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 Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
- Japan Winter Delight with Snow Monkey
- Explore Japan: Snow Monkey & Onsen (Private Guided)
- Japan Winter Wonder (Classic)
- 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 Tokyo & Hokkaido
- Active Northern Japan: Winter in Hokkaido
- 9 Days Splendid Japan Deluxe with Nagoya(4 star hotels)
- Japan Share a Trip
Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
29 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This organised tour allowed us to experience so many activities I never would have considered.”
Natalie, 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
- NZ$3,877
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 $6,740
50% Off- NZ$3,370You save $3,370
Explore Japan: Snow Monkey & Onsen (Private Guided)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“He exceeded our expectations and is already working on another vacation for us.”
Katie, traveled in February
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 $6,488
10% Off- NZ$5,840You save $648
Japan Winter Wonder (Classic)
17 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Had the best time! The tour manager really made everything easy.”
Camille, traveled in March
Duration 10 days Destinations Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Hakone Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator Contiki January departure dates
See All Departure Dates7 Jan, 2026 7 spaces left 14 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left From $4,915
10% Off- NZ$4,424You save $491
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 $13,282
20% Off- NZ$10,626You save $2,656
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 $15,039
20% Off- NZ$12,032You save $3,007
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
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
9 Days Splendid Japan Deluxe with Nagoya(4 star hotels)
24 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We saw the beauty of Japan in the mountains and surrounding areas. Once we got to Tokyo the blooms were everywhere.”
Robert, traveled in April
Duration 9 days Destinations Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Nagoya, Nagano, Mount Fuji, Tokyo Age Range 2 to 90 year olds Operator Stunning Tours From $8,931
50% Off- NZ$4,466You save $4,465
Duration 10 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Vio Travel January departure dates
See All Departure Dates6 Jan, 2026 10 spaces left 7 Jan, 2026 10 spaces left From
50% Off- NZ$3,876
What people love about Japan Tours in January
- Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
Jordan was a fantastic guide, very thoughtful and kept us well informed at all times. The trip was fantastic, so many highlights. My only suggestion would be to have one more night in Osaka and one less in Kyoto. Good variety of activities to do. It was nice having a smaller group too, having done a larger tour in the Phillipines with One Life it was nice to get to know people better and certainly easier to navigate the busy Tokyo rail network.
Fi has passion, energy, enthusiasm, and patience for days! Her excitement for Japan made the tour even more enjoyable. She answered our questions and was always available if we got turned around or needed a free time recommendation. She had a great sense of humor and can handle a challenging group with ease. If I can, I'd like to travel on another on her tours someday! Thanks Fi!! -Lindsey
Japan Winter Wonder (Classic)
I was amazed at the overall experience myself and 3 friends had on our tour in March, with the best tour guide ever, Ayumi. She is knowledgeable, kind, and an overall delight to know. The tour offered a glimpse at life and customs of Japan, and we thought we were the luckiest group with our guide, who became our friend throughout. Thank you for this opportunity Stunning Tours. I want to return!
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."