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Monthly climate guide

Tokyo weather in January

January in Tokyo is typically cold, with average daytime highs around 8°C (46°F) and night-time lows near -2°C (29°F). The month usually brings about 55 mm of rain (some rain) and is a mix of sun and cloud. Daytime highs are 3°C cooler than December and about the same as February.

What stands out in January

  • Skies are at their clearest this time of year.
  • Short daylight hours mean Meiji Shrine is best seen around midday.
  • Just 100 km apart, but Tokyo runs about 4°C warmer than Maebashi this month.
  • Mornings start cold: the average low is -2°C, and frost is common.

January is typically Tokyo's coolest month.It's usually the driest month of the year.

Avg high

8°C

46°F

Avg low

-2°C

29°F

Rainfall

55 mm

some rain

Humidity

76%

relative

Sky

43%

cloud · a mix of sun and cloud

Tokyo weather by month

Low → high °C Rain (mm)
Show the monthly averages as a table
Average monthly climate in Tokyo
MonthAvg highAvg lowRainHumidityCloud cover
January8°C / 46°F-2°C / 29°F55 mm76%43%
February9°C / 48°F-1°C / 30°F66 mm77%57%
March13°C / 55°F2°C / 35°F112 mm77%59%
April18°C / 64°F7°C / 44°F134 mm77%64%
May23°C / 73°F12°C / 54°F132 mm78%66%
June25°C / 77°F17°C / 62°F197 mm83%82%
July29°C / 84°F21°C / 70°F183 mm84%77%
August31°C / 87°F23°C / 73°F130 mm82%66%
September27°C / 80°F19°C / 66°F239 mm84%73%
October21°C / 70°F12°C / 54°F214 mm83%68%
November16°C / 61°F6°C / 43°F91 mm82%56%
December11°C / 51°F1°C / 33°F59 mm78%48%

What to pack for January

  • A proper insulated winter coat
  • A hat, scarf and gloves
  • Thermal base layers and warm, grippy boots for icy mornings
  • A small travel umbrella, just in case
Full season-by-season packing guide →

Is January a good time to visit Tokyo?

Our Tokyo guide recommends: March to May for cherry blossoms, or September to November for mild temperatures and autumn colour.

Get an IC card (Suica or Pasmo) on arrival — it works across nearly all trains, subways, and buses, and at many convenience stores.

Best time to visit Tokyo →

Other Japan cities in January

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Tokyo in January: quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Tokyo?

January is cool in Tokyo, with highs around 8°C. Better for museums and city walks than the beach, and usually quieter.

How warm is Tokyo in January?

Average highs are about 8°C (46°F) and average lows about -2°C (29°F), based on 10 years of daily data.

Does it rain a lot in Tokyo in January?

Tokyo typically gets around 55 mm of rain in January — some rain. It's usually the driest month of the year.

When is the best time to visit Tokyo?

March to May for cherry blossoms, or September to November for mild temperatures and autumn colour.

Figures are long-term averages for the area around Tokyo (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020), not a forecast for a specific year. For upcoming days, see the live multi-source forecast.