January splits into two distinct periods in Japan. The first week (up to January 3) is the peak period for New Year holidays, with crowded shrines, limited restaurant hours, and expensive Shinkansen seats. From January 4 onward, Japan enters one of its quietest travel periods of the year: low crowds, low prices, and cold, dry weather. Both windows have their appeal.

Quick Answer: Japan in January: Cold (3 to 10 degrees in Tokyo and Kyoto). Dry and sunny. Divided between the New Year holiday rush (January 1 to 3) and the quiet post-holiday period (January 4 onward). Ski season is at its peak. Low international tourist volumes from mid-January. See the Japan in winter for the full winter travel picture.

Japan Weather in January

Tokyo

Highs of 9 to 11 degrees. Lows of 2 to 4 degrees. January is Tokyo’s coldest month,h with occasional overnight frost. Tokyo receives its annual snowfall (typically 1 to 3 significant snowfall events) most commonly in January or February, which is a spectacular but brief disruption to the city.

Kyoto

Highs of 7 to 9 degrees. Lows of 0 to 2 degrees. Kyoto sees more snow than Tokyo,o and the occasional 5 to 10cm snowfall transforms the temple gardens into extraordinary scenes. The Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and the stone lanterns of Kasuga Taisha in Nara (see Nara guide) under snow are among Japan’s finest winter images. See the Kinkakuji guide.

Osaka

Similar to Kyoto. January is cold and occasionally snowy. The Osaka food guide restaurants and the Dotonbori food street are arguably most enjoyable in winter, when warming dishes like takoyaki and ramen hit differently.

Hokkaido

Deep winter. Sapporo averages minus 6 to minus 3 degrees in January, with heavy snowfall. The Hokkaido ski resorts at Niseko and Furano are at their best in January. The Sapporo travel guide covers the city.

New Year in Japan (January 1 to 3)

Hatsumode

The first shrine or temple visit of the New Year is one of Japan’s most important cultural rituals. Meiji Jingu in Tokyo, Naritasan Shinshoji in Chiba, and Narita (see Meiji Shrine guide) receive millions of visitors across the first three days. Arrive before midnight on December 31 or before 8 am on January 1 for the best experience. Crowds peak at midday on January 1.

New Year Decorations

Shop fronts, hotels, and homes display kadomatsu pine-and-bambooo New Year decorations) and shimenawa (sacred rope) until January 7. The scale of New Year decoration throughout Japan makes early January a visually distinctive time to visit.

Fukubukuro (Lucky Bags)

On January 1, department stores and shops sell fukubukuro (lucky bags) containing mystery merchandise at a significant discount from the listed retail price—a chaotic and beloved New Year’s shopping tradition. Department stores in Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza see queues from before opening. See the Seoul shopping guide equivalent in Korea.

Where to Go in Japan in January

Ski Resorts (mid-January to February)

Japan’s powder snow is among the finest in the world. Hokkaido (Niseko, Furano) and the Japanese Alps (Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen) are both excellent. See the Japan ski resorts guide.

Kyoto (mid-January onward)

After the New Year rush, Kyoto in mid-January is one of the quietest periods of the year. The temples are accessible without queues. See the 3-day Kyoto itinerary and the best hotels in Kyoto.

Tokyo for the New Year Experience

January 1 to 3 in Tokyo is a genuine cultural experience despite the crowds. See the Tokyo planning guide and Meiji Shrine guide.

Nearby Guides

FAQ

Is January a good time to visit Japan?

Yes, from mid-January onward. Post-holiday Japan (January 4 onward) is one of the least crowded and least expensive times to visit. The weather is cold but dry and clear. The downside is that some seasonal content is absent. The advantages are genuine: budget accommodation, no queues, and the authenticity of everyday Japanese life without the tourist overlay. See Japan in winter.

Should I visit Japan during the New Year?

The January 1 to 3 period is expensive and crowded with domestic travellers. However, the Hatsumode experience at a major shrine is one of the most culturally significant things to witness in Japan. If you want to see the Japanese New Year, it is worth the trade-offs. Book everything far in advance.

What is Japan like in January vs February?

Both months are cold and quiet. February has the Sapporo Snow Festival (usually the second week), the Setsubun bean-throwing festival (February 3), and the start of plum blossoms in some warmer areas. See the Japan in February guide.

Japan in January 2027: Weather, New Year Festivals, and Where to Go