Tokyo in January
In January, Tokyo averages 10°C (50°F) during the day and 1°C (34°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (52 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.
January in Tokyo 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 Tokyo
January is one of the coolest months in Tokyo (11th of 12) and one of the driest months (11th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 10°C below the annual average (20°C). January runs 2°C cooler than December (12°C) and stays flat into February.
January sunrise & sunset in Tokyo
Times shown for Tokyo 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 Tokyo — January
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Tokyo's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — Tokyo 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 Tokyo's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — January in Tokyo
Tokyo 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 Tokyo
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.
Tokyo in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°C / 50°F | 1°C / 34°F | 52 mm | 5 | 1 |
| February | 10°C / 50°F | 2°C / 36°F | 56 mm | 6 | 1 |
| March | 14°C / 57°F | 5°C / 41°F | 118 mm | 10 | 0 |
| April | 19°C / 66°F | 10°C / 50°F | 125 mm | 10 | 0 |
| May | 23°C / 73°F | 15°C / 59°F | 138 mm | 10 | 0 |
| June | 26°C / 79°F | 18°C / 64°F | 168 mm | 12 | 0 |
| July | 30°C / 86°F | 22°C / 72°F | 154 mm | 11 | 0 |
| August | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 168 mm | 9 | 0 |
| September | 27°C / 81°F | 20°C / 68°F | 210 mm | 12 | 0 |
| October | 22°C / 72°F | 14°C / 57°F | 198 mm | 11 | 0 |
| November | 17°C / 63°F | 8°C / 46°F | 93 mm | 7 | 0 |
| December | 12°C / 54°F | 3°C / 37°F | 51 mm | 5 | 0 |
Other cities with similar January weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Tokyo in January →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Tokyo in January?
In January, Tokyo averages a high of 10°C (50°F) and a low of 1°C (34°F) — generally cool.
Does it rain a lot in Tokyo in January?
January sees occasional rain in Tokyo, with about 5 rainy days on average and roughly 1 snow days.
Is January a good time to visit Tokyo?
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 Tokyo in January?
Pack a warm jacket and layers. See the full January packing list for Tokyo for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.