January is a beautiful month to be in Kyoto, especially if you enjoy the winter weather. You’ll find that the New Years crowds thin out after the first week, and the temples and shrines which make the city famous are less crowded. If you’re thinking of visiting Japan this January, read on to find out what you should know before planning and what events there are to look forward to.
January tends to be one of the coldest months of the year in Kyoto. Be sure to pack proper layers, a warm coat, and a hat and gloves for early-morning shrine and temple visits.
Unlike the humid rains of summer, January weather in Kyoto tends to be dry and clear, perfect for sightseeing. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see the occasional snowfall. A snowy view of Kinkaku-ji Temple of the Arashiyama bamboo groves is one of the most coveted views of the year. It’s rare for snow to accumulate for long in the city, but be sure to check the forecast just in case.
January doesn’t have the crowd-drawing spectacle of July’s Gion Matsuri, but it opens the year with some of Kyoto’s oldest and most elegant New Year traditions.
Hatsumode is the tradition of the first shrine or temple visit of the New Year to pray for health and good fortune. The days around January 1st are the busiest, with major sites like Fushimi Inari Taisha and Yasaka Shrine drawing large crowds, but the custom is observed throughout the month. For a calmer and more relaxed experience, we recommend visiting popular temples and shrines during the mornings and visiting smaller shrines and temples off the beaten bath during the afternoons.
Kyoto’s first festival of the year is dedicated to Ebisu, the god of prosperity and good fortune in business. Held at Kyoto Ebisu Shrine, the five-day festival draws visitors hoping to secure lucky bamboo branches, blessed and hung with charms for the year ahead. Because Ebisu is said to be a little hard of hearing, visitors knock on a wooden board near the shrine as they pray, to be sure their wishes are heard.
There are two flea markets held monthyl in Kyoto, Kobo-san market at To-ji Temple on the 21st, and the Tenjin-san market at Kitano Tenmangu on the 25th. The first markets of the year, held in January, carry a bit of extra significance and are a good opportunity to browse antiques, kimono, pottery, and street food stalls while soaking up local life away from the main sightseeing routes.
If you’re planning to visit in January, there are two things worth knowing before building your itinerary.
New Year closures. Many restaurants, shops, and some smaller museums close for a few days around January 1st to 3rd for the holidays. Department stores and major tourist sites generally stay open, but it’s worth confirming opening hours in advance if you’re arriving right at the start of the month, and booking dinner reservations ahead of time where you can.
Coming of Age Day falls on the second Monday of January — January 11, 2027. This national holiday celebrates turning 20, and shrines across Kyoto, especially Heian Jingu, fill with women in formal furisode kimono and men in hakama, on their way to and from local ceremonies. It’s a wonderful, colorful day for photography, but expect shrines to be busier than usual, and be mindful that this is a meaningful personal milestone for those celebrating, not a photo opportunity. Restaurants also tend to be reserved in advance for celebrations, so if your visit coincides, be sure to plan your restaurant recommendations accordingly.
If your dates are flexible, the second half of January, after Toka Ebisu and before the crowds of February’s Setsubun, tend to be quieter to explore the city. For more on our recommendations on the best times to visit Japan, read our article here.
There’s no better base for January in Kyoto than a traditional machiya in the heart of the city. You’ll be within walking distance of Yasaka Shrine for Hatsumode, close to the Kobo-san and Tenjin-san flea markets, and near enough to sit out the cold winter evenings by your own private garden or engawa. At MACHIYA INNS & HOTELS, our properties in central Kyoto put the city at your doorsteps. Our friendly guest services team can always help advise you on how to enjoy the city and the events offered.
Book a table at locally-loved restaurants to enjoy exquisite kaiseki (course-style) Japanese dinners.
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