Tokyo in January
Clear, cold, quiet and cheap
The short answer
January is one of the best months to visit Tokyo.
Crisp light, empty museums and easy reservations at the hard tables.
8/10 overall2–10°CVery Low crowds¥¥ (Budget-friendly)
Weather7/10
Crowds10/10
Prices10/10
Events6/10
January in detail
What January actually feels like
- Weather
- 2–10°C
- Cold, dry, remarkably clear — best Mt Fuji visibility
- Crowds
- Very Low
- Domestic travel stops after New Year; foreign arrivals are at a low
- Prices
- ¥¥ (Budget-friendly)
- Cheapest hotel rates of the year from about 5 January
+Dry blue skies, the lowest rates of the year and almost no queues.
–Cold mornings and a near-shutdown during the first days of the month.
My tip for January
Avoid 29 Dec–4 Jan when much of the city closes. Otherwise, ideal.
- City walking
- Food
- Day trips
- Shopping
How January compares
Against the other eleven months
2nd of 12 overall in Tokyo, 6th for weather, 1st for space, 1st for value. It is the emptiest month of the year; and it's also the best value.
See all twelve months for TokyoPlan around
What’s on in Tokyo in January
- New Year shutdown
- Much of the city closes. From about 5 January, Tokyo is quiet, clear and cheap.
29 December – 4 January
Not set on January?
Even stronger months in Tokyo
Ready to book January in Tokyo?
Dry blue skies, the lowest rates of the year and almost no queues.
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