30°F) to a daytime high around 8°C (46°F) in Sakurai.

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

Rain is generally moderate to light in Nara, Japan during January, with Sakurai averaging close to 77 mm (3 in).

Is January a Good Time to Visit Nara, Japan?

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

Generally speaking, May provides very good weather in Sakurai. The weather in January, February, March and July, on the other hand, tends to be less favorable.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Nara.

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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