Normal weather for Japan in January
It's cold in January in Japan with an average temperature of 6°C. Temperatures this month range from a low of 5°C to a high of 8°C. At night, you can expect temperatures between -4°C and -1°C.
In January, there is an average of 45 mm of precipitation, spread over 7 days. Of the total precipitation, about 19 cm falls as snow in January. The wind speed is around 3 Bft, mostly coming from the West.
Japan in January |
UK | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 Average Temperature |
6°C | 8°C | |
 High Temp |
8°C | 9°C | |
| Low Temp |
5°C | 6°C | |
 Total Precipitation |
45 mm | 58 mm | |
| Rainy Days |
7 days | 9 days | |
 Total Snowfall |
19 cm | 0,8 cm | |
| Snowy Days |
10 days | 1 day | |
Start of January
The month of January starts in Japan with cold temperatures, averaging around 7°C during the day and nights close to -1°C. There’s little chance of precipitation. The weather is mostly sunny and dry.
Since temperatures can differ between day and night, it’s a good idea to dress in layers. During the day, wear a thick coat, jumper, and long trousers. For the evening and morning, we recommend a thick winter coat, jumper, long trousers, hat, and gloves.
Mid-January
By mid-January, the average daytime temperature drops to around 6°C, with nights close to -1°C. Not much precipitation expected during this period. It’s mostly dry with sunshine.
Temperatures vary between day and night, so it’s smart to wear layers. During the day, wear a thick coat, jumper, and long trousers. For the evening and morning, we recommend a thick winter coat, jumper, long trousers, hat, and gloves.
End of January
By the end of January, the average daytime temperature in Japan will be around 6°C, with nights close to -2°C. A shower might show up, but overall the weather will be dry and sunny.
As it gets cooler in the evening, it’s best to wear layers. During the day, wear a thick coat, jumper, and long trousers. For the evening and morning, we recommend a thick winter coat, jumper, long trousers, hat, and gloves.
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UV index
The UV index is a maximum of 5 this month. That's a moderate value on the intensity scale of 1 to 11. Unprotected skin can burn in about 30 minutes.
Temperature records for Japan in January
With 18°C, Japan hit the highest temperature in the last 10 years in January 2020. The lowest daytime temperature in this month was -5°C in 2023. The extreme night temperatures ranged from a low of -12°C to a high of 8°C.
Check out the climate of Japan for all months and discover the best travel time
The climate of Japan is based on weather data from Tokyo. Other spots, like Kyōto, Osaka or Hokkaido, might have different weather. You can check out all destinations in Japan for a full picture of the climate.
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Daily Temperature in January in Japan
This chart shows the average daily temperatures, both day and night, for each day in January in Japan, measured in degrees Celsius. The red line represents the maximum temperatures, while the blue line shows the minimums. The days of the month are displayed at the bottom of the chart. The data, based on historical observations, gives an overview of the average daily temperatures during this month.
Daily Precipitation in January in Japan
The chart below shows the average daily precipitation in January for Japan, measured in millimetres over the past years. Precipitation is always measured as water, even if it’s snow or hail. The days of the month are shown at the bottom of the chart.
A low average precipitation means that the chance of rain on that day is usually small, while a higher average suggests that rain is more likely. But it’s still an average, so each day can be different. Based on historical weather data for January, you can expect around 7 days of rain in Japan.
Daily Snowfall in January in Japan
This chart shows the average daily snowfall in January in Japan, measured in centimetres. The bottom of the chart shows the days of the month. The data is based on historical measurements and gives an idea of the average snowfall in January.
Daily UV Index in January in Japan
This chart shows the average daily UV index in January in Japan, with the UV index ranging from 0 to a maximum of 11. The bottom of the chart shows the days of the month. Based on historical data, this chart provides an idea of the daily UV radiation levels you can expect.
Temperature in January in Japan Over the Years
This chart shows the average temperature in January in Japan, measured in degrees Celsius, over the past years.
Total Precipitation in January in Japan Over the Years
This chart shows the average precipitation in January in Japan, measured in millimetres over the past years. Precipitation is always measured as water, even if it’s snow or hail.
Snowfall in January in Japan per year
This chart shows the average snowfall in January in Japan, measured in centimetres, over the past years.
Daily climate in January for Japan
Click on a specific day in January for detailed info on the typical weather on that day in Japan. Check out the historical temperatures and precipitation over the past 10 years on this day.
Weather experiences in January in Japan
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Average Weather in Japan by Month
Click on a month below to see detailed weather info for Japan. Based on historical weather data, you can see the average temperature, precipitation, wind, and UV index for each day of the month.
