Do you want to travel to Japan in January? We have collected all the relevant information you need before visiting this time of year, including tips about weather, seasonal events and overall costs.
Japan offers unique experiences in every season, and January is no exception. The beginning of the year is a wonderful time to immerse yourself in traditional culture and winter sports – whether it’s visiting shrines and temples, enjoying the snowy landscapes on a skiing or snowboarding trip, or relaxing in a hot spring resort on a chilly day.
With New Year’s celebrations in full swing, January is also a month the Japanese typically spend with their families. It’s a time for reflection and contemplation on the past year and the year ahead, enjoying traditional winter comfort foods, and seeking warmth from the cold weather.
In this article, we’ll cover the pros and cons of visiting Japan in January, and everything else you should know before your trip. Let’s dive right in!
On This Page
Japan offers unique experiences in every season, and January is no exception. The beginning of the year is a wonderful time to immerse yourself in traditional culture and winter sports – whether it’s visiting shrines and temples, enjoying the snowy landscapes on a skiing or snowboarding trip, or relaxing in a hot spring resort on a chilly day.
With New Year’s celebrations in full swing, January is also a month the Japanese typically spend with their families. It’s a time for reflection and contemplation on the past year and the year ahead, enjoying traditional winter comfort foods, and seeking warmth from the cold weather.
In this article, we’ll cover the pros and cons of visiting Japan in January, and everything else you should know before your trip. Let’s dive right in!
On This Page
- Is January a Good Time to Visit Japan?
- Weather in Japan in January
- What to Wear in Japan in January?
- Is Japan Crowded in January?
- Costs of Travelling to Japan in January
- Best Things to Do in Japan in January
- Festivals and Events in Japan in January 2025
- Conclusion – Visiting Japan in January
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Shirakawa-gō
Is January a Good Time to Visit Japan?
As January is one of the coldest months in Japan, inbound tourism is at a lower level than during peak travel months like April or November. While sightseeing in cities like Tokyo might be less comfortable due to the chilly temperatures, it’s definitely possible thanks to clear skies, sunshine and little precipitation (see below for more).
Moreover, Japan’s abundant snowy and mountainous landscapes, especially in Hokkaidō and the Japanese Alps, make it an ideal destination for winter sports enthusiasts. With the skiing and snowboarding season nearing its peak in January, popular holiday resorts like Niseko and Hakuba welcome visitors from all across the world.
Aside, the New Year’s celebrations spur a huge domestic travel wave in Japan each year until the first week of January.
New Year’s Celebrations in Japan
New Year’s (お正月, oshōgatsu) is the most important holiday for families in Japan. Many attractions such as museums, as well as some restaurants and shops remain completely closed between late December to early January.
Shinkansen trains and domestic flights tend to be fully booked, as many Japanese buy their tickets well in advance for family visits. Famous shrines and temples are also extremely crowded, as plenty of people visit to offer their New Year’s prayers and wishes.
Therefore, early January might not be the best time to visit Japan as an international traveller (more on this below).
Weather in Japan in January
As one of the coldest months in Japan, January means dry, chilly weather. Humidity in winter averages around 50%, but can drop below that mark in some places. In Tokyo, the change in humidity usually becomes evident starting from around mid-November, with January being the driest month of the year.
On Japan’s biggest main island Honshū (including Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto) daily temperatures are usually around 5-6°C. However, just like in other seasons, the weather in January varies greatly from north to south.
Hokkaidō, famous for its snowy winters, is much colder than Honshū, with temperatures typically below zero. In contrast, Okinawa enjoys a milder winter with around 17°C. Below, you can find an overview of the average daily temperatures for Japan in January:
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (averages between 1991–2020)Mean temperature Max. temperature Min. temperature Sapporo, Hokkaidō -3.2°C -0.4°C -6.4°C Tokyo 5.4°C 9.8°C 1.2°C Osaka 6.2°C 9.7°C 3.0°C Fukuoka, Kyūshū 6.9°C 10.2°C 3.9°C Naha, Okinawa 17.3°C 19.8°C 14.9°C
On Honshū, the probability of rain per day in January is around 30% (or 10 days a month). Snow in big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto is rare (only a few days each winter). Most days are clear but cold.
