Japan in January: Weather, Events and Things to Do

Is January a good time to visit Japan? Yes, if you like crisp blue skies, snow, hot springs and fewer crowds. After the first few days of the New Year holidays, January is one of the quietest months of the year in Japan’s big cities, hotel prices drop, and the mountains and the Japan Sea coast are deep in snow.

The trade off is cold weather and a few closed businesses around New Year’s Day. In this guide you get the weather by region, the January events worth planning around, what to pack, and the best things to do, from skiing and snow monkeys to winter illuminations and warm Okinawa.

Japan in January at a Glance

• Weather: cold and dry on the Pacific side (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto), heavy snow on the Japan Sea side, in the Alps and in Hokkaido, mild in Okinawa.
• Crowds: very busy from about 29 December to 3 January, then calm for most of the month.
• Prices: flights and hotels in cities are usually cheaper after the New Year week. Ski resorts are the exception and stay in high season.
• Best for: skiing, onsen, snow landscapes, Mt Fuji views, winter food and city sightseeing without the spring crowds.

If you are still deciding between months, my overview of the best time to visit Japan compares every season.

January Weather by Region

Japan is long, so January feels very different depending on where you go. The figures below are rough averages and can change from year to year, so check a forecast before you pack.

The dry winter air on the Pacific side is also the reason January is one of the best months to see Mt Fuji clearly, especially in the early morning.

New Year in Japan (Shogatsu)

The New Year is the most important holiday in Japan. Families travel home, many people visit a shrine or temple for hatsumode (the first visit of the year), and some smaller shops, restaurants and museums close from about 31 December to 3 January.

• Hatsumode: big shrines such as Meiji Jingu in Tokyo get very crowded in the first days of January. Smaller neighbourhood shrines are calmer and just as atmospheric.
• Fukubukuro: department stores and fashion shops sell “lucky bags” with mystery contents, usually from 1 or 2 January.
• Osechi and mochi: traditional New Year food appears everywhere, and convenience stores sell seasonal versions too.
• Transport: trains and flights are packed around the start and end of the holiday, so book the shinkansen early if you travel then.

For our own New Year in Tokyo we went on a little shrine tour, and one of our stops was Suga Shrine in Yotsuya, the shrine at the top of the famous Your Name stairs. Visiting a few smaller shrines is a relaxed way to do hatsumode, and you still get the atmosphere of the first days of the year.

Events and Holidays in January

• New Year’s Day (1 January): national holiday, with many businesses closed for a few days.
• Coming of Age Day (second Monday of January): 20 year olds celebrate becoming adults, and you may see young women in colourful furisode kimono around city halls and shrines.
• Winter illuminations: many light displays that start in November keep running into January or February.
• Ski season: by January most resorts are fully open with a solid snow base.
• Early February preview: the Sapporo Snow Festival takes place in early February, so a late January trip to Hokkaido can be combined with it. See my Sapporo Snow Festival guide.

Exact dates of local festivals change every year, so check the official tourism site of the area before you go.

Best Things to Do in Japan in January

Go skiing or snowboarding

January is peak powder season in Nagano and Hokkaido. Snow quality is usually excellent and resorts are well equipped for international visitors. My guide to skiing in Japan covers regions, costs and how to get there.

See the snow monkeys

The macaques at Jigokudani in Nagano are famous for bathing in a hot spring, and winter is when they are most likely to sit in the warm water. I have visited the snow monkeys twice and have been to Nagano prefecture eight times, and it remains one of my favourite parts of Japan. Read the full snow monkey onsen guide before you go.

January is the ideal month for the snow monkeys. It is usually the coldest part of winter, so snow on the ground is likely and the monkeys have every reason to sit in the warm water. We have not been there in January ourselves: our first visit was in December, and we were lucky to arrive on the day of the first snowfall. If you want the best odds of the classic snowy scene, plan your trip for January or February.

Soak in an onsen

Few things beat an outdoor hot spring bath while snow falls around you. Many onsen towns are at their most beautiful in January, and a night in a ryokan with dinner is a classic winter experience.

Enjoy the cities without the crowds

Once the New Year rush is over, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are noticeably calmer than in spring or autumn. Popular temples, museums and food streets are easier to enjoy, and the clear air makes for great views from observation decks. I have been to Kyoto in winter, and the quiet temple grounds are a big reason to visit at this time of year.

Eat winter food

January is the season for hot pot (nabe), oden, roasted sweet potatoes, crab in the Japan Sea region and strawberry desserts, which start appearing in shops around this time.

My favourite way to eat in Tokyo when it is cold is an izakaya evening in Shinjuku, around Kabukicho. You come in from the cold, order a drink and share small hot dishes, which is exactly what you want on a cold night.

What Flowers Can You See in Japan in January?

January is not a flower month for most of Japan, but there are a few exceptions:

• Okinawa cherry blossoms: the deep pink kanhizakura in Okinawa usually bloom from late January into February.
• Early plum blossoms: in warmer areas some ume trees start to flower in late January, with the main season in February.
• Camellias and narcissus: both flower in winter in gardens and on coastal hillsides.

Is Okinawa Worth Visiting in January?

Okinawa is a good escape from the cold if you want mild weather, early cherry blossoms and fewer tourists. It is not a beach holiday in the summer sense, though. The water is cool for most people and it can be windy and grey. Think of January in Okinawa as a time for castles, culture, food and walks rather than swimming.

What to Pack for Japan in January

• A warm, windproof winter jacket and layers you can take off indoors, where heating is often strong
• Gloves, a hat and a scarf, especially for Nagano, Hokkaido and the Japan Sea coast
• Shoes with good grip for icy pavements in snowy regions
• Lip balm and moisturiser, since the air is very dry
• Disposable heat packs (kairo), which you can also buy cheaply in any convenience store

Frequently Asked Questions

Is January a good time to visit Japan?

Yes. After the first days of the year, January is quiet in the cities, often sunny on the Pacific side and perfect for skiing, onsen and snow scenery. Just avoid relying on smaller shops being open from 31 December to 3 January.

Does it snow in Tokyo in January?

Snow in Tokyo is possible but rare and usually melts quickly. For reliable snow, head to Nagano, the Japan Alps, the Japan Sea coast or Hokkaido.

Is Japan expensive in January?

The New Year week is expensive and busy. After that, flights and city hotels are often cheaper than in spring or autumn. Ski resorts stay in high season and can be costly.

Is it a good time to visit Okinawa in January?

It is good for mild weather, early cherry blossoms and sightseeing, but the sea is too cool for most swimmers. Come for culture and food rather than beaches.

What flowers can I see in Japan in January?

Mainly Okinawa’s early cherry blossoms from late January, early plum blossoms in warmer areas, camellias and narcissus.

Are things closed in Japan on New Year’s Day?

Many small shops, restaurants and some museums close for a few days, but convenience stores, most department stores, big shrines and public transport keep running.

What should I wear in Japan in January?

Dress in layers with a warm coat, gloves and a hat. In snowy regions, bring waterproof shoes with good grip.

January rewards travellers who embrace the cold. Combine a few calm city days with snow and hot springs, and look at my guide to Japan’s weather seasons or Nagano itinerary to plan the rest of your trip.