Kyoto · WinterMonth summary
Kyoto weather in January
⚠️ Fair
🌡️ Temperature min / max
-1°C – 8°C
🌧 Rainy days
24% of days
☀️ Sunshine
7.8h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
4.7/10
📅 📅 Best month
May (7.6/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Kyoto in January?
⚠️ Fair
✅ Yes if: you enjoy winter atmosphere and the lowest prices of the year.
❌ No if: you're looking for sunshine or outdoor activities.
Our take: January is a difficult time for Kyoto. May (7.6/10) is much more favourable.
By trip type
Kyoto in January by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ⚠️ Possible
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ❌ Not recommended
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : — No sea access
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in January
🎯 Tourist low season — museums and monuments without queues Winter in Kyoto is cool (8°C during the day). Days are short (7.8h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Rain risk remains low (24% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.
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All months for Kyoto
Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain % | Precip mm | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌫️ January | -1°C | 8°C | 24% | 1.7 | 7.8h | 4.7/10 |
| 🌫️ February | -1°C | 9°C | 26% | 2.2 | 8.5h | 5.0/10 |
| ⛅ March | 3°C | 13°C | 36% | 3.7 | 9.7h | 5.6/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 8°C | 19°C | 36% | 5.1 | 10.2h | 7.1/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 13°C | 24°C | 39% | 6.0 | 10.8h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ June | 18°C | 27°C | 47% | 8.1 | 9.8h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 23°C | 31°C | 55% | 8.3 | 11.0h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 24°C | 32°C | 42% | 5.9 | 11.9h | 7.4/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 21°C | 28°C | 49% | 6.4 | 9.8h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 13°C | 22°C | 37% | 6.2 | 9.1h | 7.3/10 |
| ⛅ November | 7°C | 16°C | 22% | 2.3 | 8.8h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌫️ December | 1°C | 10°C | 23% | 1.9 | 7.7h | 5.2/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In January, Kyoto averages 8°C, 24% rainy days and 7.8h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 4.7/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
January vs May (best month)
The best month is May (score 7.6/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +16°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : +15%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +3.0h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Kyoto in January
Is January a good time to visit Kyoto?
January is not recommended for Kyoto (score 4.7/10). With 24% rainy days and 7.8h of sunshine, consider May (7.6/10) instead.
What's the weather like in Kyoto in January?
It's cool with 8°C daytime and -1°C at night. 7.8h of sunshine per day. Pack warm clothes and favour indoor visits.
Accommodation
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Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Kyoto
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