If you want to see lots of snow, you’ll typically need to visit Hokkaidō (including Sapporo, Furano, and Niseko), Nagano Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture in the Japanese Alps, or places like Yamagata Prefecture in the Tōhoku region.
Below, you can find the average sunshine hours and rain for Japan in January:
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (averages between 1991–2020)Sunshine hours Rain (in mm) Sapporo, Hokkaidō 90.4 108.4 Tokyo 192.6 59.7 Osaka 146.5 47.0 Fukuoka, Kyūshū 104.1 74.4 Naha, Okinawa 93.1 101.6
What to Wear in Japan in January?
When visiting Japan during a cold month like January, you should bring lots of warm clothes.
Pack items like sweaters, cardigans, hoodies, and long pants. A warm jacket or coat is also essential. Don’t forget comfortable sneakers and/or warm waterproof winter boots, as well as gloves, a scarf, and a hat.
For snow-heavy regions like Hokkaidō, Nagano, or Niigata, you should bring some extra-warm pieces, and ideally some HeatTech clothing (leggings, tops). Shops and cafés in larger cities are usually well-heated. If you plan to switch a lot between indoor and outdoor activities, layering is recommended. This way, you can easily remove clothing if needed.
If your clothes turn out to be too thin, kairo (カイロ), small, disposable heating pads that you can attach to your jacket, shoes or pockets, will help you stay warm. In winter, these are usually available in drugstores, convenience stores, and various other shops throughout Japan.
Is Japan Crowded in January?
Many Japanese travel to visit their families during the New Year holidays between late December and early January. Domestic travel reaches a high around this time.
This results in Shinkansen trains and domestic flights being fully booked. Religious sites are exceptionally crowded on New Year’s Day and the following days for hatsumōde (初詣), the first shrine or temple visit of the year. Many museums, restaurants, and other attractions remain closed.
For these reasons, it may be better to avoid coming to Japan between late December and early January as a traveller, unless you intend to experience these celebrations.
Additionally, ski resorts like Niseko and Hakuba get lots of visitors throughout January, so be prepared for bigger crowds there. Aside from that, January is generally considered low-season in terms of inbound tourism. Compared to the high seasons from March to May and October to November, many attractions are less swamped with travellers.
Costs of Travelling to Japan in January
As explained before, early January is high season for Japanese travellers. Trains and domestic flights are often fully booked between the last week of December and the first week of January. Those booking flights to and from Japan during this time will often face higher costs. Hotel prices might also be increased.
By the second half of January, flight and accommodation prices typically drop and remain lower than in popular travel months like April, October, or November.
Costs of Skiing & Snowboarding in Japan
Every year between December to March, the winter sports season in Japan attracts both domestic and international travellers. During the peak season spanning from early January to mid-February, many hotels and guest houses in ski resorts tend to charge higher prices per night.
Accommodation prices in these resorts vary depending on the type of lodging you choose. For budget travellers, basic hotels and guesthouses typically range from ¥8,000 to ¥15,000 per night. Mid-range options cost around ¥15,000 to ¥30,000, while luxury hotels might charge up to ¥70,000 or more per night. These prices are just rough estimates.
If you’re interested in renting skiing or snowboarding gear, you can find further information on the official tourism websites of the two ski resorts Hakuba and Niseko. Websites of rental shops like Spicy Rentals in Hakuba can also give you an idea of the overall costs. Standard packages (skis, poles and boots), for example, start from ¥5,500 a day for adults.
