When to go · Sai

Sai in January

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Feb (cold, limited ferry service).

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Temperature: 2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) / −5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C); average high / low
Rain days: 5
Crowds: Low; Japan overall
Prices: Low; Japan overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Sai

Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Feb (cold, limited ferry service).

Is another month better than January?

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

Long-term averages

SaiHighs around 2 °C (36 °F), lows around -5 °C (23 °F), rain on about 5 daysHighs around 36 °F (2 °C), lows around 23 °F (-5 °C), rain on about 5 days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

New Year (Shōgatsu) big impact
29 Dec – 3 Jan · Japan
Shops, museums and many restaurants close; shrines packed on 1–3 Jan; trains full on 29–30 Dec and 2–3 Jan.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Japan overall: Low
Prices · Japan overall: Low

Japan overall: Cold, dry and clear in the cities after 3 Jan; ski season in Hokkaidō and the Alps.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Sai, side by side.

First month

Second month

Verdict
Jan: Avoid
Jun: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
Jun: 23 °C (73 °F)73 °F (23 °C)
Night low
Jan: -5 °C (23 °F)23 °F (-5 °C)
Jun: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 5
Jun: 4 (better)
Crowds
Jan: Low
Jun: Low
Prices
Jan: Low
Jun: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Jun: 0

January: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Feb (cold, limited ferry service).

June: Inside Sai's best window: Jun–Sep (sea‑urchin roe festival, milder weather).

Sai: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Japan in January →