Kyoto Weather in January

Season: Winter
In short:
1. Although temperatures of Kyoto are lowest in the entire year, the weather is basically not freezing.
2. The city receives low precipitation, even though snow can fall down.
3. In view of relatively low temperature, not so many people visit Kyoto in January, thus making this month the slack season.

Kinkaku-ji Temple in January

Coldest Month in Kyoto

Throughout the year, the temperature of Kyoto in January is the lowest, which is only 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) on average. During the day, the weather is slightly cold, with the high temperatures mostly from 5 to 11°C (41 to 52°F). So it won’t be freezing in the daytime, and you can still have a relatively comfortable tour. In the evening, the low temperatures of the city mainly fluctuate between 0 and 5°C (32 and 41°F), and you need to take necessary measures to keep warm. At some nights, the lowest temperature can be only -2°C (28°F), and some road surfaces can be icy and slippery if the city has just experienced precipitation.

Second-lowest Precipitation in a Year

In January, Kyoto just gets 58 mm of precipitation, which is the second-lowest in the entire year. According to the statistics, in January, the city has only 9 precipitation days, on which patchy or moderate rain will come down. Moreover, the duration of rain is not so long, and you may have a chance of viewing scenery of different kinds under rainy and sunny weather conditions in one day, fully enjoying the charm exuded by this beautiful ancient capital.

Does it Snow in Kyoto in January?

Generally speaking, snow will happen in Kyoto in January, but the amount of snow may be not quite large. Moreover, even on days with snowfall, the snow is hard to settle during the day because the temperature is mostly 0°C (32°F) and above. On occasion, the city gets sleet, in which moisture in a greater amount will make you feel damper and colder.

Sunrise, Sunset, and Length of Day

In January, Kyoto has earlier sunrise from 07:04 to 06:57 and later sunset from 16:55 to 17:23. As a result, daytime gets longer from 9 hours and 50 minutes to about 10.5 hours, but still not long enough for you to travel around too many attractions in a day.
  See also: Japan Weather in January

Is January a Good Time to Visit Kyoto?

From the perspective of weather, January, as the coldest month in the entire year, is not a good time to visit Kyoto. Temperature is probably the most unpleasant factor, since it can be a challenge for some people very sensible to coldness to do sightseeing in 10°C and below. Besides, in this month, natural scenery may be not that attractive.

In consideration of budget and crowds, January is actually a serene and cheap time. After the new year day holiday, most domestic tourists return to work and daily life, and attractions are basically not crowded. Besides, prices of both air tickets and hotel rooms are at a low level, which are probably a half or even a quarter of those in the peak season.

What Should I Wear in Kyoto in January?

Warm and windproof clothes: Try to put multiple layers of clothes into your luggage, for example, thermal underwear, a sweater, and a down jacket. For bottoms, bring long johns / thermal leggings and outer pants like jeans.

Shoes: You may wander along the Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka to visit the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and have to walk up slopes and steps. So, thick and anti-slippery sneakers and boots help you walk more stably.

Others:
1. In the period just before the sunset, cold winds may blow, so a scarf and a woolen beanie are necessary to keep warm.
2. Since the air is relatively dry in this month, especially on sunny days, you can bring a moisturizer to protect your skin.

Travel Tips in Kyoto in January

1. January 1, 2026 marks the Japanese New Year, on which people flock into temples and shrines to pray, so the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kiyomizu-dera Temple will be crowded with local people. If you are not that keen on experiencing new-year-celebration mood, better to avoid visiting Kyoto in the first few days this month.

2. For snow scenery lovers, in case the snow melts as the temperature gradually increases after the sun rises, early morning is the best period to enjoy the view. On a clear day just after snow, the Kyoko-chi Pond in the Kinkaku-ji Temple reflects the gold-leafed pavilion covered by a thin layer of snow, forming a superb view in winter. Another popular attraction to admire snow is the Arashiyama Scenic Spot, and walking on the snow-covered road in dense bamboo forests is indeed a wonderful experience.

Kyoto Hirogawara Ski Area

Kyoto Ebisu Shrine Hall

3. For those who want to photograph views with less tourists, early morning is also the best choice, during which the streets with traditional teahouses are in a quite atmosphere, and you can be fully immersed in the unique charm of this history-honored city.

4. January 7 marks the beginning of work of geishas in the brand-new year ahead. On this day, geishas in elegant traditional clothes in the Gion District will pay a visit to shops on the Hanamikoji Street, so the chance to encounter them is the highest. Please remember to keep a certain distant when photographing them.

Geisha Giving Her Performance

Kyoto Weather by Month