01Weather
Kyoto weather in January
Afternoons in January average 9.6 °C (49 °F) and nights cool to 2.2 °C (36 °F). The month brings about 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain spread over roughly 6 days. Compared with December it is 2.3 °C cooler; February is 1.1 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 13 °C / 55 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 6 °C / 43 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -1 °C / 31 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 5.9 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 20 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 16.8 °C / -4.1 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 07:04 | 16:55 | 9.9 h |
| 15 January | 07:04 | 17:08 | 10.1 h |
| 31 January | 06:56 | 17:24 | 10.5 h |
Daylight grows by about 36 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Tokyo).
03Crowds
How busy Kyoto is in January
quiet The main sights are quiet in January. What drives it:
- New Year shrine visits 1–3 January
- cold, occasionally snowy
- winter illuminations end
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| 11 Jan 2027 | Coming of Age Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Kyoto in January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Hatsumode | 1–3 January, Fushimi Inari and Yasaka Shrine | tradition |
07Packing
What to pack for Kyoto in January
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- gloves: frost on about 6 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is cold, with afternoons around 9 °C and the chance of snow dusting Kinkakuji's golden roof on a few mornings, and the first three days bring millions to Fushimi Inari and Yasaka Shrine for hatsumode. After that the city is at its quietest and cheapest, and the gardens are empty. Many restaurants close for the New Year period until around 4 January. Rain or snow falls on about six days.
The Toka Ebisu festival at Ebisu Shrine from 8 to 12 January brings crowds buying lucky bamboo. Coming of Age Day on the second Monday fills the shrines with kimono. The Nishiki market is quiet on weekdays. Daylight runs from about seven to five. For the coldest month with plum blossom and the best value of the year, see February.
09Compare
Kyoto month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10 °C | 2 °C | 6 | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 11 °C | 2 °C | 8 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 16 °C | 6 °C | 9 | – | busy | Mixed |
| April | 21 °C | 10 °C | 9 | – | very busy | Good |
| May | 25 °C | 15 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 29 °C | 20 °C | 11 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| July | 33 °C | 25 °C | 13 | – | busy | Mixed |
| August | 34 °C | 26 °C | 8 | – | busy | Good |
| September | 30 °C | 23 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
| October | 24 °C | 16 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 18 °C | 10 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Good |
| December | 12 °C | 4 °C | 7 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit Kyoto.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo in January | 10 °C | 4 |
| Seoul in January | 3 °C | – |
| Shanghai in January | 10 °C | 11 |
| Beijing in January | 4 °C | 0 |
| Bangkok in January | 33 °C | – |
| Singapore in January | 30 °C | 11 |
11FAQ
Kyoto in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Kyoto?
January is a good month to visit Kyoto. Daytime highs average 10 °C (49 °F), rain falls on about 6 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are quiet.
What is the weather like in Kyoto in January?
Expect cold days around 10 °C (49 °F) and nights near 2 °C (36 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 13 °C, and one in ten stays below 6 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in January?
January brings about 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain over roughly 6 days, which is fairly dry by Kyoto standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 20 percent.
What should I wear in Kyoto in January?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Kyoto crowded in January?
The main sights are quiet in January. Main drivers: New Year shrine visits 1–3 January; cold, occasionally snowy; winter illuminations end.
What time does it get dark in Kyoto in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 17:08 and rises at 07:04, giving 10.1 hours of daylight.