Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Tokyo in January
This is the coldest month in Tokyo: highs average 47°F (8°C) and lows 30°F (-1°C), with about 2.6 in (66 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 62/100, 8th of 12.
- Avg high
- 47°F (8°C)
- Avg low
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 2.6 in (66 mm)
- Humidity
- 77%
- Cloud cover
- 48%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 50 min
- Comfort score
- 62/100 · Good
What January feels like
Afternoons only reach about 47°F (8°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 30°F (-1°C), so expect frost and ice.
Some rain is likely, about 2.6 in (66 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around January
January sits mid-table; the best months are April and November.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 30°F.
- Comfort slips from 70/100 in December to 62/100.
- Our Japan Golden Route recommends Mar – May, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 47°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 30°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 2.6 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Tokyo in January
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Meiji Jingu
Forested Shinto shrine to Emperor Meiji, steps from Harajuku station.
Why now January scores 62/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Omoide Yokocho
Smoky postwar alley of tiny yakitori stalls by Shinjuku station.
Why now Highs near 47°F and 2.6 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Shibuya Sky
Open-air rooftop deck 230 m up Shibuya Scramble Square with 360-degree views.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
teamLab Planets TOKYO
Walk-through digital art installations, some knee-deep in water.
Shinjuku Golden Gai
Six narrow lanes packed with 200+ tiny bars, each seating a handful.
Nearby in January
- Kyoto in January~224 mi · highs 44°F, 3.8 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Osaka in January~244 mi · highs 46°F, 2.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~233 m to Tokyo's ~40 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Tokyo in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Tokyo?
It's middling, scoring 62/100. The best months are April and November, at up to 80. Expect highs of 47°F (8°C) and 2.6 in (66 mm) of rain. Our Japan Golden Route recommends Mar – May, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Tokyo in January?
Average highs are 47°F (8°C) and average lows 30°F (-1°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Tokyo in January?
Some: about 2.6 in (66 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the driest month of the year. The annual total is about 64.5 in (1638 mm).
What should I pack for Tokyo in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 47°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 30°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 2.6 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Tokyo in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.