Japan Tours in January 2026
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10 best Japan trips in January 2026
Compiled by
SteffJapan travel expert at TourRadar
- Japan Winter Wonder (Classic)
- Japan Winter Delight with Snow Monkey
- Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
- Explore Japan: Snow Monkey & Onsen (Private Guided)
- 11 Day Explorer Central Japan Snow Monkey Park（Private Guide and Driver）
- 13 Day Wonders of Central Japan Snow Monkey Park （Private Guide and Driver）
- Active Northern Japan: Winter in Hokkaido
- Active Northern Japan: Winter in Tokyo & Hokkaido
- 9 Days Splendid Japan Deluxe with Nagoya(4 star hotels)
- Japan: Land of the Rising Sun (20 destinations)
Japan Winter Wonder (Classic)
17 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Answers every question with a smile, and will go out of her way to personally lead you to the best Ice Cream around!”
Saccman11, traveled in February
Duration 10 days Destinations Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Hakone Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator Contiki January departure dates
See All Departure Dates3 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left 7 Jan, 2026 7 spaces left From $4,915
10% Off- NZ$4,424You save $491
Duration 9 days Destinations Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Nagano, Shirakawa-go, Gifu, Nara, Osaka Age Range 2 to 90 year olds Operator Stunning Tours January departure dates
See All Departure Dates8 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left 22 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left From $6,643
50% Off- NZ$3,322You save $3,322
Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
31 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The activities and sightseeing were amazing. I felt like we ticked so many boxes in such a short amount of time.”
Caz, traveled in January
Duration 11 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagano Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Operator One Life Adventures January departure dates
See All Departure Dates12 Jan, 2026 8 spaces left 26 Jan, 2026 10 spaces left From $4,095
10% Off- NZ$3,686You save $410
Explore Japan: Snow Monkey & Onsen (Private Guided)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It's an incredible and unforgettable Journey! The entire trip was well-organized, and every detail was carefully taken care of.”
Cecia, traveled in November
Duration 10 days Destinations Tokyo, Nagano, Takayama, Kyoto, Osaka Age Range 1 to 85 year olds Operator Odynovo January departure dates
See All Departure Dates1 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left 2 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left From $6,396
10% Off- NZ$5,756You save $640
Duration 11 days Destinations Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Nagano, Jigokudani Valley, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, UjiSee all destinations Age Range 1 to 85 year olds Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd January departure dates
See All Departure Dates1 Jan, 2026 10 spaces left 2 Jan, 2026 10 spaces left From $13,092
20% Off- NZ$10,474You save $2,618
Duration 13 days Destinations Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Hakone, Nagano, Jigokudani Valley, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Kyoto, FushimiSee all destinations Age Range 1 to 85 year olds Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd January departure dates
See All Departure Dates1 Jan, 2026 10 spaces left 2 Jan, 2026 10 spaces left From $14,824
20% Off- NZ$11,859You save $2,965
Duration 9 days Destinations Tokyo, Shiretoko National Park, Lake Akan, Asahikawa, Sapporo Age Range 12 to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures January departure dates
29 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left From
20% Off- NZ$7,199
Duration 11 days Destinations Tokyo, Shiretoko National Park, Asahikawa, Sapporo Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures January departure dates
27 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left From
20% Off- NZ$8,199
9 Days Splendid Japan Deluxe with Nagoya(4 star hotels)
27 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Hotel accommodation were outstanding. We liked everything about the tour including tour guide Haruto.”
Nina, traveled in June
Duration 9 days Destinations Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Nagoya, Nagano, Mount Fuji, Tokyo Age Range 2 to 90 year olds Operator Stunning Tours From $8,803
50% Off- NZ$4,402You save $4,402
Japan: Land of the Rising Sun (20 destinations)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The accommodations were good, the food was excellent, and the tour was exactly what I wanted.”
