Tokyo January weather
Tokyo, Japan · January
Bright, dry winter with chilly wind that feels colder than the numbers
January in Tokyo is known for clear, dry winter days. Rain or snow is relatively rare, and many days have sharp blue skies with cold air.
Morning and night temperatures hover around 1-3°C, and afternoons reach about 8-10°C. It is slightly milder than winter in Seoul, but wind and dryness can make it feel almost as cold, so moisturizing and wind protection matter.
January averages at a glance
Average low
around 1-2°C
Average high
around 9-10°C
Average rainfall
around 50 mm
Rainy/snowy days
about 4-6 days
What to wear in January in Tokyo
Actual feel will change with wind and rain, but use the suggestions below to build a comfortable layered outfit.
- • Think “full winter setup”: thermal inner + knit + thick wool coat or padded jacket works best.
- • If you plan to walk 15,000-20,000 steps a day, hip-length or mid-length padded jackets are easier to move in than very long heavy coats.
- • Because dry air makes it feel colder, pieces that cover the neck such as scarves, neck warmers, or hoodies help a lot.
Travel tips for visiting Tokyo in January
- • Areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Harajuku can feel colder due to wind between tall buildings, so dress one notch warmer for night views there.
- • January is big sale season, so you may warm up indoors, sweat, then cool down again; easy on/off outer layers help with this cycle.
- • Dry air can quickly irritate your throat, so throat lozenges and a small water bottle are more useful than you might expect.
January weather in Tokyo — FAQ
Q. Will I see snow in Tokyo in January?
A. Central Tokyo does get snow occasionally, but it rarely piles up and often melts quickly. For guaranteed snow scenery, plan side trips to places like Hakone, Niigata, or Nagano.
Q. Is a coat enough, or do I need a padded jacket?
A. If you stay mostly in the city and avoid very windy spots, a thick wool coat with good layering is fine. If you plan to spend a long time near rivers, towers, or rooftop viewpoints, a padded jacket feels much more comfortable.
Q. How should I prepare for rainy days?
A. January is not very rainy, but when it does rain it can feel much colder than the actual temperature. Umbrellas are easy to buy at convenience stores, so focus more on waterproof shoes and spare socks.
Authored by Jiheon Bang
Updated: 2025-12-01
Reviewed using Visual Crossing Weather data and reorganized from a traveler’s perspective.
Weather data is designed to be refreshed roughly every 10 minutes.