Weather in Japan in January
January in Japan is deep winter. Days are short. The outdoor plan is a window in the middle of the day or not at all.
A country pin in January is a warning: one region of Japan will not match another. Use a city page if you already know where you are going. January is the cold side of the year in Japan. Pack for that, not for a leftover summer photo.
- Average temp
- 0°C
-5–5°C
- Rainfall
- 45 mm
Not much rain
- Sunshine
- 5.4 h
hours per day
What to expect
Daytime
Days in Japan in January are about getting between indoor places. The cold is the story. Gloves are not a fashion choice.
A clear spell is for a short walk, then back in. Do not plan a long outdoor day as the default. Night falls early and the cold deepens with it.
Rain
Mixed skies in Japan in January. Dry days and wet days share the month. Outdoor plans need a backup, not a cancellation policy.
Pack a shell you will actually carry. The monthly table is the place for totals. This is the feel: usable, interrupted.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in Japan
Featured stays on trip1. Dates are a starting point for January.
Average weather in Japan
TemperatureRainfall
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FAQs about Japan
Climate averages for Japan, 1991–2020.
The best time to visit Japan is between May and October, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.
August is the hottest month, with an average around 26°C.
September is the wettest month, with about 156 mm of rain.
No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.
