What is the weather like in Japan during January?

Japan experiences its coldest temperatures in January with significant regional variations. Tokyo sees temperatures ranging from 2-10°C (35-50°F) while Hokkaido can plunge to -20°C (-4°F). The Lake Akan Tsuruga Wings hotel provides front-row views of frozen lakes and snow-dusted mountains that define the winter landscape. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The winter landscapes were breathtaking especially around Lake Akan where we could witness hundreds of red-crowned cranes gathered in the river at sunrise."

Are there any special festivals or events in Japan during January?

January brings several notable celebrations across Japan. The Sapporo Snow Festival draws crowds to see large-scale ice sculptures while Tokyo hosts the traditional Sumo New Year Basho. Local temples and shrines come alive with New Year (Shogatsu) festivities. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "The Sapporo Snow Festival was incredible with over 60 international teams competing to build massive snow sculptures reaching over 15m in height."

Which locations in Japan are best to visit in January?

Winter creates ideal conditions for visiting Hakone's hot springs with views of Mt. Fuji snow-covered Kyoto temples and Tokyo's extensive indoor attractions. Strategic bases include THE GATE HOTEL RYOGOKU in Tokyo and the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa in Hakone both offering easy access to winter activities and sightseeing.

Which Japanese hot springs (onsen) are best to visit in January?

The winter months make hot spring visits especially rewarding in regions like Hakone and Kusatsu. Hotel Moriaki Ryokan offers outdoor baths with scenic winter views while Kusatsu Onsen's steaming yubatake (hot water fields) create a dramatic winter scene. A TourRadar traveler recalls: "Soaking in an outdoor onsen while snow fell around us was an unforgettable January experience."

Is January a good time for seeing Japanese wildlife?

Winter reveals unique wildlife viewing opportunities particularly in Hokkaido. Visitors can observe red-crowned cranes in Tsurui village snow monkeys bathing in Nagano's hot springs and numerous winter bird species. One TourRadar traveler noted: "Watching the red-crowned cranes dance in the snow at sunrise was a magical experience that could only happen in winter."

How crowded are tourist attractions in Japan during January?

January offers relatively quiet conditions at most attractions except during New Year's week and winter festivals. Visitors can explore popular sites like Tokyo's Senso-ji Temple and Kyoto's Golden Pavilion without large crowds. According to a TourRadar guide: "January offers a unique opportunity to see Japan's most famous sites beautifully decorated in snow with fewer tourists than during cherry blossom season."

