Month guide · Jeju · South Korea
Jeju in January
What January is really like in Jeju: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Grapesurgeon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 9°C (48°F), lows of 3°C (37°F), about 15 rainy days and roughly 10.2 hours of daylight. Cold, windy and often grey on the north coast, with snow on Hallasan; Seogwipo is noticeably milder. Camellias bloom in gardens, and hotel prices are low outside New Year.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 9°C (48°F) / 3°C (37°F)
- Rainy days
- About 15
- Daylight
- About 10.2 hours
- Sea temperature
- 15°C (59°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Jeju: days average 9°C (48°F) against a yearly average high of 19°C (66°F), and nights fall to about 3°C (37°F). Rain falls on roughly 15 of its 31 days. Compared with December (11°C (52°F)), January is cooler; by February highs stay near 10°C (50°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:38
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:48
- Daylight
- About 10.2 hours
- Sea
- 15°C (59°F)
Winter (December–February). Cool, windy and damp on the coast with snow on Hallasan; camellias, tangerines and low hotel prices, but grey days are common.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Seongsan Sunrise Festival — New Year sunrise celebrations at Seongsan Ilchulbong (around 31 December–1 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.
Nature · Gujwa
Manjanggul Lava Tube
Sections have closed for safety works in recent years, so check the official Jeju sites before driving out; bring a light jacket and grippy shoes for the wet floor.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Rainy day
- Kids
Market · Jeju City Old Town
Jeju Dongmun Traditional Market
Jeju City's main traditional market sells hairtail, abalone, hallabong and dried seafood under covered lanes, and its night market section fills with stalls selling black-pork skewers, grilled abalone and tangerine drinks.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Museum · Jocheon
Jeju Stone Park
Start in the indoor museum to understand the island's geology, then walk the outdoor circuit, which takes about an hour.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Outdoors
Museum · Hamdeok and Gujwa
Haenyeo Museum
In the diving village of Hado-ri, this museum tells the story of Jeju's women free-divers through their cotton diving clothes, tools, boats and recorded songs.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 9°C, lows near 3°C and 15 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Jeju?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Jeju in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Jeju?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold, windy and often grey on the north coast, with snow on Hallasan; Seogwipo is noticeably milder. Camellias bloom in gardens, and hotel prices are low outside New Year.
+How warm is Jeju in January?
Average highs are around 9°C (48°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Jeju in January?
Expect rain on about 15 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.