Month guide · Hiroshima · Japan
Hiroshima in January
What January is really like in Hiroshima: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Fg2 assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain
Quick answer
January is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 10°C (50°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 10.1 hours of daylight. Cold but often sunny and dry; oysters are in season and sights are quiet after the New Year holiday.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 10°C (50°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 10.1 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Hiroshima: days average 10°C (50°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with December (12°C (54°F)), January is cooler; by February highs stay near 11°C (52°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:16
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:22
- Daylight
- About 10.1 hours
Winter (December–February). Cool, dry and quiet, with illuminations and the peak of oyster season.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in April). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Hatsumode New Year shrine visits at Itsukushima Shrine (1–3 January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Peace Park and Hondori
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Go at opening or in the late afternoon; school groups pack the galleries from mid-morning, especially in spring and autumn.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Experience · Peace Park and Hondori
Okonomimura
A building near Hondori with floors of small okonomiyaki stalls, each with a hot griddle counter where cooks layer batter, cabbage, noodles, pork and egg in front of you.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- After dark
Street · Peace Park and Hondori
Hondori Shopping Arcade
Use it as a covered route between the Peace Park and Hatchobori on rainy days.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Rainy day
Gallery · Hakushima and the castle
Hiroshima Museum of Art
A domed museum near the castle with a strong collection of French Impressionist and post-Impressionist painting — including works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Picasso — alongside modern Japanese oil painting.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 10°C, lows near 2°C and 6 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Hiroshima?
A good-value shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, March–May and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Hiroshima in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Hiroshima?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Cold but often sunny and dry; oysters are in season and sights are quiet after the New Year holiday.
+How warm is Hiroshima in January?
Average highs are around 10°C (50°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Hiroshima in January?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.