Japan Tours in January 2027

10 best Japan trips in January 2027

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City & Culture
11 Day Explorer Central Japan Snow Monkey Park（Private Guide and Driver）
5.0 (1 traveler review)
"This was a well planned itinerary with some places that I would never have found."
Kelvin, traveled in May
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Oshino, Jigokudani Valley, Yamanouchi,Yudanaka,Nagano,Matsumoto,Shirakawa-go,Takayama,Kanazawa,Kyoto,Fushimi,Uji,Nara,Hiroshima,Miyajima Island,Osaka+13 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Islands
Honshu
Operated in
English
Operator
UME Travel Co. Ltd
25% Off
From $7,680
US$5,760per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
2 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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City & Culture
Japan Winter Wonder (Classic)
4.7 (13 traveler reviews)
"had an incredible amount of knowledge on the areas, traditions customs"
Chloe, traveled in December
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Hakone,Tokyo+1 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Regions
HonshuSouthern Japan+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
25% Off
From
US$2,650per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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6 Jan, 2027
10+ spaces left
13 Jan, 2027
7 spaces left
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City & Culture
Explore Japan: Snow Monkey & Onsen (Private Guided)
4.8 (6 traveler reviews)
"He exceeded our expectations and is already working on another vacation for us."
Katie, traveled in February
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Tokyo, Nagano, Jigokudani Valley, Takayama, Shirakawa-go,Kyoto,Arashiyama,Nara,Osaka+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
HonshuCentral Japan+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Odynovo
10% Off
From $4,167
US$3,750per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
2 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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City & Culture
Japan Winter Adventure (2026-27)
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Kyoto, Kanazawa, Tokyo, Memanbetsu, Lake Akan, Sapporo,Otaru+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
HokkaidoNorthern Japan+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
10% Off
From $6,823
US$6,141per person
+$952 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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20 Jan, 2027
9 spaces left
27 Jan, 2027
7 spaces left
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City & Culture
Active Northern Japan: Winter in Tokyo & Hokkaido
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Tokyo, Shiretoko National Park, Asahikawa, Sapporo
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
HokkaidoNorthern Japan+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
10% Off
From
US$4,999per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Adventure & Adrenaline
10 Days Family Winter Japan: Ski, Snow Monkeys & Mt.Fuji Tour (private guide and driver）- Customizable
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Tokyo, Yuzawa, Nagano, Jigokudani Valley, Matsumoto,Mount Fuji,Oshino+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
HonshuCentral JapanJapanese Alps+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
UME Travel Co. Ltd
25% Off
From $9,415
US$7,061per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
2 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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City & Culture
6 Days Hokkaido Snow Festival Tour (private guide and driver）- Customizable
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Sapporo, Noboribetsu
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
HokkaidoNorthern Japan+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
UME Travel Co. Ltd
25% Off
From $4,766
US$3,575per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
2 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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City & Culture
13 Day Wonders of Central Japan Snow Monkey Park （Private Guide and Driver）
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Tokyo, Hakone, Owakudani, Fujikawaguchiko, Oshino,Jigokudani Valley,Yamanouchi,Yudanaka,Nagano,Matsumoto,Shirakawa-go,Takayama,Kanazawa,Kyoto,Fushimi,Uji,Nara,Hiroshima,Miyajima Island,Osaka+15 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Islands
Honshu
Operated in
English
Operator
UME Travel Co. Ltd
25% Off
From $8,653
US$6,490per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
2 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Polar
7 Days Ski Niseko, Winter in Hokkaido Tour (private guide and driver）- Customizable
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Sapporo, Niseko
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
HokkaidoNorthern Japan+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
UME Travel Co. Ltd
25% Off
From $4,000
US$3,000per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
2 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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Ancient Wonders
Stunning Japan with Shirakawa-go (private 3 star hotel rooms)
4.4 (105 traveler reviews)
"We had a really good experience. We were able to get to know the other tourists well."
Mary, traveled in October
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Gifu, Takayama, Fuji, Hakone, Yokohama,Tokyo+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Islands
Honshu
Operated in
English
Operator
Stunning Tours
50% Off
From $3,598
US$1,799per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Adventure & Adrenaline
Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
4.9 (46 traveler reviews)
"We got to see so much of Japan that I wouldn't know to see if I was trying to do everything on my own."
Collette, traveled in January
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagano
Age Range
Ages 18-59
Islands
Honshu
Operated in
English
Operator
One Life Adventures
10% Off
From $2,775
US$2,498per person
Price based on Shared Room
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11 Jan, 2027
9 spaces left
25 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
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Adventure & Adrenaline
8 Days Winter Wonders: A Family Journey in Japan (private guide and driver）- Customizable
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Tokyo, Fuji, Kyoto, Osaka
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Islands
Honshu
Operated in
English
Operator
UME Travel Co. Ltd
25% Off
From $6,413
US$4,810per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
2 Jan, 2027
10 spaces left
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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City & Culture
Japan Sapporo Snow Festival
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Tokyo, Abashiri, Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate, Kyoto, Nara
Age Range
Ages 16+
Regions
HokkaidoNorthern Japan+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
25% Off
From
US$6,020per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Handpicked adventures loved by our team
TourRadar Curated
City & Culture
9D Splendid Japan-Private 3 Star Hotels-Osaka to Tokyo
4.5 (382 traveler reviews)
"It was the best way to see so much of Japan in a limited amount of time."
Estella, traveled in April
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Osaka, Nara, Nagoya, Kyoto, Mount Fuji, Tokyo
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Islands
Honshu
Operated in
English
Operator
Stunning Tours
50% Off
From $3,798
US$1,899per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
8D Splendid Japan-Private 3 Star Hotels-Osaka to Tokyo
4.6 (107 traveler reviews)
"My wife and I really loved the tour, it was fast paced but exactly what we were looking for."
Richard, traveled in April
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Osaka, Nara, Nagoya, Kyoto, Mount Fuji, Tokyo
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Islands
Honshu
Operated in
English
Operator
Stunning Tours
50% Off
From $3,598
US$1,799per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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