Kyoto in January
In January, Kyoto averages 9°C (48°F) during the day and 1°C (34°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (55 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are cold — pack winter layers. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.
January in Kyoto is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).
How January compares to the rest of the year in Kyoto
January is one of the coolest months in Kyoto (12th of 12) and one of the driest months (10th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 12°C below the annual average (21°C). January runs 3°C cooler than December (12°C) and warms a further 1°C into February (10°C).
January sunrise & sunset in Kyoto
Times shown for Kyoto local time (Asia/Tokyo), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in Kyoto — January
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Kyoto's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — Kyoto in January
Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (Shoulder) and Kyoto's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — January in Kyoto
Kyoto is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.
Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather
Sun & mosquito risk — January in Kyoto
UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.
Kyoto in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C / 48°F | 1°C / 34°F | 55 mm | 5 | 0 |
| February | 10°C / 50°F | 2°C / 36°F | 75 mm | 5 | 0 |
| March | 14°C / 57°F | 5°C / 41°F | 115 mm | 8 | 0 |
| April | 20°C / 68°F | 10°C / 50°F | 135 mm | 9 | 0 |
| May | 25°C / 77°F | 15°C / 59°F | 140 mm | 9 | 0 |
| June | 28°C / 82°F | 20°C / 68°F | 180 mm | 11 | 0 |
| July | 32°C / 90°F | 24°C / 75°F | 160 mm | 9 | 0 |
| August | 33°C / 91°F | 25°C / 77°F | 115 mm | 7 | 0 |
| September | 28°C / 82°F | 21°C / 70°F | 160 mm | 9 | 0 |
| October | 23°C / 73°F | 15°C / 59°F | 110 mm | 8 | 0 |
| November | 17°C / 63°F | 9°C / 48°F | 75 mm | 6 | 0 |
| December | 12°C / 54°F | 4°C / 39°F | 55 mm | 5 | 0 |
Other cities with similar January weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Kyoto in January →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Kyoto in January?
In January, Kyoto averages a high of 9°C (48°F) and a low of 1°C (34°F) — generally cool.
Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in January?
January sees occasional rain in Kyoto, with about 5 rainy days on average.
Is January a good time to visit Kyoto?
January is cool and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for Kyoto in January?
Pack a warm jacket and layers. See the full January packing list for Kyoto for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.