Tokyo in January: Events Weather and Must-Do's
- January Grand Sumo Tournament
- Winter Illuminations
- Torigoe Shrine Tondoyaki Ceremony
- New Year's Celebrations
- Shinnen Ippan Sanga (Imperial Palace New Year Greeting)
- Coming of Age Day
- Fukubukuro and January Sales
- Furusato Festival at Tokyo Dome
- Must-Do Activities in Tokyo in January
- Take a Hot Spring Bath
- Winter Blooms and Garden Visits
- Traditional Japanese Dishes to Try in Winter
- Best Restaurants and Food Stalls for Winter Food
- Weather in Tokyo During January
- What to Pack for a January Visit
- Embracing the Tokyo Winter Magic
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Winter Illuminations
Tokyo's winter illuminations run from November through February, with dozens of installations spread across the city. January is an ideal time to see them because the holiday crowds have thinned and most displays are still running at full scale.
Different areas in Tokyo offer unique themes and light displays. From the European-style illuminations at Yebisu Garden Place to the Blue Cave in Shibuya, each installation has its own character. Most run from around 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and are free to visit.
Torigoe Shrine Tondoyaki Ceremony
The Torigoe Shrine Tondoyaki Ceremony is a traditional event held in January, where New Year's decorations are burned in a sacred fire as a way of expressing gratitude for the gods' protection during the past year.
Participants throw their New Year's decorations into the fire while praying for good health and fortune in the upcoming year. The flames reach several meters high and the ceremony lasts roughly 30 minutes. Locals bring their own decorations to add to the fire, and visitors are welcome to watch from the shrine grounds.
New Year's Celebrations
New Year's Eve is a momentous occasion celebrated globally, and Tokyo is no exception. The city bids farewell to the old year and welcomes the new one with a range of festivities that blend tradition and modernity. From countdown parties in Shibuya to ringing the joya-no-kane (end-of-year bell) in temples, the New Year's celebrations in Tokyo offer various experiences that cater to different tastes.
Visitors can join the locals in hatsumode, the first shrine or temple visit of the year, a deeply ingrained tradition in Japanese culture. The Meiji Shrine and Sensoji Temple are popular spots for this ritual, attracting a large number of worshippers seeking blessings for the upcoming year. Alternatively, those seeking a more contemporary celebration can head to Odaiba, where a grand fireworks display lights up the night sky as the clock strikes midnight.
Shinnen Ippan Sanga (Imperial Palace New Year Greeting)
Shinnen Ippan Sanga (New Year's visit of the general public to the Imperial Palace) is one of only two days each year when the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace open to the public. Held on January 2, the event draws tens of thousands of visitors who gather to see the Emperor and Empress appear on the balcony of the Chowaden Reception Hall and offer New Year's greetings.
The Imperial family typically appears five times between 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Entry is through the Main Gate (Nijubashi), and the grounds are open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. Admission is free, but expect long queues, especially for the first appearance. Arrive at least 60 minutes early for the best position. The event is a powerful, once-a-year glimpse into Japan's Imperial traditions.
Date: January 2
Where: Imperial Palace, Chiyoda (Main Gate / Nijubashi entrance)
Cost: Free
Coming of Age Day
Coming of Age Day, or Seijin-no-Hi, is a significant event held on the second Monday of January. This public holiday celebrates young adults who have turned or will turn 20 during the current school year, marking their transition into adulthood.
On this day, young women don traditional furisode, long-sleeved kimonos, while men wear either western suits or hakama, formal kimono trousers. Local governments host ceremonies where speeches are given and gifts are presented to the new adults. It's a vibrant day that showcases the elegance of traditional Japanese attire and the country's cultural values of respect and maturity.
Fukubukuro and January Sales
Fukubukuro (lucky bags) are a uniquely Japanese New Year shopping tradition. Shops fill sealed bags with mystery merchandise worth significantly more than the purchase price, and customers line up on January 2 or 3 to grab them before they sell out. The tradition dates back over a century, and today nearly every major retailer participates, from department stores to electronics chains.
