The coldest month, and one of the most rewarding. The air is dry and clear, the crowds are gone, and the snow country is at full depth.
Weather
Crisp and dry on the Pacific side: Tokyo sits around 2-10°C with blue winter skies. The Japan Sea coast and Hokkaido get serious snow; Sapporo lives below zero.
What's on
Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year, fills Meiji Jingu and Fushimi Inari in the first days. The New Year sales start January 2; fukubukuro lucky bags sell out by mid-morning.
Where to go
Niseko and Nozawa Onsen for powder. Ginzan Onsen and Kusatsu for steaming streets in the snow. Kyoto is at its quietest all year.
On the table
Nabe hotpots, fugu in Osaka, hot sake. Convenience-store oden starts making sense.
