Japan by month
Japan in January
The coldest month: powder snow in Hokkaido and Tohoku, sunny but cold Tokyo (around 10°C by day), and in Okinawa the first cherry blossoms of the year in mid-January.
What January is like
January is Japan's coldest month. Sapporo averages −0.4°C by day and −6.4°C at night, and inland Asahikawa drops below −11°C. Tokyo and Osaka are dry and sunny at around 10°C, with nights near freezing in Tokyo.
This is peak powder season in Hokkaido, Nagano and Niigata. After the New Year holiday ends around 3 January, crowds drop and hotel prices fall until Chinese New Year.
Where to go in January
For snow scenery, the frozen 'snow monster' trees of Hakkoda in Aomori and Zao in Yamagata are at their best. Nagano's Jigokudani snow monkeys soak in their hot spring. Snowy onsen towns like Ginzan in Yamagata and Nyuto in Akita are classic winter trips.
For warmth, Okinawa's hikanzakura cherry blossoms open around mid-January (Naha averages 16 January), with highs near 20°C.
Planning tips for January
Snow can delay flights and close mountain roads, especially on the Sea of Japan side. Keep transfers between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport loose, and check bus status for places like Shirakawa-go or Hakkoda.
Early January is also when Japanese visit shrines for the first prayers of the year, so popular shrines are busy until about mid-month.
Festivals and events
Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Fire Festival野沢温泉の道祖神祭り
15 January · Nagano
A wooden shrine is defended, then burned, in one of Japan's three great fire festivals.
Okinawa cherry blossom festivals沖縄の桜まつり
Mid-January to early February · Okinawa
Pink hikanzakura blossoms at Motobu's Mount Yaedake and Nago Castle Park.
Typical weather in January
Average daily high and low and total rainfall for the month (1991–2020). Tap a city for its 7-day forecast.
| City | High | Low | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | 0°C | -6°C | 108 |
| Asahikawa | -3°C | -12°C | 67 |
| Kushiro | 0°C | -10°C | 40 |
| Aomori | 2°C | -3°C | 140 |
| Akita | 3°C | -2°C | 119 |
| Sendai | 6°C | -1°C | 42 |
| Niigata | 5°C | 0°C | 181 |
| Kanazawa | 7°C | 1°C | 256 |
| Tokyo | 10°C | 1°C | 60 |
| Utsunomiya | 9°C | -2°C | 38 |
| Nagano | 4°C | -4°C | 55 |
| Nagoya | 9°C | 1°C | 51 |
| Osaka | 10°C | 3°C | 47 |
| Takamatsu | 10°C | 2°C | 39 |
| Matsue | 8°C | 2°C | 153 |
| Hiroshima | 10°C | 2°C | 46 |
| Kochi | 12°C | 2°C | 59 |
| Fukuoka | 10°C | 4°C | 74 |
| Kagoshima | 13°C | 5°C | 78 |
| Amami | 18°C | 12°C | 184 |
| Naha | 20°C | 15°C | 102 |
| Ishigaki | 22°C | 17°C | 135 |
Tips
- Layer up: thermal underwear, a fleece and a down jacket work better than one heavy coat, because trains and shops are warm inside.
- Bring shoes with grip for Hokkaido and Tohoku; convenience stores sell slip-on ice cleats.
- The air is very dry, especially indoors with the heating on. Pack moisturiser and lip balm.
Questions travellers ask
Is January a good time to visit Japan?
Yes, if you like snow or want lower prices after New Year. It's cold, but skies are clear on the Pacific side and snow is at its best in the north.
Where can I see snow in Japan in January?
Hokkaido, Tohoku (Aomori, Akita, Yamagata), Niigata, Nagano and the mountains of Gifu and Toyama all have reliable snow.
Are there cherry blossoms in January?
Yes, in Okinawa. Hikanzakura blossoms open around mid-January, about two months earlier than in Tokyo.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
- Japan Meteorological Agency気象庁JMA climate normals 1991–2020 (Japanese)(in Japanese) (opens in a new tab)
- Japan Meteorological Agency気象庁JMA cherry blossom and autumn leaf normals(in Japanese) (opens in a new tab)
- Nozawa Onsen Tourism Association野沢温泉観光協会Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival, Nozawa tourism (opens in a new tab)
All 12 months7-day forecasts for 22 cities
Facts checked 23 October 2026