Nagasaki Weather in January

Season: Winter

In short:
1. The weather of Nagasaki in January is cold overall, with frequent but not heavy rainfalls, wear thick clothes and pack raingear.
2. In January, the daylight is short and the duration of sunlight is rather limited, start your daily tour early.

Temperature

Although January is the coldest month throughout the year in Nagasaki, the temperature here is relatively mild compared with other cities in Japan due to the warm current (Kuroshio Current) in the Pacific Ocean. The minimum average temperature is 4 degrees Celsius (39.2 degrees Fahrenheit), and the maximum average temperature is 10°C (50°F). Coldest days usually happen in early January, when the temperature can drop to -0.5°C (31.1°F), which, however, rarely happens. The highest temperature in late January can be up to 15.6 °C (60.08°F).

But strong winds may occur in January, making the perceived temperature lower. To be on safe side, you’d better pack some warm and windproof clothes when traveling to Nagasaki in January of 2026.

Winter Landscape of Nagasaki in January

Precipitation: More Rainfalls and Rare Snowfalls

The precipitation of Nagasaki in January includes rainfalls and a few snowfalls. According to historical statistics, the average number of wet days in January is approximately 21 and the average precipitation is 92 mm.

Although January is the coldest month in Nagasaki all year round, it rarely snows. There are usually about one to two snowfalls in this month, with the average amount of 20 mm. In most instances, snowfalls are accompanied by rainfalls. It is often the case that snow in the morning turns into rain by afternoon as the temperature slightly rises. If you happen to encounter a snowy morning, do not forget to take an umbrella with you while admiring the snowflakes because you may get wet in the rain after a while.

Generally, the humidity is moderate at about 66%, so you don’t need to worry about the weather being too dry.

Snowy Street View in Nagasaki

Daylight Hours/ Sunshine Hours

In January, sunrise time is basically at around 7:21, and sunset time at around 17:36, so Nagasaki can enjoy about an average of 10 hours of daylight per day during this month. If you want to go sightseeing in good light in January, you’d better get up at sunrise time, make full use of the daylight and finish your daily trip before sunset. The average sunshine hours are also not very long since there are more cloudy and rainy days than sunny days in this period. The approximate daily duration of sunlight is about 3.3 hours on average.

Wearing Thick Kimono in Cold January

Is January a Recommended Month to Visit Nagasaki?

January is not an ideal month to visit Nagasaki in terms of the cold climate. Coldness runs through most of the month. The rain in January is not heavy though, it occurs intermittently throughout the entire month, which is not conducive to travel. Besides, daylight time of January is much less than other months, so your daily time for outdoor activities is limited.

Moreover, the New Year holiday in early January is the peak travel season. During this time, there are a large number of tourists at scenic spots, and the prices of tickets, accommodation and meals also increases.

What to Wear in Nagasaki in January?

Upper

You can just wear a thermal underwear plus a wool sweater or thick hoodie in the room as the indoor temperature is not as cold as the outdoors. When you hang out, you can add a padded jacket on the outside. In the morning and evening, a down coat on the outside is better.

Bottoms
A thermal inner layer plus thick sweat pants as the outer layer are recommended when you are outside.

Shoes
Rainy days are relatively frequent in January, so thick-soled shoes are highly recommended to prevent your feet being wet. If it doesn’t rain, you can wear snow boots. Thermal socks can be an additional choice to keep your feet warm.

Others
In case it rains when you are outside, it is necessary to bring an umbrella. Besides, Nagasaki in January can possibly be harassed by the cold northwest wind, making the perceived temperature lower, so it is a wise idea to bring gloves, wool scarf, earmuff and hat to avoid frostbite. Plus, the thermal mug is good for you along your journey as you can drink warm water to keep your body warm in the cold weather.

Smart Plan for Nagasaki Trip in January

In the morning in January when the temperature is low, you can visit the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, the famous indoor attraction, where you will be impressed by both the historic tragedy and the tenacious spirit of survival of this city.

After lunch when the temperature rises, you can visit the outdoor sites like Nagasaki Hypocenter Park, the Glover Garden, or the Meganebashi Bridge.

The Prefectural Art Museum will not close before 8 p.m. If you don’t want to return to your accommodation place right after the sunset when the temperature drops, you can visit this attraction in which you will see various historical art collections and temporary exhibitions.

Shinchi Chinatown in Winter

Travel Tips for Nagasaki Trip in January

Nagasaki Railway Station in Winter

Daylight hours are shorter in January, so you’d better take full advantage of your daytime by planning your travel route rationally in case you get back to your accommodation place too late.

Always double check the weather before you hang out. If the weather forecast indicates that it is cloudy, it is necessary to bring an umbrella in case it rains after a few hours.

Many restaurants in Nagasaki require reservations, so it is recommended that you make reservations in advance to avoid queuing in the cold weather.

Also book your flight or scenic spot tickets and reserve the hotel in advance if you plan to travel in early January of 2026 when it is time for the New Year holiday. At that time, there are more tourists than usual and the tickets and hotel rooms can be booked out.

Nagasaki Weather by Month

January February March April May June July August September October November December

7-Day Nagasaki Weather Forecast