January is one of the most underrated months to visit Japan. Once the New Year holidays are over, the crowds thin out, the skies over Tokyo are often clear and blue, and the north of the country is covered in deep, dry snow. It is the month for hot springs, ski slopes, winter festivals and steaming bowls of noodles, and it is also when you can see Mount Fuji most clearly from Tokyo.
This guide covers what Japan is like in January 2027: the weather in each region, the holidays and events, where to go and how to pack.
1. January Weather in Japan
Japan is long and narrow, so January weather varies enormously. The Pacific side, including Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, is cold but mostly dry and sunny. The Sea of Japan side and Hokkaido get heavy snow. Okinawa stays mild.
| City | Average high | Average low | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | -0.4°C | -6.4°C | Snow on the ground all month |
| Nagano | 3.8°C | -3.9°C | Cold, snowy mountains nearby |
| Tokyo | 9.8°C | 1.2°C | Dry, sunny, cold mornings |
| Kyoto | 9.1°C | 1.5°C | Chilly, occasional light snow |
| Osaka | 9.7°C | 3.0°C | Cool and mostly dry |
| Fukuoka | 10.2°C | 3.9°C | Mild for winter |
| Naha (Okinawa) | 19.8°C | 14.9°C | Spring-like, too cool for most swimmers |
Figures are Japan Meteorological Agency normals for 1991–2020.
2. Holidays in January 2027
New Year's Day is a public holiday, and many businesses close until January 3. See what is open over New Year.
Held on the second Monday of January. Young adults attend ceremonies in suits and colourful furisode kimono.
Although the legal age of adulthood in Japan was lowered from 20 to 18 in 2022, most cities still hold their Coming of Age ceremonies for people turning 20. On January 10 and 11 you may see groups of young women in long-sleeved kimono at shrines and in city centres. The Monday holiday makes it a three-day weekend, so hotels in popular areas can be busier than usual.
3. Events and Festivals in January
Hatsumode: the first shrine visit (January 1–7)
Throughout the first week, and especially from January 1 to 3, people visit shrines and temples to pray for the year ahead. Famous sites such as Meiji Jingu in Tokyo and Fushimi Inari in Kyoto draw enormous crowds. After January 4 they are much calmer. See our hatsumode guide.
Grand Sumo January Tournament (January 10–24, 2027)
The year's first professional sumo tournament takes place at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo for 15 days. According to the Japan Sumo Association, tickets go on sale on December 5, 2026. Good seats sell quickly, especially at weekends.
New Year sales (from January 2)
Department stores and fashion chains open the year with sales and fukubukuro (福袋), sealed "lucky bags" of mystery goods sold at a discount.
Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival (January 15)
In the ski village of Nozawa Onsen in Nagano, the Dosojin Matsuri is one of Japan's most dramatic fire festivals: villagers with burning torches try to set fire to a large wooden shrine tower, while men of the village defend it, until the whole structure is finally set ablaze.
Wakakusa Yamayaki (fourth Saturday of January)
In Nara, the grass on Mount Wakakusa is set alight after a fireworks display. The event is held on the fourth Saturday of January, which in 2027 falls on January 23. It can be postponed in bad weather, so check the official announcement.
4. Where to Go in January
Hokkaido and Nagano have world-famous powder snow. January is peak season. See our Japan ski season guide.
Wild macaques bathe in a hot spring at Jigokudani in Nagano. January and February are the best months to see them in the snow.
An outdoor bath in falling snow is a classic Japanese winter experience. See our onsen guide.
- Tokyo and Kyoto after January 4: Temples, gardens and museums are quieter than at almost any other time of year.
- Tokyo's winter illuminations: Several of the city's light displays continue into January or February. See our illuminations guide.
- Okinawa: Mild weather, and the earliest cherry blossoms in Japan, which can open from late January.
- Atami and the Izu Peninsula: In this warm coastal area, early plum blossoms can open in January.
5. Pros and Cons of Visiting in January
Fewer crowds after the first week, clear skies on the Pacific side, great views of Mount Fuji, snow and skiing in the north, hot springs and winter food.
Closures and high prices from January 1 to 3, short days with sunset around 4:40 to 5:00 p.m. in Tokyo, cold mornings and possible snow delays in the north.
Heavy snow can delay or cancel flights, trains and buses in Hokkaido and on the Sea of Japan side. Leave some flexibility in your plans, and avoid booking a tight connection on the day of your international flight home.
6. What to Eat in January
Winter is the season for hearty, warming food. Try nabe (鍋) hot pots, oden (おでん) from a convenience store or food stall, and rich miso or tonkotsu ramen. On the Sea of Japan coast, winter is crab season, and in Hokkaido you can warm up with soup curry and fresh seafood. See our oden guide and ramen guide.
7. What to Pack
- Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka: A warm coat, layers, a scarf and gloves. Buildings and trains are heated, so layers you can remove work best.
- Hokkaido and the mountains: A down jacket, thermal underwear, a hat, waterproof boots with good grip.
- Everywhere: Lip balm and moisturiser, because the air is very dry.
For a full list, see our guide to what to wear in Japan in winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only occasionally. Tokyo can have a light snowfall in January or February, but most days are dry and sunny.
After the New Year holidays, mid to late January is one of the quieter periods for city hotels. Ski resorts and hot spring towns, however, are in high season.
Not in Tokyo or Kyoto. Okinawa's early-blooming cherry trees can flower from late January, but mainland cherry blossom season is late March to April.
No. In 2027 it runs from February 4 to 11. See our Sapporo Snow Festival guide.
Conclusion
January rewards travellers who come prepared. Avoid the first three days if you want everything open, pack proper layers, and choose between the crisp, sunny cities of the Pacific coast and the snowy landscapes of the north, or combine both. With sumo in Tokyo, fire festivals in Nagano and Nara, and onsen steam rising into the cold air, it is a month with a character of its own. Coming earlier? Read Japan in December.
Sources
- Japan Meteorological Agency — Climate normals 1991–2020: https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/
- Cabinet Office, Government of Japan — National holidays: https://www8.cao.go.jp/chosei/shukujitsu/gaiyou.html
- Japan Sumo Association — Tournament schedule (Japanese): https://www.sumo.or.jp/Admission/schedule/
- Ministry of Justice — Lowering of the age of adulthood: https://www.moj.go.jp/MINJI/minji07_00218.html
- Nozawa Onsen Tourism Association — Dosojin Festival: https://nozawakanko.jp/event/the-nozawa-onsen-dosojin-festival/
- Nara Visitor Bureau: https://www.visitnara.jp/