When Does It Get Cold in Japan? Climate, Snow & Travel Tips

Japan’s cold depends on where you are. In January, Tokyo averages about 5.4°C, Sapporo about −3.2°C and Naha, in Okinawa, about 17.3°C. The cold usually builds from November, is deepest in January and February, and varies far more by region than by month.

The numbers below are the Japan Meteorological Agency’s 1991–2020 monthly mean temperatures for five major cities. They are averages, so daytime highs are warmer and nights colder. Sources are listed at the end.

Table of Contents

Average Winter Temperatures by City
1. Daytime Highs and Overnight Lows
When Does It Get Cold? Month by Month
Where Does It Snow?
1. Why the Sea of Japan Side Gets So Much Snow
Winter in Each Region of Japan
What to Wear
Winter Travel Tips
Winter Events and Dates for 2026–27
Cold Weather FAQ
Sources and Last Check

Average Winter Temperatures by City

City	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb
Sapporo	5.2°C	−0.9°C	−3.2°C	−2.7°C
Tokyo	12.5°C	7.7°C	5.4°C	6.1°C
Osaka	13.8°C	8.7°C	6.2°C	6.6°C
Fukuoka	14.2°C	9.1°C	6.9°C	7.8°C
Naha (Okinawa)	22.5°C	19.0°C	17.3°C	17.5°C

Tokyo’s winter is dry. JMA’s normal rainfall there is about 59.7 mm in January and 57.9 mm in December. Osaka is similar in January, at about 47.0 mm.

Daytime Highs and Overnight Lows

The monthly averages above blend day and night. The table below splits them into the average daily high and low, which is closer to what you will feel when you step outside at lunchtime and again after dinner.

City	Nov (high / low)	Dec (high / low)	Jan (high / low)	Feb (high / low)
Sapporo	8.7°C / 1.6°C	2.0°C / −4.0°C	−0.4°C / −6.4°C	0.4°C / −6.2°C
Sendai	14.1°C / 5.6°C	8.3°C / 0.9°C	5.6°C / −1.3°C	6.5°C / −1.1°C
Niigata	14.3°C / 6.9°C	8.7°C / 2.4°C	5.3°C / 0.1°C	6.4°C / −0.1°C
Tokyo	16.7°C / 8.8°C	12.0°C / 3.8°C	9.8°C / 1.2°C	10.9°C / 2.1°C
Nagoya	17.3°C / 8.6°C	11.7°C / 3.4°C	9.3°C / 1.1°C	10.5°C / 1.4°C
Osaka	17.8°C / 10.2°C	12.3°C / 5.3°C	9.7°C / 3.0°C	10.5°C / 3.2°C
Fukuoka	18.2°C / 10.6°C	12.6°C / 5.8°C	10.2°C / 3.9°C	11.6°C / 4.4°C
Naha (Okinawa)	25.0°C / 20.4°C	21.5°C / 16.8°C	19.8°C / 14.9°C	20.2°C / 15.1°C

Two numbers show how different the regions are. In Tokyo, a January day reaches about 9.8°C but the night falls to about 1.2°C, a swing of roughly 8 to 9 degrees between a heated train and an evening street. In Sapporo, the average January high is −0.4°C, so it stays at or below freezing even at midday. Naha’s coldest January nights still average 14.9°C.

Weather in October to November — Illustrative image

When Does It Get Cold? Month by Month

Winter is usually counted as December to February, but the cold starts earlier in the north and lingers later there too. Here is how the season builds and fades, using the same JMA averages (mean temperature, with the average daily high and low in brackets where they help).

October: cool in the north, mild elsewhere

Sapporo already averages 12.1°C (high 16.4°C, low 8.0°C), while Tokyo averages 18.0°C and Osaka 19.5°C. Naha is still warm at 25.5°C. A light jacket is enough in the big cities; in Hokkaido, add a warm layer for the evenings.

November: the first properly cold month in the north

Sapporo averages 5.2°C (high 8.7°C, low 1.6°C), Niigata 10.5°C, Tokyo 12.5°C and Osaka 13.8°C. Tokyo is pleasant by day at 16.7°C but drops to about 8.8°C at night. Naha stays mild at 22.5°C.

