According to the chart, which shows the winter climate change in Tokyo from 2015 to 2018, there was a tendency for the average temperature to drop by 2 to 3 degrees from December to January. The cold also appears to peak during these months.

Also, because the temperature in January generally hits a low of less than 2 degrees (C), make sure to prepare against the cold when sightseeing around Tokyo properly. Dress appropriately, such as thick coats and hats, and don't forget your gloves and scarves.

*The cold weather year is indicated by the period between August 1 of the previous year and July 31 of the current year. For example, the cold weather year indicated here is the period from August 1, 2017, to July 31, 2018. Source: JMA


Looking at the number of snow days in Tokyo over the past 10 years, the year with the most snowfall was 2010 with 14 days, and the year with the least was 2013 with only 5 days.

The average number of snow days in the past 10 years is 9.6 days. This means that the opportunity to see snow in Tokyo is limited to about 10 times a year.

So when exactly is the best time with the highest possibility to see snow in Tokyo?

Looking at the number of snow days by month over the past 3 years, we can see that these days are most concentrated through January and February, when the temperature reaches the biggest drop during the year.

If you want to enjoy seeing snowy Tokyo, the best bet would be to visit between January and February.

There is a possibility for snowfall on a day when the temperature is between 0 to 2 degrees (℃) and humidity is low. In brief, as summed up by this single sentence, we understand that a low temperature is one of the biggest concerns regarding snow conditions.

In the upper atmosphere, snow exists regardless of the season; however, it only appears on the earth's surface as snow if the temperature is low enough. On the other hand, if the temperature is too high, the structure of the snow will melt and fall as rain.

In other words, the temperature must remain low for the snow to reach the Earth's surface as snow. One theory also states that when the temperature is roughly 2 degrees (C) or below, atmospheric pressure becomes another key factor affecting snowfall.

Generally, when the 'south coast low pressure' passes south of the Hachijo-jima Islands located south of Tokyo, there is a high possibility that the moist air from the low pressure will cool in the upper-air sky, and snow will fall around Tokyo.

However, it is still difficult even for professional weather forecasters to accurately predict snowfall dates just by reading the air pressure. Therefore, it is probably much simpler and more appropriate to remember that "there is a possibility that snow may fall when the temperature is between 0 to 2 degrees (℃), and humidity is low."

How much snow falls in Tokyo? Looking at the max snowfall amount over the past 10 years, the most snow accumulated was in 2014, at about 27 cm high, or knee-depth.

While it wasn't enough to make walking impossible, it was a dangerous amount for people traveling by bicycle or motorcycle.

It also impacted various transportation facilities, causing delays and cancellations for most Tokyo railways, and road closings on some highways connecting Tokyo with other regions.

One should bear in mind that when snowfall in Tokyo reaches an amount high enough to classify it as 'heavy,' it is likely to have the biggest impact on transportation.

Now, what about snowfall in Nagoya and Osaka, two other major Japanese cities in line with Tokyo?

Compared with Osaka and Nagoya, the number of snow days in Tokyo is smaller throughout the year, while snow accumulation tends to be greater. However, in Osaka, the number of snow days is greater than in Tokyo, yet snow accumulation rarely reaches over 5 cm.

Compared with other major cities of Japan, we can see that the amount of snowfall in Tokyo is relatively large.

Advantages of Snowfall in Tokyo:
・In place of the usually cold, robotic, high-rise-lined streets of Tokyo City, fantastic winter scenery can be seen.
・You can enjoy a different kind of sightseeing experience at popular tourist spots such as Tokyo Tower, Skytree, and Senso-ji in Asakusa.

Disadvantages of Snowfall in Tokyo:
· Train delays and cancellations
· Road congestion
· Highway closings
· Flight cancellations
· Slippery ground, increased chance of injury while walking

In conclusion, yes, you can definitely experience snowfall in Tokyo. Compared with other major cities of Japan, such as Nagoya and Osaka, though snowfall days in Tokyo are few, it can be as heavy as 20cm in depth when snow does fall.

If you want to sightsee around Tokyo's snowy landscape, the best recommended period to do so is between January and February, when the temperature reaches its lowest point in the year.

If you are lucky enough to experience the snowy days of Tokyo, the winter scenery of the city is sure to become a memory you will cherish for the rest of your life.