Japan in January
The country shuts for the first three days and then becomes as quiet as it ever gets, with clear skies in Tokyo and a superb snow season up north.
Is January a good time to visit Japan?
January is one of the better months across Japan, with crowds averaging 46/100 and typical highs near 10°C.
What closes and what fills up in January
- Shogatsu, the New Year holiday, 1–3 January
- Coming of Age Day, second Monday
Japan city by city in January
The same month can feel very different depending where you are.
How January compares across the year
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Frequently asked questions
Is January a good month to visit Japan?
January is one of the better months across Japan, with crowds averaging 46/100 and typical highs near 10°C.
How busy is Japan in January?
Averaged across the destinations we track, Japan sits near 46/100 in January. The calmest of them is Kyoto.
What is the weather like in Japan in January?
Expect average highs near 10°C and lows near 2°C, with roughly 7 wet days — though Japan varies by region.