Kyoto · WinterMonth summary
Kyoto weather in January
⚠️ Fair
🌡️ Temperature min / max
30°F – 46°F
🌧 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
Winter in Kyoto is cool (8°F 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.
Browse by month
All months for Kyoto
Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °F | Max °F | Rain % | Precip in | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌫️ January | 30°F | 46°F | 24% | 0.1in | 7.8h | 4.7/10 |
| 🌫️ February | 30°F | 48°F | 26% | 0.1in | 8.5h | 5.0/10 |
| ⛅ March | 37°F | 55°F | 36% | 0.1in | 9.7h | 5.6/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 46°F | 66°F | 36% | 0.2in | 10.2h | 7.1/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 55°F | 75°F | 39% | 0.2in | 10.8h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ June | 64°F | 81°F | 47% | 0.3in | 9.8h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 73°F | 88°F | 55% | 0.3in | 11.0h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 75°F | 90°F | 42% | 0.2in | 11.9h | 7.4/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 70°F | 82°F | 49% | 0.3in | 9.8h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 55°F | 72°F | 37% | 0.2in | 9.1h | 7.3/10 |
| ⛅ November | 45°F | 61°F | 22% | 0.1in | 8.8h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌫️ December | 34°F | 50°F | 23% | 0.1in | 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 46°F, 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°F
- 🌧 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 46°F daytime and 30°F at night. 7.8h of sunshine per day. Pack warm clothes and favour indoor visits.
Accommodation
Find a place to stay in Kyoto
Find places to stay in Kyoto in January
Search on Hotels.com
Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Kyoto
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and local experiences.
Browse activities on GetYourGuide
Flights
Find a flight to Kyoto
Compare flights from all airlines.
Search flights
←
Explore also
Similar destinations in January
🌍 Top destinations
Other top destinations in January
Paphos
Jordan
SamosWeather rankings
Compare destinations by weather
Best in EuropeGuides & comparisons