Temperatures in Kyoto in January range between cold and cool, with a high of 9°C (48°F). This makes it comfortable to go around the city, particularly for people who do not like the heat.
There is little rain with most days being dry. There is a slight chance of snow if the temperatures remain lower.
Kyoto Weather in January Summary Table
| Averages | Description | |
| Temperature Range | 2–9°C (36–48°F) | Cold–Cool |
| Rainfall | 5 cm (2"), 8 days | Low, mostly dry |
| Humidity | 67% | Comfortable |
| High Feels Like | 9°C (48°F) | Cool |
| Sunshine | 4 hours | Usually clear |
Is January a Good Time to Visit Kyoto?
January is a great time of the year to visit Kyoto, particularly for tourists who want to walk around and explore the outdoors, as well as for those who do not love the heat that the summer months bring.
To add to this, Kyoto is generally quieter in January, with fewer tourists, and there are many light activities happening in the evenings; such as the Kyoto Station Illuminations, and the Synesthesia Hills Illuminations, as well as interesting shrine festivals.
Should you happen upon a snowy day in Kyoto, which does sometimes happen too, we also think some of the sights around the city are even more beautiful covered in a thin layer of snow! Following your adventuring in the daytime, we recommend checking out an onsen to warm up.
We recommend wrapping up warm and heading out to enjoy everything that Kyoto has to offer during this (sometimes) frosty but dry and clear time of year.
Top Places and Activities in Kyoto in January
See Some of Japan's Best Bonsai at the Gafuten Shohin Bonsai Exhibition
Bonsai, trees that are intentionally kept small, are well known around the world these days, but their origins are Japanese. Between January 5 and 7, the All Japan Shohin Bonsai Association is holding a bonsai exhibition that will wow you.
Attended by admirers as well as collectors and experts alike, you can find this interesting exhibit at Miyaka Messe, near to the Heian Jingu Shrine.
Take an Evening Walk Around and Enjoy the Kyoto Station Illuminations
Kyoto sees lots of light festivals in January that are worth checking out. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of Kyoto Station, the steps leading up to the station have been decked out with LEDs creating beautiful patterns. This lights festival is on between 3pm and 10pm every day until the last day of January 2025.
The Kyoto Station lights are great to see in conjunction with the Nidec Kyoto Tower, which is nearby, and surrounding streets have lots of shops and restaurants to visit and enjoy.
Another light festival that's great to see in the January evenings is the Synesthesia Hills Illuminations on the edge of Kyoto, which puts on a light and sound display bringing people from all over the country. For fans of teamLab installations, this is a good spot to visit while we eagerly await the opening of the teamLab Museum Kyoto.
Witness Toka Ebisu at Ebisu-jinja Shrine
Kyoto is home to numerous beautiful shrines, and what better way to visit a shrine than during a festival? Between January 8 and 12, Toka Ebisu is held at Ebisu-jinja Shrine. The festival honors one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Japanese mythology, particularly the god of prosperity.
You'll see attendees throwing donations into the donation box, and ringing the bell before saying a prayer. They then head further into the shrine, and continue their prayers while banging their fists on a board. The ritual is interesting to watch, and adds a different atmosphere to visiting a shrine.
We recommend visiting in the evenings when the festival has most going on with more people visiting after work, although if you prefer avoiding crowds, the daytime might be better for you.
Warm Up in Kyoto's Tenzan-no-yu Onsen
After days of exploring in the outdoors, and also because onsens and spas are a big part of Japanese culture, we suggest visiting Tenzan-no-yu Onsen to warm up and get pampered.
There are public baths, hot springs, thermal baths, and a sauna. The onsen itself gets supplied with water from a nearby mountain spring, which is said to make your skin softer. Treatments are also available to book, which Asia Highlights can help arrange for you.
What to Wear in Kyoto in January?
We recommend wearing warm clothing in Kyoto in January, because, while temperatures are usually cool but not nippy in the daytime, it gets colder in the evenings and early mornings.
Bringing a winter coat as well as a fleece or a sweater to wear underneath for the early mornings and later evenings is advised, particularly if you are looking to go walking or to explore the great outdoors around Tokyo. You can always take off a layer throughout the day.
In addition to that we suggest packing your favorite hat and scarf, and comfortable and waterproof footwear (in case of snow or light rain), as well as bringing an umbrella just in case.
Recommended Tours for Kyoto in January
Asia Highlights has a range of different tours available for Kyoto and beyond, covering all of Japan and the region in differing lengths and with varied focuses. For January, we recommend the following tours:
- 2-Week Japan Private Family Vacation including Kyoto
- 12-Day Classic Japan Tour if you have more time to travel around
- 9-Day Japan Highlights Tour for those wanting to see the highlights of Japan including Kyoto
Itineraries are customizable, and we recommend reaching out if you'd like for us to curate your own tour to Japan, or if there are some changes you'd like to make to existing itineraries. Just let us know your preferences and your needs, and our Japan experts will put together your ideal itinerary.
Kyoto Weather Info by Month
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