December: winter reaches most of the country

Sapporo falls below freezing on average (−0.9°C) and its daytime high is only 2.0°C. Tokyo averages 7.7°C (high 12.0°C, low 3.8°C). On the Sea of Japan side, Niigata receives about 226 mm of precipitation in December, including snow, against about 58 mm in Tokyo. Naha averages 19.0°C.

January: the coldest month

January is the coldest month in every city in this guide. Sapporo averages −3.2°C (high −0.4°C, low −6.4°C), Sendai 2.0°C, Niigata 2.5°C, Tokyo 5.4°C, Osaka 6.2°C, Fukuoka 6.9°C and Naha 17.3°C. Tokyo is cold but bright, with about 193 hours of sunshine in the month, compared with only about 56 hours in Niigata.

February: almost as cold, with the first signs of change in the south

Sapporo averages −2.7°C and still has overnight lows around −6.2°C. Niigata averages 3.1°C and Tokyo 6.1°C (high 10.9°C, low 2.1°C). Winter is not over in the north, but the Pacific side is already a little milder than in January.

March: the turning point, but not for the north

Tokyo averages 9.4°C (high 14.2°C, low 5.0°C) and Osaka 9.9°C. Sapporo is still only 1.1°C on average (high 4.5°C, low −2.4°C), and Niigata is at 6.2°C. If you want to avoid winter conditions in Hokkaido, March is too early.

Where Does It Snow?

Hokkaido and the mountain regions of northern Honshu, including the Japan Sea side, get the heaviest snow, while Tokyo and the Pacific coast are mostly dry and bright in winter. Snow can linger in the high mountains for months: one Tohoku guide notes that the Hakkoda Mountains keep their snow until July in most years.

Winter climate differences across Japan from snowy Hokkaido to mild Tokyo — Illustrative image

Why the Sea of Japan Side Gets So Much Snow

Japan’s snow is not just a north-to-south story. In winter, cold air from the Asian continent flows out over the Sea of Japan. The sea does not freeze, so the air soaks up moisture on the way across, then is forced upward by the mountain ranges near the coast and dumps it as snow. Near 0°C the snow tends to be wet and heavy. The Pacific side sits on the sheltered side of those mountains and mostly gets dry air and clear skies.

The climate normals show the contrast clearly:

City	Where it is	January precipitation	January sunshine
Tokyo	Pacific side	59.7 mm	192.6 hours
Sendai	Pacific side, Tohoku	42.3 mm	149.0 hours
Osaka	Kansai	47.0 mm	146.5 hours
Fukuoka	North Kyushu	74.4 mm	104.1 hours
Sapporo	Hokkaido	108.4 mm	90.4 hours
Niigata	Sea of Japan side	180.9 mm	56.4 hours

Precipitation includes snow, counted as its melted water content. Deep snow in the nearby mountains is heavier still.

Niigata’s January average (2.5°C) is only about 3 degrees below Tokyo’s (5.4°C), but it gets roughly three times as much precipitation and less than a third of the sunshine. That is why a trip to Kanazawa, Toyama, Niigata or the Sea of Japan coast of Tohoku feels like a different season from a trip to Tokyo on the same dates.

It can also disrupt plans. In late January 2026, heavy snow along the Sea of Japan coast caused transport problems, and one news report put accumulated snow in Kanazawa at 64 cm on January 25. If your route passes through the snow belt, check forecasts, keep tickets flexible and leave slack in the schedule.

Winter in Each Region of Japan

Hokkaido

Sapporo’s average temperature stays below freezing from December to February (−0.9°C, −3.2°C and −2.7°C), and its daytime highs hover around or just above 0°C. The March average is still only 1.1°C. Inland towns are generally colder than the coastal city, so check the forecast for your exact destination, not just Sapporo.

