Month guide · Nara · Japan
Nara in January
What January is really like in Nara: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
January is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 9°C (48°F), lows of 0°C (32°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 10.1 hours of daylight. Cold, dry and quiet apart from New Year visits to shrines; frosty mornings in the park.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 9°C (48°F) / 0°C (32°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 10.1 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Nara: days average 9°C (48°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 0°C (32°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 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 07:03
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:08
- Daylight
- About 10.1 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold, dry and the quietest season, with Wakakusa Yamayaki in January and lantern festivals in February.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in April). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Wakakusa Yamayaki — burning of Mount Wakakusa with fireworks (usually the fourth Saturday of 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 · Nara Park
Nara National Museum
Visit the permanent Buddhist sculpture galleries in the old building, a good stop on a rainy afternoon.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Religious site · Nara Park
Todai-ji and the Great Buddha
Founded in the 8th century as the head of Japan's provincial temples, Todai-ji's Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) holds a seated bronze Buddha about 15 m tall.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
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Park · Nara Park
Nara Park and its deer
Feed crackers one at a time and show empty hands when you are done; deer can nip or butt when they see food, especially in autumn rutting season.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Religious site · Nara Park
Kasuga Taisha
Founded in 768 for the guardian deities of the Fujiwara clan, this vermilion shrine sits at the foot of the sacred Mount Kasuga.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 9°C, lows near 0°C and 5 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 Nara?
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.
Nara in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Nara?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Cold, dry and quiet apart from New Year visits to shrines; frosty mornings in the park.
+How warm is Nara in January?
Average highs are around 9°C (48°F) and lows around 0°C (32°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Nara in January?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.