Month guide · Tokyo · Japan
Tokyo in January
What January is really like in Tokyo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kakidai, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 10°C (50°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 10 hours of daylight. Cold, dry and sunny, with the clearest views of Mount Fuji; quiet once the New Year holidays end.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 10°C (50°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Sea temperature
- 15°C (59°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Tokyo: days average 10°C (50°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 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 06:50
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:51
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Sea
- 15°C (59°F)
Winter (December–February). Cold, dry and sunny, with illuminations, New Year traditions, plum blossom in February and clear views of Mount Fuji.
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
- Hatsumode New Year shrine visits, busiest at Meiji Jingu (1–3 January)
- January Grand Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan (usually mid-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 · Ueno
Tokyo National Museum
Start in the main Honkan building for an overview of Japanese art, then save the dimly lit Horyuji gallery for a quiet finish.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Experience · Toyosu
teamLab Planets
In this immersive digital-art museum you walk barefoot through rooms of knee-deep water, mirrored light installations and a garden of suspended orchids, with artworks that respond to your movement.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Art
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
Museum · Mitaka
Ghibli Museum
Walk to the museum through Inokashira Park from Kichijoji Station, about 15 minutes.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Art
- Rainy day
Religious site · Asakusa
Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo's oldest temple, founded according to tradition in 628, is approached through the Kaminarimon gate with its giant red lantern and along Nakamise-dori, a 250-metre street of snack and souvenir stalls.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- After dark
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 10°C, lows near 1°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 Tokyo?
A good-value shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, March–May and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Tokyo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Tokyo?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Cold, dry and sunny, with the clearest views of Mount Fuji; quiet once the New Year holidays end.
+How warm is Tokyo in January?
Average highs are around 10°C (50°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Tokyo in January?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.