Nagoya→
Station: NagoyaNagoya, Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Jingu, Inuyama
High
9.3℃
Low
1.1℃
- Precip.
- 50.8mm
- Sunshine
- 175h
- Sunset
- 17:02
Highs around 9°C, mornings around 1°C. Lots of sunny, dry days
Chubu & Hokuriku Weather Guide
Chubu & Hokuriku Weather in January: What to Wear & Expect
January is the coldest month of the year in Chubu & Hokuriku. Nagoya's high is 9.3°C and mornings drop to around 1°C. Nagoya on the Pacific side gets lots of sunny, dry days, while Kanazawa on the Sea of Japan side and Shirakawa-go, Takayama and Hakuba in the mountains are in snow season. Shirakawa-go's high is around 3°C with mornings around -4°C, and its gassho-zukuri village is wrapped in deep snow. Enjoy sights you can only see in winter, like the Shirakawa-go illumination in the snow and the monkeys bathing in the hot spring at Jigokudani.
- Nagoya high
- 9.3℃
- Nagoya low
- 1.1℃
- Nagoya rainfall
- 50.8mm
- Nagoya sunset
- 17:02
Overview
Chubu & Hokuriku in January: Key Points
- ✓Nagoya's high is 9.3°C, with mornings around 1°C. You'll need a winter coat
- ✓Snow season in Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, Takayama and Hakuba. Shirakawa-go mornings are around -4°C
- ✓The Shirakawa-go illumination usually runs in January and February. Reservations required
- ✓Bring shoes you can walk on snow in, and something to stop you slipping
By Area
January Weather by Area
Temperature, precipitation, snow and sunshine are climate normals (1991-2020). Sunset is for January 15.
Kanazawa→
Station: KanazawaKanazawa, Kenrokuen, Higashi Chaya District, 21st Century Museum
High
7.1℃
Low
1.2℃
- Precip.
- 256mm
- Max snow depth
- 27cm
- Sunset
- 16:59
Highs around 7°C. Many snowy or rainy days; Kenrokuen's yukitsuri snow ropes are at their best
Shirakawa-go→
Station: ShirakawaShirakawa-go, Gassho-zukuri Farmhouses, Ogimachi Observatory, Gokayama
High
2.8℃
Low
−4.4℃
- Precip.
- 281.8mm
- Max snow depth
- 148cm
- Sunset
- 16:59
Highs around 3°C, mornings around -4°C. The gassho-zukuri village sits in deep snow
Takayama→
Station: TakayamaTakayama, Sanmachi, Miyagawa Morning Market, Okuhida Onsen
High
3.2℃
Low
−4.8℃
- Precip.
- 101.9mm
- Max snow depth
- 44cm
- Sunset
- 16:58
Mornings drop to around -5°C. Sanmachi looks beautiful under snow
Gero Onsen→
Station: HagiwaraGero Onsen, Hida River, Gassho Village
High
5.1℃
Low
−2.8℃
- Precip.
- 83.2mm
- Sunshine
- 116h
- Sunset
- 16:59
Mornings around -3°C. Enjoy winter fireworks every Saturday and the hot springs
Toyama / Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route→
Station: ToyamaToyama, Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Kurobe Dam, Unazuki Onsen
High
6.3℃
Low
0.2℃
- Precip.
- 259mm
- Max snow depth
- 40cm
- Sunset
- 16:57
Highs around 6°C. Many snowy days. The Alpine Route is closed for winter
Matsumoto / Kamikochi→
Station: MatsumotoMatsumoto, Matsumoto Castle, Kamikochi, Norikura Highlands
High
5.1℃
Low
−4.9℃
- Precip.
- 39.8mm
- Max snow depth
- 19cm
- Sunset
- 16:55
Lots of sunny days, but mornings around -5°C. Kamikochi is closed for winter
Hakuba→
Station: HakubaHakuba, Happo-one, Tsugaike Kogen, Hakuba Goryu
High
1.4℃
Low
−7.2℃
- Precip.
- 141.5mm
- Max snow depth
- 82cm
- Sunset
- 16:54
Highs around 1°C, mornings around -7°C. Peak ski season
Nagano / Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen→
Station: NaganoNagano, Zenkoji, Jigokudani Monkey Park, Shibu Onsen, Shiga Kogen
High
3.8℃
Low
−3.9℃
- Precip.
