Japan weather in January
Japan in January averages 0°C (32°F), 45 mm of rain and 5.4 hours of sun a day.
Of the twelve months in Japan, January is the coldest, the third driest and the fifth dullest.
- Average temp
- 0°C (32°F)
-5–5°C · 23–41°F
- Rainfall
- 45 mm
Not much rain
- Sunshine
- 5.4 h
hours per day
What is Japan like in January?
Daytime
Days are cool.
Rain
Rain is usually light.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What should I pack for Japan in January?
A warm mid-layer
Nights drop to around -5°C (23°F).
January compared with December and February
January in Japan is 2.6°C cooler than December and 13 mm wetter than it, which averages 3°C (37°F).
January in Japan is 1°C cooler than February and 10 mm wetter than it, which averages 1°C (34°F).
Daylight in Japan in January
On 15 January the sun is up for 9 hours 57 minutes in Japan, rising about 06:57 and setting about 16:54 local time.
January ends 38 minutes longer than it begins, so the last week of the month is a different length of day from the first.
That is 4 hours 40 minutes short of June, the longest-lit month here.
Japan weather by month
TemperatureRainfall
How January compares with the rest of the year
January is highlighted. Every other month links to its own page.
| Month | Average | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0°C / 32°F | 45 mm |
| February | 1°C / 34°F | 35 mm |
| March | 5°C / 41°F | 83 mm |
| April | 11°C / 52°F | 78 mm |
| May | 17°C / 63°F | 92 mm |
| June | 21°C / 70°F | 114 mm |
| July | 25°C / 76°F | 130 mm |
| August | 26°C / 79°F | 98 mm |
| September | 21°C / 71°F | 156 mm |
| October | 14°C / 58°F | 128 mm |
| November | 8°C / 47°F | 56 mm |
| December | 3°C / 37°F | 32 mm |
Check another month
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FAQs about Japan in January
January climate averages for Japan, 1991–2020.
Japan averages 0°C (32°F) in January, ranging from about -5°C (23°F) at night to 5°C (41°F) in the afternoon. That is a 1991–2020 average, so an individual week can run either side of it.
Barely. January sees only about 45 mm, so rain is unlikely to affect your plans.
No. January averages 0°C (32°F) against 1°C (34°F) in February — 1°C cooler.
January is 2.6°C cooler than December, and 13 mm wetter.
It is outside the easiest window. The most comfortable stretch here is May to October; January sits outside it, which usually means more heat, more rain, or both — worth it if you would rather have the place to yourself.
About 5.4 hours of sun a day on the 1991–2020 average.
This page does not show today's weather. It is a 1991–2020 climate normal from Meteostat — a long-run average of what January is usually like, which is what you want when booking months ahead. For today or the coming week, check a live forecast.
About 9 hours 57 minutes of daylight in mid-January, against 14 hours 37 minutes in June and 9 hours 43 minutes in December.
On 15 January, sunrise is about 06:57 and sunset about 16:54 local time. Both shift across the month — the month ends 38 minutes longer than it starts.