In Tokyo, the biggest scenes unfold in Ginza (Matsuya, Mitsukoshi), Shibuya (Shibuya 109, Parco), Shinjuku (Isetan, Lumine), and Harajuku (Laforet). Electronics retailers like Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera draw especially long lines with bags containing cameras, headphones, or gaming consoles at steep discounts. Fashion brands at Laforet Harajuku are another crowd favorite. Prices typically range from ¥3,000 to ¥30,000 depending on the brand.
Beyond the lucky bags themselves, January sales (hatsu-uri) run through mid-January across Tokyo's malls and shopping streets. If you prefer to choose exactly what you buy, the post-New Year clearance markdowns at Shibuya 109, Lumine, and Marui are worth a visit.
Date: January 2 or 3 onward (varies by store)
Where: Major department stores and malls across Tokyo (Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku)
Cost: Typically ¥3,000–¥30,000 per bag
Furusato Festival at Tokyo Dome
The Furusato Matsuri (Hometown Festival) brings Japan's regional food and festival culture under one roof at Tokyo Dome each January. Over 300 vendors serve regional specialties, from Hokkaido seafood bowls to Kyushu ramen and Okinawan soba, alongside live performances of famous matsuri traditions like the Aomori Nebuta floats and Akita Kanto pole-balancing. It runs for roughly 10 days in mid-January.
For visitors, this is one of the easiest ways to sample dishes from across Japan without leaving Tokyo. The festival gets crowded on weekends, so weekday visits are more comfortable. Tickets purchased in advance are typically cheaper than at the door.
Date: Mid-January (typically January 10–19, check official site for current year)
Where: Tokyo Dome, Bunkyo
Cost: Approximately ¥1,800–¥2,000 for adults (advance purchase recommended); children under elementary school age free
Geikosai New Year's Festival at Yakuoin Temple on Mount Takao
Yakuoin Temple on Mount Takao holds its Geikosai fire festival on January 18. This festival involves a sacred fire ritual where wooden goma sticks inscribed with people's wishes are burned to invoke divine blessings.
The festival offers a unique spiritual experience as the monks chant sutras and perform the fire ritual. Participants can also warm themselves with amazake, a traditional sweet, non-alcoholic sake offered during the event. Mount Takao is about 50 minutes from Shinjuku by Keio Line train, and the hike to Yakuoin Temple takes roughly 40 minutes from the cable car station at the base.
Wrestle Kingdom 20 at Tokyo Dome
For wrestling enthusiasts, January in Tokyo brings the thrill of Wrestle Kingdom 20 at the Tokyo Dome. This event is one of the biggest professional wrestling shows globally and features top wrestlers from New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).
The Tokyo Dome holds over 40,000 fans for Wrestle Kingdom, and the atmosphere is electric from the opening match. You do not need to be a wrestling fan to enjoy it.
Date: Early January (typically January 4, check NJPW site for current year)
Where: Tokyo Dome, Bunkyo
Cost: Approximately ¥5,500–¥25,500 depending on seat
Must-Do Activities in Tokyo in January
Beyond the events and festivals, Tokyo has plenty to fill your January days. Here are the activities I recommend building into your itinerary, from temple visits and nightlife to onsen baths and winter garden walks.
Visit Odaiba
Odaiba is an artificial island in Tokyo Bay known for its stunning cityscape, shopping malls, and entertainment venues. Visiting Odaiba in January provides a unique experience as the area lights up with beautiful winter illuminations.
Explore Asakusa and Sensoji Temple
Asakusa is a district in Tokyo that preserves the old-world charm of the city amidst its modern landscape. The heart of Asakusa is Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, which attracts millions of visitors every year.
Visiting Asakusa and Sensoji Temple in January allows you to partake in Hatsumode, the first shrine or temple visit of the year. This is a deeply ingrained tradition in Japanese culture, and Sensoji draws over three million hatsumode visitors in the first three days of January, so I recommend arriving early in the morning or waiting until after January 5 for a calmer visit. The temple grounds are also home to Nakamise Shopping Street, where you can buy traditional Japanese souvenirs and snacks.
Take a Hot Spring Bath
Hot spring baths (onsen) are one of the best ways to recover after a cold day of walking Tokyo's streets.
Tokyo offers several onsen options, ranging from traditional ryokans to modern bathhouses. Thermae-yu in Shinjuku is a popular choice, offering a variety of baths, including outdoor ones with views of a beautiful Japanese garden. Alternatively, you can visit LaQua near Tokyo Dome, which combines hot spring baths with spa treatments for a luxurious pampering experience.
