Hakata Weather in January

 Season: Winter
 Overview:

1. Hakata has cold weather in January with biting high sea winds.
2. It sees sleet and light rain, distrusted among 9 days.
3. Except for New Year holidays, the rest of time of the month is the shoulder season.

How cold is Hakata in January?

Average Temperature: 3 - 10℃ (37 - 50℉)

January is the chilliest period over the year in Hakata, but temperature seldom drops below freezing. In early and middle January, day temperature is usually 10 - 14℃ (50 - 57℉) while the night one goes down to 2 degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees Fahrenheit) or above. Due to the cold spell, temperature in the end of the month decreases with the lows of 0℃ (32℉) or so. Moreover, the weather is sometimes changeable that you may encounter sunny, rainy and snowy conditions during a few days and even a single day, causing a huge variation in temperature. Close to the sea port, the region often experiences biting heavy sea winds, making you feel colder.

Low Precipitation

The average precipitation in January is around 73mm (2.9 in) spreading over 9 days. 

A majority of rainfall is low or moderate, just lasting for a short time. Do note that it may suddenly begin to rain, or there are multiple rainfalls within one day, so carry rain gear when you go out. 

It rarely snows in January: According to the statistics in last five years, except 2022, each had 3 or 4 snowy days, and it was mostly sleet or light snow with short duration. Given the low snowfall, there is no snow accumulation, and even if there is, it melts away quickly.

Daylight Hours/ Sunshine Hours

With the sunrise at 7:16 - 7:23 and the sunset at 17:20 - 17:48, the average daily length of daylight is roughly 10 hours. There are lots of overcast days during this time, so the sunshine duration averages only 3 hours each day. Short daytime and sunshine hours remind you to arrange a tight schedule for the day. The maximum UV Index in January is 3, so sun protection is not necessary.

See also: Fukuoka Weather in January

What to Wear in Hakata in January

 Clothes: Sufficient indoor heating causes a large temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, so layered clothing is advised. For upper body, bring hoodies and thin sweaters as inner clothes while thick coats and down jackets can be chosen as outer layer. For lower body, fleece-lined pants are highly recommended.

 Footwear: Considering rainfall and wide areas of scenic spots, choose comfortable hiking shoes with a non-slip property. Also, bring high ankle socks.

 Others: Pack thick gloves, scarves, beanies and facial masks to ward off strong sea winds. Carry your own thermal bottle and drink hot water to keep warm. January is a bit dry with the relative humidity of 63%, so moisturizing cream is helpful to avoid your skin dehydration.

Travel Advice for Hakata in January

1. Locals enjoy a short vacation from January 1 to 3 when restaurants, cafes and yatais (portable food stalls) are packed with people and the prices of hotels and airline tickets increases, so early reservation is a wise decision because it may save much waiting time and travel spending. Meanwhile, lots of small restaurants are closed during this time, but good news is that most attractions remain open, without a huge impact on your travel. Except that time period, other time of the month is the shoulder season, giving you a cost-effective trip experience.
2. The winter light shows are usually going on in January, and the best viewing sites include the Sun Plaza Stage of Canal City Hakata and the plaza in front of JR Hakata Station. If you plan to go there in January of 2026, don’t miss the dazzling light shows.
3. On the fifth floor of Canal City Hakata is Ramen Stadium, bringing together eight famous ramen restaurants with different flavors across Japan. Given that Hakata is very popular for its tonkotsu ramen, so it’s advisable to order a bowl of which to warm your body in the cold climate of Hakata in January.
4. Toka Ebisu Shrine is usually a quiet place, but gets hectic during Toka Ebisu, a new year festival held from January 8 to January 11, when you can buy lottery tickets to pay for business prosperity and family fortune. At 15:00 on January 9, you also see geishas. Meanwhile, nearby streets are lined with more than 400 food stalls selling local snacks. 

Hakodate Weather by Month