The month in detail
What to expect in January
Winter in Nara is cool (8°C during the day). Days are short (3.7h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Rain risk remains low (18% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.
January ranks 11 out of 12 months in Nara. Compared to December: −3°C daytime.
This month's conditions
What it's like in January
UV index
3 · moderate
protect during midday hours
Feels like
dry air
-0°
Daylight
9.9h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 35
Compare
Is January the right month?
The best month in Nara is May (7.9/10), 3.8 pts higher than January.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Nara
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Nara
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.
Country · Japan
🗣️LanguageJapanese
💶CurrencyYen japonais (¥)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘSafe · 2/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘ+1.36°C/decade
🔥Hottest monthAugust · 32°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 8°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJuly · 38%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
Explore
Other destinations in January
If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Nara ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
JapanTemperate climate with a 7.9 → 4.1 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
34.69°N · 135.80°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Nara?
May is the best month with 24.0°C highs, 13.0°C lows, 6.1h of sunshine and 29.0% rainy days. The months of May & September offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Nara get in May?
Nara averages 6.1 sunshine hours per day in May. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.4/10.
What is the rainiest month in Nara?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Nara in May?
In May, overnight lows reach 13.0°C, while afternoon highs average 24.0°C.
Is Nara good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Nara scores 4.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains May with a score of 7.4/10.
When should you avoid Nara?
January is the most difficult month to visit Nara, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Nara in January?
The average UV index reaches 3 in January in Nara (moderate), with about 9.9h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.