Tohoku

On the Pacific side, Sendai averages 2.0°C in January with about 149 hours of sunshine and little precipitation (42.3 mm), so it is cold but fairly bright. The mountains and the Sea of Japan side are a different world. A Japanese government publication describes mountain towns in Iwate where snow lies from mid-December to mid-April and reaches roughly two metres deep between early February and early March. Our Hakkoda guide explains snow conditions in that region.

Hokuriku and the Sea of Japan coast (Niigata, Toyama, Kanazawa)

Temperatures are only a few degrees lower than Tokyo’s, but the sky is usually grey and the precipitation heavy. Niigata averages about 181 mm in January with only about 56 hours of sunshine. Pack waterproof boots and a hooded shell, not just a warm coat.

Tokyo and the Kanto Pacific side

Cold, dry and bright. Tokyo’s January average high is 9.8°C, humidity is only about 51% and there are roughly 193 hours of sunshine. Snow is uncommon. The discomfort comes from cold mornings, wind and dry air, so bring lip balm and moisturiser.

Nagoya, Kansai and western Honshu

Nagoya averages 4.8°C in January, Hiroshima 5.4°C and Osaka 6.2°C. Osaka is one of the drier cities at 47.0 mm. Kyoto, in an inland basin, is usually a little colder than Osaka. One Kansai winter guide gives Kyoto’s January average as about 4.6°C against about 6.0°C for Osaka, so plan for chillier mornings if you stay in Kyoto.

Kyushu

Fukuoka averages 6.9°C in January (high 10.2°C, low 3.9°C) and Kagoshima 8.7°C. Winter in north Kyushu is greyer than in Tokyo, with about 104 hours of sunshine in January against about 193 in the capital.

Okinawa

Naha averages 17.3°C in January (high 19.8°C, low 14.9°C). It is the mildest place in this guide, but it is cloudy and breezy, with only about 93 hours of sunshine in January. A light jacket or cardigan is enough; you will not need a winter coat.

What to Wear

Layers: trains and shops are well heated, so wear a warm coat over thin layers you can take off
Northern Japan: pack waterproof boots, thermal base layers, gloves and a hat
Mountain days: winter hiking needs proper winter gear and experience. Our best winter hikes guide covers easier options near Tokyo, and the Hakkoda guide explains snow conditions in Tohoku

A Simple Layering System

Base layer: a thin thermal top and leggings. Wool or synthetic fabrics are better than cotton if you will be walking in the cold or snow.
Middle layer: a fleece or wool sweater that you can take off when you step into a heated train or shop.
Outer layer: an insulated or down jacket for the north and the mountains, a warm wool or padded coat for the big cities, and a waterproof shell if you are going to the Sea of Japan coast.
Extras: hat, gloves, and a scarf or neck warmer.

What to Wear by Destination (December to February)

Where	Core clothing	Useful extras
Hokkaido and northern mountains	Insulated parka, thermal base layer, fleece, waterproof insulated boots	Neck warmer, warm hat, ice grips for boots
Sea of Japan coast (Niigata, Toyama, Kanazawa)	Waterproof hooded shell over warm layers, waterproof boots	Spare dry gloves and socks
Tokyo, Kanto and Nagoya	Medium-to-heavy coat over a sweater	Scarf, thermal layer for January nights
Kansai, Hiroshima and Fukuoka	Warm coat and light layers	Gloves and scarf for mornings, especially in Kyoto
Okinawa	Long sleeves and a light jacket or cardigan	Windproof layer for evenings

Footwear and Small Things That Help

Warm socks, plus a spare pair. You will often take your shoes off at restaurants, temples and traditional inns.
Grip matters in snow country. Boots with a deep tread are the minimum, and slip-on ice grips make icy pavements in Hokkaido and Tohoku much easier.
Heat pads. Disposable pocket warmers are sold at convenience stores and drugstores across Japan.
A foldable bag for your layers. Heating is strong indoors, and you will be taking things off and on all day.