Best Things to Do in Japan in January
January in Japan offers a variety of wonderful winter experiences, perfect for making the most of the cold season. Whether you’re savouring a warm winter dish indoors or enjoying the snowy landscapes in the mountains, there are plenty of things to do.
The beginning of the year starts on a rather quiet note with different unique New Year’s traditions to experience. Additionally, some of Japan’s famous winter illuminations extend from December into January and February, creating a magical atmosphere in cities across the country.
For those looking for outdoor adventures, Japan has some fantastic skiing and snowboarding spots to offer. Popular destinations in Hokkaidō and Nagano such as Niseko, Hakuba, and Nozawa Onsen attract visitors from around the world.
Here’s a summary of some of the best things to do in Japan in January:
- Visit a shrine or temple on New Year’s Day: Unlike in many countries around the world, New Year’s in Japan isn’t celebrated with big firework displays, but in a rather quiet manner. Many New Year’s rituals in Japan are connected to purification and renewal. In the first week of January, lots of people visit local shrines or temples to pray for good luck in the upcoming year. This custom is known as hatsumōde (初詣). If you happen to be in Japan on New Year’s Day or one of the following days, you can pray for good luck at a shrine or temple, too. Please be respectful and considerate during your visit, as this is an important national holiday in Japan.
- Wake up early for the first sunrise of the year: Hatsuhinode (初日の出), which translates to “first sunrise of the year,” is another beautiful New Year’s custom in Japan. Many people watch the first sunrise of the year from the sea, mountaintops, or observation decks across the country. Some attractions offer special events on this day to celebrate the first sunrise. For example, Tokyo Skytree holds a yearly pre-sale of around 800 limited “sunrise tickets”.
- Try Japanese winter dishes: It’s cold in January, so why not embrace Japan’s winter food culture and try some typical dishes to warm yourself up? Among the most popular winter dishes are nabe (a Japanese hot pot filled with all kinds of veggies and meat) or oden (another type of hot pot with fish cake), yaki-imo (baked sweet potatoes) and different hot noodle dishes, each offering comforting flavours perfect for the chilly season. Osechi ryōri, traditional New Year’s food, is an excellent choice when spending time in Japan in early January.
- Indulge yourself in lucky bag shopping: Every year in January, lucky bags, or fukubukuro (福袋) in Japanese, let the hearts of shopping lovers beat faster. These bags are sold around New Year’s in numerous shops, filled with a selection of randomly assorted products from various brands or franchises. You won’t know exactly what’s inside until you buy one. If you’re lucky, you might score a great deal.
- Enjoy Japan’s romantic winter illuminations: Although December is the peak season for winter illuminations in Japan, some of them last well into February. Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture, for example, sets up three different winter illuminations, each lasting around one to one and a half months. The New Year Illumination runs from January 1 to mid-February.
- Go skiing or snowboarding: While you will not experience much snow in cities like Tokyo, Japan has some great mountainous and snowy regions with well-known skiing and snowboarding spots. Niseko and Hakuba are among the most popular destinations for winter sports fans coming to Japan. If you want to avoid the crowds, there are plenty of lesser-known ski resorts to choose from.
- Relax in an onsen: Japan’s hot springs are well-visited all year round, though many would argue there is nothing better than relaxing in an outdoor onsen surrounded by a snowy landscape in winter. To have this experience, it’s best to travel to regions with lots of snow, such as Hokkaidō, the Japanese Alps, or Yamagata.
Festivals and Events in Japan in January 2025
January in Japan is celebrated with a huge variety of distinct festivals and traditions.
New Year’s Day in Japan
On New Year’s Day, families in Japan gather to welcome the start of the new year. Streets and homes are adorned with decorations like kadomatsu (pine and bamboo arrangements) or kagami mochi (stacked rice cakes) to invite good fortune.
New Year’s also includes a set of different customs:
Traditionally, people wish for health, prosperity, and happiness during hatsumōde, the first shrine or temple visit of the year. Famous religious sites like Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto or Meiji Shrine in Tokyo tend to get extremely crowded on January 1 and the following days.
