Japan is settling into a classic winter pattern this week. A strong cold air mass arrives around January 21–22, bringing heavy snow to the Sea of Japan coast and sharply colder temperatures nationwide. Conditions briefly ease on January 23, before winter weather strengthens again from January 24–25.

Northern areas like Sapporo will be firmly wintry, central cities such as Tokyo will feel crisp and cold, and southern spots like Naha remain comparatively mild. If you are traveling along the Sea of Japan coast, be prepared for heavy snowfall from January 21 onward, with possible heavy snow warnings. Updates are typically issued around 11 AM and 5 PM, so it is worth checking regularly.

No typhoons are currently in the forecast for this week in Japan.

Japan's typhoon season runs from May through October, with most activity from July to September. During a typhoon, transit delays and cancellations can be expected. Be sure to stay updated on the latest weather and flight information. For real-time updates on railways and airports, visit LIVE JAPAN's transport information page.

December in Japan feels like a meeting of two seasons. Early in the month, you can still catch the last bursts of autumn color in places like Tokyo and Kyoto, where parks and temples glow in warm reds and golds until around the middle of the month.

The weather is cool, dry, and comfortable for walking around or unwinding in an onsen hot spring. As winter settles in, cities light up with dazzling illuminations that brighten gardens, shopping streets, and seasonal events.

Christmas and New Year preparations add to the festive mood, and you’ll find plenty of hearty nabe, winter seafood, and warm drinks on menus everywhere. It’s an easy month to enjoy both late-autumn beauty and the excitement of Japan’s early winter.

Tokyo is settling into a crisp, dry winter rhythm. After some early cloud cover, most days will bring a mix of sunshine and passing clouds, with very little chance of rain. The big change comes midweek, when daytime highs drop into the 7–10°C (45–50°F) range and stay there. Mornings will feel especially cold, with overnight lows falling to around 0°C (32°F), making early starts noticeably frosty.

Sapporo is fully in winter mode. Expect cloudy skies and frequent snow throughout the week, with heavier snowfall around the middle of the period. Even toward the end of the week, snow chances remain around 50 percent. Daytime highs settle between −2°C and −4°C (28–25°F), while overnight lows regularly plunge from −7°C to −10°C (19–14°F), making it feel bitterly cold.

Sendai is looking cold but mostly stable. After a brief mix of rain or snow at the start, the rest of the week brings mixed sun and clouds with much lower precipitation chances. Daytime highs hover around 3°C (37°F), while mornings and evenings stay frosty, with lows near −3°C (27°F).

Osaka shifts quickly from mild conditions into full winter cold. Daytime highs drop from around 15°C (59°F) early in the week to a chilly 7–8°C (45–46°F). Nights stay cold, with lows near 1°C (34°F). Skies will be mostly cloudy with occasional sun, and precipitation chances remain relatively low, making sightseeing manageable despite the cold.

Fukuoka sees a sharp cooldown after a mild start. Daytime temperatures settle into the 5–7°C (41–45°F) range, with overnight lows just above freezing. Skies remain mostly cloudy all week, and there is a steady 40–50 percent chance of precipitation, with rain or even a light snow mix possible toward the weekend.

Naha starts off warm but cools down quickly. Highs drop from the low 20s°C into the mid-to-high teens, around 17–19°C (63–66°F), and stay there. Overnight lows sit around 13°C (55°F). Skies turn mostly overcast, with a consistent 40 percent chance of rain through the weekend.

The forecast was AI-generated and then human-edited. Source for forecast and images: Japan Meteorological Agency website (www.jma.go.jp)

Whether you're planning to be in Japan this week or later this year, check out these fun things you can add to your itinerary!