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When to go · Zao Onsen

Zao Onsen in January

Great month. Inside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Temperature
−1°C (30°F) / −7°C (19°F)
average high / low
Rain days
20
Crowds
Low
Japan overall
Prices
Low
Japan overall

Verdict

GreatBest and avoid months for Zao Onsen

Inside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.

Is another month better than January?

No other month rates higher than January for Zao Onsen in this guide.

Weather in January

Long-term averages
  • Zao OnsenHighs around -1 °C (30 °F), lows around -7 °C (19 °F), rain on about 20 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 Zao Onsen, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Great

    Feb: Great

  • Daytime high

    Jan: -1 °C (30 °F)

    Feb: 0 °C (32 °F)

  • Night low

    Jan: -7 °C (19 °F)

    Feb: -7 °C (19 °F)

  • Rain days

    Jan: 20

    Feb: 17 (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: Low

    Feb: Low

  • Prices

    Jan: Low

    Feb: Low

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 1

    Feb: 0

January: Inside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.

February: Inside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.

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

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Japan in January →