Winter Travel Tips

Mornings and evenings run colder than the averages above, especially in the mountains and on clear nights
Daylight is short. Sunset in Tokyo comes around 4:30 p.m. in December, so plan sightseeing and hikes for the middle of the day
Hot springs are a classic winter activity. For a look at how Japanese homes stay warm, see our guide to the kotatsu
Choose lower-altitude walks and check snow, road and ropeway status before you go
New Year closures: many shops, restaurants and services close for a few days around January 1, so book transport and meals ahead
Allow slack for snow delays. Trains, buses and flights in the snow belt and in Hokkaido can run late or be cancelled, so avoid tight connections on the day you must be somewhere.
If you rent a car in snow country, winter tires are normally fitted on rental cars, but confirm when you book and stay off mountain roads during storms.
Hot drinks are everywhere. Convenience stores and many vending machines sell hot canned and bottled drinks in winter, a cheap way to warm your hands between stops.
Pick your region by the weather you want. Choose Tokyo or Kyoto for cold, dry sightseeing, Hokkaido or the Sea of Japan coast for real snow, and Okinawa if you want to avoid the cold altogether.

Winter Events and Dates for 2026–27

Dates change, so confirm each one on the organiser’s site before you book.

Grand Sumo January tournament, Tokyo: January 10–24, 2027 at Ryogoku Kokugikan. See our guide to watching sumo in Tokyo.
Shirakawa-go winter light-ups: one guide lists four reservation-only evenings in January 2027 (January 11, 17, 24 and 31).
Sapporo Snow Festival: February 4–11, 2027, across the Odori, Susukino and Tsudome sites. Sapporo hotels fill early during the festival.
Otaru Snow Light Path: usually in early February. Its 2027 dates had not been announced when we checked; in 2026 it ran February 7–14.
Kawazu cherry blossoms, Izu Peninsula: listed as running from February 6 to March 7, 2027, a reminder that winter is already ending at the southern edge of the main islands.
New Year closures: many shops, restaurants and attractions close for several days around January 1. For 2026–27, one guide lists the Imperial Palace East Gardens as closed December 28 to January 3 and Shinjuku Gyoen as closed December 29 to January 3.

Cold Weather FAQ

What is the coldest month?

January in most cities. In Sapporo it is −3.2°C on average, and in Tokyo 5.4°C.

Does Tokyo get snow?

Tokyo is cold but mostly dry. Its normal winter rainfall is under 60 mm a month, and heavy snow is uncommon.

Is Okinawa warm in winter?

Mild. Naha averages 17.3°C in January, although it can still feel cool in wind and rain.

When does winter start in Japan?

Winter is usually counted as December to February, but the cold comes earlier in the north. Sapporo averages 12.1°C in October and 5.2°C in November, while Tokyo is still at 18.0°C in October and 12.5°C in November.

Is October cold in Japan?

Cool in Hokkaido and mild elsewhere. October averages are about 12.1°C in Sapporo, 18.0°C in Tokyo and 19.5°C in Osaka.

What should I wear in Tokyo in December?

The average December day reaches about 12.0°C and the night falls to about 3.8°C. A medium-weight coat over a sweater, plus a scarf, is usually enough. In January, add a thermal base layer.

How cold does Hokkaido get?

Sapporo averages −3.2°C in January, with an average daily low of −6.4°C and a high of −0.4°C. Inland and mountain areas are colder.

Does it snow in Kyoto or Osaka?

Occasionally, and usually lightly. Osaka’s normal January precipitation is only 47.0 mm. Heavy snow is far more typical of the mountains and the Sea of Japan coast.

Where is the warmest place in Japan in winter?

Okinawa. Naha averages 17.3°C in January. Among the mainland cities in this guide, Kagoshima is the mildest at 8.7°C.

When is the best time to visit Japan if I want to avoid the cold?

Spring from April and the early autumn months are the easiest. Tokyo averages 14.3°C in April and 18.0°C in October. If you must travel in winter, Okinawa is the warmest choice.

Are January or February better for snow?

Both are the coldest months, and the heaviest mountain snow is generally concentrated in January and February. February is also when the Sapporo Snow Festival takes place.

Sources and Last Check

Temperatures are the Japan Meteorological Agency’s 1991–2020 normals. Actual weather varies by year, so check a current forecast before you travel. We last checked these sources on October 9, 2026. Images are illustrations.