{"id":6274,"date":"2023-02-15T16:53:48","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T16:53:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.designerjourneys.com?p=6274"},"modified":"2026-09-14T15:48:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T15:48:00","slug":"japan-in-january","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/japan-in-january\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan in January: Weather, Festivals and Where to Go"},"content":{"rendered":"

Japan in January is an excellent time to visit if you want powder snow, clear winter skies, steaming onsen and major sights with fewer visitors. The trade-off is real, though: the first few days of January in Japan bring closures and heavy domestic travel, daylight is short, and northern Japan is properly cold.<\/span><\/p>\n

For most travellers, the sweet spot begins after the New Year holiday. From roughly the second week of January, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka settle back into their normal rhythm, while Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps move into some of their best snow conditions of the season.<\/span><\/p>\n

January is also one of those months when choosing where you go matters more than usual. Tokyo may be crisp and sunny while Hokuriku is buried under snow. You can ski waist-deep powder in Hokkaido, soak in an outdoor rotenburo surrounded by snow in Nagano, or escape winter almost entirely in Okinawa.<\/span><\/p>\n

This guide is about January specifically rather than Japanese winter in general, because the difference matters. A trip leaving on 30 December and a trip leaving on 15 January are close to two different holidays.<\/span><\/p>\n

Japan in January at a glance<\/h2>\n

There are really two versions of Japan in January: the New Year period and the rest of the month.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\n1 – 4 January<\/b><\/th>\n5 – 31 January<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Crowds<\/b><\/td>\nVery busy at major shrines, transport hubs and popular New Year destinations<\/span><\/td>\nGenerally low in major sightseeing cities; ski areas remain busy<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prices<\/b><\/td>\nHigher around New Year, especially for transport and resort accommodation<\/span><\/td>\nOften better value outside ski resorts and weekends<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weather<\/b><\/td>\nCold nationwide; deep winter conditions in the north and mountains<\/span><\/td>\nSimilar, with increasingly reliable snow in ski regions<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Daylight<\/b><\/td>\nRoughly 9-10.5 hours depending on latitude<\/span><\/td>\nSlowly increasing through the month<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best for<\/b><\/td>\nHatsum\u014dde, Japanese New Year traditions, atmosphere<\/span><\/td>\nSkiing, onsen, quieter cities, winter food and sightseeing<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Think twice if<\/b><\/td>\nYou dislike closures, queues or having to book well ahead<\/span><\/td>\nYou want warm weather, long hiking days or cherry blossoms<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

I usually prefer a first or second trip in mid-to-late January<\/strong>. You still get Japan at its most wintry, but without having to build the whole itinerary around holiday closures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Japan weather in January, region by region<\/h2>\n

January is one of Japan’s coldest months, but “cold” means very different things depending on where you are.<\/span><\/p>\n

Japan Meteorological Agency climate normals for 1991-2020 put Tokyo’s average January high at 9.8\u00b0C (50\u00b0F) and low at 1.2\u00b0C (34\u00b0F). By comparison, Sapporo averages a high of -0.4\u00b0C (31\u00b0F) and a low of -6.4\u00b0C (20\u00b0F). Osaka is milder, while Naha in Okinawa feels almost like a different season altogether.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
City<\/b><\/th>\nAvg. January high<\/b><\/th>\nAvg. January low<\/b><\/th>\nWhat it usually feels like<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Sapporo<\/span><\/td>\n-0.4\u00b0C \/ 31\u00b0F<\/span><\/td>\n-6.4\u00b0C \/ 20\u00b0F<\/span><\/td>\nProper snow-and-ice winter; insulated boots matter<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tokyo<\/span><\/td>\n9.8\u00b0C \/ 50\u00b0F<\/span><\/td>\n1.2\u00b0C \/ 34\u00b0F<\/span><\/td>\nCold, dry and often bright; colder after sunset<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kyoto<\/span><\/td>\nAround 9\u00b0C \/ 48\u00b0F<\/span><\/td>\nAround 1\u00b0C \/ 34\u00b0F<\/span><\/td>\nChilly mornings and evenings; occasional snow<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Osaka<\/span><\/td>\n9.7\u00b0C \/ 49\u00b0F<\/span><\/td>\n3.0\u00b0C \/ 37\u00b0F<\/span><\/td>\nCold but manageable for full days outdoors<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hiroshima<\/span><\/td>\n9.9\u00b0C \/ 50\u00b0F<\/span><\/td>\n2.0\u00b0C \/ 36\u00b0F<\/span><\/td>\nCool and relatively mild compared with mountain regions<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Naha<\/span><\/td>\n19.8\u00b0C \/ 68\u00b0F<\/span><\/td>\n14.9\u00b0C \/ 59\u00b0F<\/span><\/td>\nLight-jacket weather rather than deep winter<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Source:<\/strong> Japan Meteorological Agency, 1991-2020 climate normals.<\/span><\/p>\n

What the numbers don’t show particularly well is the difference between Japan’s two winter faces.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the Pacific side, including Tokyo, winter can feel remarkably crisp. Humidity is low, skies are frequently clear and, in direct sunshine, a 9\u00b0C afternoon can feel much more comfortable than the number suggests. Once the sun disappears, however, temperatures drop quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sea of Japan side and the mountains are another story. Moisture crossing from the continent produces heavy snow, which is exactly why areas such as Niseko, Hakuba and parts of Nagano are so attractive to skiers.<\/span><\/p>\n

The practical lesson is simple: don’t pack for “Japan.” Pack for your route. A Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka trip needs a good coat and layers. Add Hokkaido, Zao or the Japanese Alps, and you need waterproof footwear, gloves and clothing designed for persistent snow.<\/span><\/p>\n

The New Year period: what is actually closed?<\/h2>\n

This is the part of visiting Japan in January that catches travellers out. <\/span>1 January 2027 is a national public holiday, and the broader Sh\u014dgatsu period affects businesses for several days around it.<\/span><\/p>\n

There isn’t one nationwide rule saying everything closes from a particular date, but we treat 29 December to 3 January as the period to plan around most carefully. Museums, galleries and independent restaurants are the most likely to be shut.<\/span><\/p>\n

29-31 December<\/h3>\n

This is when many smaller restaurants, family-run shops, museums and private businesses begin their holidays.<\/span><\/p>\n

Transport still operates, but domestic travel is heavy. Reserved seats on popular Shinkansen services and flights can become difficult to secure.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re arriving during this period, a large city is much easier to work with than a remote onsen town where only a handful of restaurants may be available.<\/span><\/p>\n

1 January<\/h3>\n

New Year’s Day is a public holiday. Many museums, attractions and independent businesses remain closed, although temples and shrines are very much alive.<\/span><\/p>\n

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