Elham, traveled in April
Duration 13 days Destinations Tokyo, Nikko, Hakone, Fuji, Takayama, Gifu, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Himeji, Kyoto Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel January departure dates
See All Departure Dates11 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left 25 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left From $8,350
10% Off- NZ$7,515You save $835
What people love about Japan Tours in January
- Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
As a first-time traveller to Japan, this was an incredible experience and one I highly recommended to other like-minded explorers. Over 11 days, our group travelled from Tokyo to Nagano, experiencing everything from temples and shrines, to an authentic kendo experience, and even viewing the snow monkeys! The itinerary was never bare, but it also allowed plenty of time to explore at your own pace. A winter trip and strategic planning ensured minimal crowds when visiting the major tourist hotspots (such as Fushimi Inari Taisha), and when we did encounter the crushing bustle of people (usually on the train!) it seemed like an addition to the experience rather than a constant nightmare. We definitely couldn’t have had the experience we did though if it wasn’t for our tour guide, Jordan. Always cool, calm, and collected, Jordan’s knowledge of the country and his impeccable organisation ensured that we were always where we needed to be, and that we were experiencing the best of Japan without worrying about if we were going to miss crucial transport or activities. When we did run into a road block (the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building was closed), Jordan smoothly pivoted and we had an equally awesome time at the Skytree instead. We also all appreciated Jordan’s food and activity recommendations during free time, and learned way more about the regions we were visiting than if we’d explored on our own. Overall, I had an amazing trip and I would strongly recommend this tour to anyone considering travelling to Japan (and while I can’t speak for all the members of the group, I’m sure they’d agree!). Thank you Jordan, and thank you One Life Adventures!
- Explore Japan: Snow Monkey & Onsen (Private Guided)
We are a family of 4 and traveled with Odynovo to Japan last November. It's an incredible and unforgettable Journey! The entire trip was well-organized, and every detail was carefully taken care of. Our guide was professional and knowledgeable, sharing interesting cultural and historical insights while also being flexible to accommodate our needs. The transportation, hotels, and dining arrangements were all beyond our expectations. We will definitely recommend Odynovo to our friends and use it again for our upcoming trip!
The 11 day Stunning Tour to Japan was exciting, educational and just the right length to see a little bit of everything. The guide Ayumi was generous with her time, knowledge and humor. I would recommend this trip if you like surprises, we got snowed on.
9 Days Splendid Japan Deluxe with Nagoya(4 star hotels)
What our customers ask about Japan Tours in January 2026
What is the weather like in Japan during January?
Japan experiences its coldest temperatures in January with significant regional variations. Tokyo sees temperatures ranging from 2-10°C (35-50°F) while Hokkaido can plunge to -20°C (-4°F). The Lake Akan Tsuruga Wings hotel provides front-row views of frozen lakes and snow-dusted mountains that define the winter landscape. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The winter landscapes were breathtaking especially around Lake Akan where we could witness hundreds of red-crowned cranes gathered in the river at sunrise."
Are there any special festivals or events in Japan during January?
January brings several notable celebrations across Japan. The Sapporo Snow Festival draws crowds to see large-scale ice sculptures while Tokyo hosts the traditional Sumo New Year Basho. Local temples and shrines come alive with New Year (Shogatsu) festivities. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "The Sapporo Snow Festival was incredible with over 60 international teams competing to build massive snow sculptures reaching over 15m in height."
Which locations in Japan are best to visit in January?
Winter creates ideal conditions for visiting Hakone's hot springs with views of Mt. Fuji snow-covered Kyoto temples and Tokyo's extensive indoor attractions. Strategic bases include THE GATE HOTEL RYOGOKU in Tokyo and the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa in Hakone both offering easy access to winter activities and sightseeing.
Which Japanese hot springs (onsen) are best to visit in January?
The winter months make hot spring visits especially rewarding in regions like Hakone and Kusatsu. Hotel Moriaki Ryokan offers outdoor baths with scenic winter views while Kusatsu Onsen's steaming yubatake (hot water fields) create a dramatic winter scene. A TourRadar traveler recalls: "Soaking in an outdoor onsen while snow fell around us was an unforgettable January experience."
Is January a good time for seeing Japanese wildlife?
Winter reveals unique wildlife viewing opportunities particularly in Hokkaido. Visitors can observe red-crowned cranes in Tsurui village snow monkeys bathing in Nagano's hot springs and numerous winter bird species. One TourRadar traveler noted: "Watching the red-crowned cranes dance in the snow at sunrise was a magical experience that could only happen in winter."
How crowded are tourist attractions in Japan during January?
January offers relatively quiet conditions at most attractions except during New Year's week and winter festivals. Visitors can explore popular sites like Tokyo's Senso-ji Temple and Kyoto's Golden Pavilion without large crowds. According to a TourRadar guide: "January offers a unique opportunity to see Japan's most famous sites beautifully decorated in snow with fewer tourists than during cherry blossom season."