Others like to ring in the new year with hatsuhinode, watching the first sunrise of the year. This tradition involves travelling to spots with a beautiful view, such as mountaintops, beaches, or observation decks to witness the sunrise in a calm and reflective atmosphere.
Another tradition is mochitsuki, the process of making mochi (or rice cakes) by pounding steamed glutinous rice with a wooden mallet in a mortar. Additionally, mochi is often enjoyed as part of osechi ryōri (traditional New Year’s food) like ozoni (mochi soup) during New Year’s.
Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi)
Though this is not a festival to attend as a traveller, you might still wonder why you’re encountering groups of young Japanese dressed in kimono and suits walking the streets of Japan in early January.
Coming of Age Day (成人の日, Seijin no Hi) is a national holiday celebrated every year on the second Monday of January. Young Japanese who have turned or will turn 20 during the current year celebrate their transition into adulthood on this day.
Lastly, here is a selection of public festivals and events that will take place in Japan in January 2025:
- NAKED’s Garden of Japanese Lights at Heian Shrine, Kyoto (13/12/2024-13/01/2025, excluding 31/12/2024-05/01/2025): The digital art exhibitions by NAKED have long become a staple in Japan’s yearly illumination calendar. Between December 2024 and January 2025, you can see the art collective’s newest display at Heian Shrine in Kyoto. During the event period, the entire complex will be transformed into a colourful world of light at night.
- Zao Juhyō Festival in Zao Onsen, Yamagata Prefecture (27/12/2024-24/02/2025): Between late December and late February, visitors to Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture can experience the otherworldly-looking scenery of frost-covered trees, known as “juhyō” (樹氷) in Japanese. The annual Zao Juhyō Festival features a nighttime illumination of the snow-enclosed landscape, a stamp rally, skiing & snowboarding activities and more.
- Tōka Ebisu Festival at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine in Osaka (09/01/2025-11/01/2025): The Tōka Ebisu Festival is an annual celebration dedicated to Ebisu, the god of fortune and prosperity. During this festival, people pray for good business in the upcoming year. The event features numerous stalls selling lucky charms and street food. While the main celebration takes place on the 10th day of the month (tōka, 十日), the entire event spans across three days, starting with a pre-festival (zenyasai, 前夜祭) and concluding with an after-festival (called “remaining luck” or nokorifuku, 残り福). There are similar festivals in places such as Tōka Ebisu Shrine in Fukuoka (08/01/2025–11/01/2025) and Kyoto Ebisu Shrine in Kyoto (08/01/2025–12/01/2025), making it a widely celebrated event to pray for good fortune for the new year.
- Wakakusa Yamayaki Festival in Nara (25/01/2025): The Wakakusa Yamayaki Festival takes place every year on the fourth Saturday of January in Nara. During this event, the grass on Mt. Wakakusa is set on fire. The mountain burning is visible across the city and is accompanied by a 15-minute-long fireworks display.
- Kobe Luminarie in Kobe (24/01/2025-02/02/2025): The Kobe Luminarie is an annual illumination event that commemorates the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, which struck Kobe and its surrounding areas in 1995. During this event, huge corridors of light are set up in different venues around Kobe Sannomiya. Originally held every year in December, the event was moved to January in 2024.
As always, it’s worth checking out the event calendars of your local destination within Japan. There are plenty more festivals to discover!
Conclusion – Visiting Japan in January
Overall, January is a good, though perhaps not ideal, month to visit Japan. Prepare yourself for dry and chilly days, and keep in mind that many museums and other attractions remain closed during the first week of January due to New Year’s celebrations.
Aside from that, January is an excellent month for a skiing or snowboarding trip, as well as for experiencing winter festivals and illuminations. Crowds are generally manageable, with only a few exceptions (such as shrines and temples in early January and popular ski resorts throughout the month).