01Weather
Tokyo weather in January
Afternoons in January average 10.3 °C (51 °F) and nights cool to 2.2 °C (36 °F). The month brings about 52 mm (2.0 in) of rain spread over roughly 4 days. Compared with December it is 2.0 °C cooler; February is 1.3 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 14 °C / 56 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 7 °C / 45 °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) | 5.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 13 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 19.5 °C / -4.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 06:50 | 16:38 | 9.8 h |
| 15 January | 06:50 | 16:50 | 10.0 h |
| 31 January | 06:41 | 17:07 | 10.4 h |
Daylight grows by about 36 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Tokyo).
03Crowds
How busy Tokyo is in January
moderate The main sights are moderate in January. What drives it:
- New Year holidays (Oshogatsu) 1–3 January close many businesses
- shrine visits
- winter sales
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 Tokyo in January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Hatsumode New Year shrine visits | 1–3 January, Meiji Jingu and Senso-ji | tradition |
07Packing
What to pack for Tokyo in January
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- gloves: frost on about 5 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January starts with the New Year holidays, when many shops and restaurants close from the 1st to the 3rd and millions queue at Meiji Jingu and Senso-ji for hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. The rest of the month is cold, dry and brilliantly clear, with afternoons around 10 °C and Mount Fuji visible from the Tokyo Skytree and the Shibuya Sky deck more often than at any other time. Winter sales start on 2 January with the lucky-bag fukubukuro queues outside department stores.
Coming of Age Day on the second Monday brings young adults in kimono to the shrines. Frost is frequent but snow falls on only a day or two in a typical year. Hotel prices are at their lowest outside the first week. Most museums close on Mondays and for the New Year period. The Tsukiji outer market is busy in the first week; the Toyosu tuna auctions resume around 5 January. February is colder still but brings plum blossom; see February.
09Compare
Tokyo month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10 °C | 2 °C | 4 | – | moderate | Good |
| February | 12 °C | 3 °C | 7 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 16 °C | 7 °C | 9 | – | busy | Mixed |
| April | 20 °C | 11 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Good |
| May | 24 °C | 16 °C | 9 | – | busy | Good |
| June | 27 °C | 20 °C | 12 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| July | 31 °C | 24 °C | 12 | – | busy | Mixed |
| August | 32 °C | 25 °C | 8 | – | busy | Good |
| September | 28 °C | 22 °C | 12 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| October | 22 °C | 16 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| November | 17 °C | 10 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| December | 12 °C | 4 °C | 6 | – | busy | Good |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit Tokyo.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto in January | 10 °C | 6 |
| 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
Tokyo in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Tokyo?
January is a good month to visit Tokyo. Daytime highs average 10 °C (51 °F), rain falls on about 4 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Tokyo in January?
Expect cool days around 10 °C (51 °F) and nights near 2 °C (36 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 14 °C, and one in ten stays below 7 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Tokyo in January?
January brings about 52 mm (2.0 in) of rain over roughly 4 days, which is dry by Tokyo standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 13 percent.
What should I wear in Tokyo in January?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Tokyo crowded in January?
The main sights are moderate in January. Main drivers: New Year holidays (Oshogatsu) 1–3 January close many businesses; shrine visits; winter sales.
What time does it get dark in Tokyo in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 16:50 and rises at 06:50, giving 10.0 hours of daylight.