Winter Blooms and Garden Visits
January is when Tokyo's earliest flowers begin to appear, well before cherry blossom season. Wintersweet (roubai) blooms first, filling garden paths with a sweet, spicy fragrance through January. Camellias (tsubaki) reach their peak in January and February, and you can spot them at Shinjuku Gyoen and the grounds of smaller neighborhood shrines across the city.
By late January, the first plum blossoms (ume) start to open. Hanegi Park in Setagaya is home to roughly 650 plum trees and hosts a plum festival each February, but early-blooming varieties are already showing color by the last week of January. Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, next to Tokyo Dome, is another excellent spot for ume viewing in a traditional Edo-period landscape. These winter gardens are far quieter than their spring counterparts, and admission is typically ¥150–¥500.
Traditional Japanese Dishes to Try in Winter
Winter in Japan brings with it a variety of hearty and warming dishes. One such dish is nabe, a hot pot dish commonly enjoyed during the colder months. It consists of meat, vegetables, and tofu cooked in a flavorful broth. Nabe is typically a communal dish, with one pot shared at the table, which makes it a natural fit for group travel.
Another popular winter dish in Tokyo is oden, a type of stew that includes various ingredients like daikon radish, boiled eggs, and fish cakes simmered in a soy-based broth. Mochi, a type of rice cake, is also commonly consumed in winter, especially during New Year festivities. Whether grilled (yaki mochi) or served in a sweet red bean soup (zoni), mochi provides a delightful treat during the chilly season.
Best Restaurants and Food Stalls for Winter Food
Several restaurants across Tokyo specialize in these winter dishes. For an authentic nabe experience, head to Nabezo, a chain of restaurants specializing in this hot pot delicacy. They offer a range of broths and high-quality ingredients for a personalized nabe experience.
For Oden, Ameya Yokocho Market is a great place to try this winter staple. The food stalls here serve oden with a variety of ingredients to choose from. If you're craving mochi, Kagurazaka's Mizuho is renowned for its delicious offerings. This shop has been serving hand-pounded mochi for over a century and is especially popular during the New Year period.
Weather in Tokyo During January
January is typically the coldest month in Tokyo, but the weather is dry and sunny most days, making it comfortable for sightseeing. Average daytime highs reach about 10°C (50°F), while overnight lows drop to around 2°C (36°F). Rainfall is low, averaging roughly 52 mm for the entire month, and you can expect about 6 hours of sunshine per day. Humidity is also at its lowest, which makes the cold feel manageable compared to the heavy, damp winters of many European or North American cities.
Snowfall in Tokyo is rare but possible, usually limited to one or two light dustings per winter. When it does snow, the city's parks and temple rooftops look markedly different for a day or two. Most days, though, you will see blue skies. The practical takeaway: dress in warm layers, carry a compact umbrella for the occasional shower, and plan outdoor activities for the sunniest midday hours.
What to Pack for a January Visit
January temperatures range from 2–10°C, and you will be walking outdoors for much of the day. Pack accordingly:
Warm Clothing: Pack thermal layers, cozy sweaters, and a good quality winter jacket to keep yourself warm in the chilly Tokyo weather.
Accessories: Don't forget gloves, scarves, and hats. These accessories not only add style to your winter outfits but also provide much-needed warmth during outdoor exploration.
Comfortable Footwear: Opt for comfortable, warm, and waterproof shoes. They are ideal for navigating the city streets, especially when there's snowfall.
Rain Gear: An umbrella or a waterproof jacket is essential, as January can have occasional showers in Tokyo.
Skin Care Products: The dry winter air can take a toll on your skin. Carry a good moisturizer and lip balm to protect your skin from drying out.
Layers: Layers are crucial. Indoor locations like shops and restaurants are often well-heated. Dressing in layers allows you to adjust your clothing to the indoor and outdoor temperatures.
Embracing the Tokyo Winter Magic
Fewer foreign tourists, lower hotel prices after the first week, and a cultural calendar packed with events you will not find in any other month give January its own distinct character. Whether you time your trip for the hatsumode crowds in the first days or the quieter mid-month window, you will leave with experiences that peak-season visitors simply do not get.
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