- 54.6mm
- Max snow depth
- 26cm
- Sunset
- 16:53
Mornings around -4°C. See monkeys bathing in the hot spring at Jigokudani Monkey Park
Kiso Valley (Tsumago & Magome)→
Station: NagisoTsumago-juku, Magome-juku, Narai-juku
High
4.6℃
Low
−4.5℃
- Precip.
- 107.5mm
- Sunshine
- 131h
- Sunset
- 16:58
Highs around 5°C. Mornings drop below freezing; watch for ice on the post towns' stone paving
What to Wear
What to Wear in Chubu & Hokuriku in January
Base layer
Thermal underwear; a heavyweight layer for the snowy areas
Tops
Sweater or fleece
Outerwear
Down jacket or thick coat; a waterproof one is handy for the snowy areas
Bottoms
Long pants; fleece-lined pants or thick tights work too
Shoes
Comfortable walking shoes in Nagoya. For Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, Takayama and Hakuba, non-slip waterproof boots
Accessories
Gloves, a knit hat, a scarf and kairo (disposable heat packs)
Snow settles and roads freeze in places like Shirakawa-go, Takayama and Hakuba. Waterproof boots with treaded soles or slip-on traction cleats for your shoes will keep you steady.
Good to Know
Good to Know
Wear non-slip shoes on snowy roads
In Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Nagano and elsewhere, you may have to walk on packed, frozen snow. Choose shoes with non-slip soles and walk slowly.
Rental cars need winter tires
Outside Nagoya, in the mountains and on the Sea of Japan side, you'll be driving on snowy and icy roads. Book a car with winter tires, and if you're not used to driving in snow, we recommend taking buses or trains instead.
Snow can disrupt transport
On days of heavy snow, buses may be canceled, expressways closed and trains delayed. Leave plenty of slack in your plans on travel days.
Mountain areas are closed for winter
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is closed for winter, and so is Kamikochi. Both reopen in spring.
Events
January Events & Highlights
The snow-covered gassho-zukuri village is lit up at night. Reservations are required, and the dates change from year to year, so check the official information.
Read the guide：Shirakawa-go Winter Light-up →Tours & tickets for this eventPR
- PRKlook2027 Shirakawa-go Winter Light-up & Hida Takayama Small-Group Tour (from Nagoya)Stroll Takayama’s old town, then see the Shirakawa-go light-up at night. Runs on January 11, 17, 24 and 31, 2027View on Klook
- PRKlookShirakawa-go Light-up Small-Group Tour from NagoyaA day tour visiting Takayama Jinya, the Miyagawa Morning Market and Hie Shrine, then the Shirakawa-go light-upView on Klook
Snow Monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park
Yamanouchi, NaganoUsually January to FebruaryYou can watch wild Japanese macaques bathing in the hot spring. In the coldest months of January and February, the area is covered in more than 1 m of snow.
Gero Onsen Winter Fireworks (Hanabi Monogatari)
Gero OnsenUsually every Saturday from January to MarchFireworks light up the winter night sky for about 10 minutes from the banks of the Hida River. Easy to enjoy from the hot spring town.
Dates change every year. Please check the official websites before you go.
FAQ
FAQ
Q. What's the temperature in Nagoya in January?＋
On average, the high is 9.3°C and the low is 1.1°C. It's the coldest month of the year, with lots of sunny, dry days.
Q. How much snow is there in Shirakawa-go in January?＋
The average maximum snow depth is 148 cm, and the village is wrapped in deep snow. Highs are around 3°C, with mornings dropping to around -4°C.
Q. What should I wear in Chubu & Hokuriku in January?＋
You'll need a winter coat such as a down jacket, plus gloves and a knit hat. If you're heading to Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, Takayama or Hakuba, bring non-slip waterproof shoes.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Chubu & Hokuriku TripPR
Other Months
Chubu & Hokuriku Weather in Other Months
Back to the Chubu & Hokuriku Weather Guide (all months & areas) →
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (climate normals 1991-2020). Compiled by tripuuu.log. Temperatures are from a representative station in each area; actual weather varies from year to year.