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When to go · Shima

Shima in January

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (humid, crowded beaches), Jan–Feb (cold).

Key facts

Verdict
Avoid
Temperature
10°C (50°F) / 2°C (36°F)
average high / low
Rain days
6
Crowds
Low
Japan overall
Prices
Low
Japan overall

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Shima

Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (humid, crowded beaches), Jan–Feb (cold).

Is another month better than January?

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

Long-term averages
  • ShimaHighs around 10 °C (50 °F), lows around 2 °C (36 °F), rain on about 6 days
  • Honshū cities, Japan · Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshimacool

    Rainy season June to mid-July; humid heat July–August; typhoon risk peaks in September.

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 Shima, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Avoid

    Apr: Great (better)

  • Daytime high

    Jan: 10 °C (50 °F)

    Apr: 19 °C (66 °F)

  • Night low

    Jan: 2 °C (36 °F)

    Apr: 10 °C (50 °F)

  • Rain days

    Jan: 6 (better)

    Apr: 10

  • Crowds

    Jan: Low

    Apr: High

  • Prices

    Jan: Low

    Apr: High

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 1

    Apr: 2

January: Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (humid, crowded beaches), Jan–Feb (cold).

April: Inside Shima's best window: Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov.

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

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Japan in January →