Osaka Weather in January

Season: Winter
In Short: Freezing cold, dry, mostly clear

The Osaka weather in January is freezing cold. Even in the daytime, the temperature still remains low and the mean high temperature is only 9°C (48.2°F). The sensible temperature is even lower than actual temperature. Although it’s cold, it seldom rains or snows in this month. In most of the time in January, the weather in Osaka is clear and dry.

Temperature

The average temperature is 6°C (42.8°F). In January, the temperature doesn’t change much and keeps stable. There’s only a 6°C (42.8°F) difference between the average high and low temperature. No matter when you are about to travel, thick and warm clothes are needed.
Average High Temperature: 9°C / 48.2°F

Average Low Temperature: 3°C / 37.4°F

Rainfall

The most typical feature of Osaka weather in January is dry because of the lack of rain. The rainfall in this month is only 47mm averagely. Even in the rare rainy days, the moisture disappears quickly. It is advisable to use lip pomade and body lotion in this month.
Average Rainy Days: 6 days
Average Humidity: 57%

Sunrise & Sunset

The sun rises at around 07:03 to 07:12 a.m. and sets at about 18:26 to 18:54 p.m. The daylight hours is about 10h and the sunshine hours is about 4.5h. The sunshine hours are mainly in the afternoon so in the afternoon, the sensible temperature is higher than the rest of the day.
Daylight hours: about 10h
Sunshine hours: around 4.5h

Recommended Clothes to Wear in January

In winter, most of the indoor places start to use central heating system. Wearing an overcoat that is easy to be taken off is recommended.

Girls

Tops: It is advisable for girls to wear long overcoats like wool overcoat and padded overcoat. For innerwear, thermal shirt and wool sweater can be good matches.
Bottoms & shoes: Wearing at least two pairs of pants are recommended in winter. For girls, a sweatpants with fleece long johns inside are good. You can also choose to wear thick leggings with long boots. They can not only keep warm but also match well.

Boys

Tops: Thick down coat or padded overcoat is more suitable for boys in winter. Wearing a closefitting sweater inside can prevent getting cold whether indoors or outdoors.
Bottoms & shoes: Sweatpants and winter pants are both good choices. A pair of hiking shoes can keep warm and make it convenient for traveling. What’s more, a pair of woolen socks are also needed.

Accessories: The three of the most important items in winter can’t be forgotten either. Before going out for traveling, please remember to put on your scarf, gloves and winter hat.

Top Things to Do in Osaka in January

Travel Recommendation:

1. Toka Ebisu Festival, Imamiya Ebisu Shrine

From January 9th to 11th, the Imamiya Ebisu Shrine holds the Toka Ebisu Festival and many people, especially the merchants, join in the festival and pray for the prosperity in the following year. In this festival, visitors can taste different kinds of local food and take the bamboo which symbolizes the good luck from the fukumusume, the lucky girls in shrine. What’s more, this festival also includes grand parade with performances by Japanese entertainers and Kabuki actors. Toka Ebisu Festival is a good chance for visitors to experience the veritable local customs.

2. Hatsumode, Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

Hatsumode means making prayers at temples at the beginning of the year. The Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is the first choice of Osaka people to make prayers. The main shrine, is the most historical building of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine and it has good meanings of prosperous business, elimination of misfortune and good marriage, etc. In early January, countless people come to the shrine and pray for the good luck in the future. The atmosphere is lively with people gathering together and welcoming the New Year.

Tip: Although the whole January is in the time of the Hatsumode in Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, the closing time of each period is a little different. Please check the detailed information on the official website.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in January

3. Natural Hot Spring “Hanafu no Yu”

Hot spring is called onsen in Japanese. The most popular onsen in Osaka is the Hanafu no Yu in Natural Hot Spring Hanakaze-no-yu Onyado Nono Namba, a hotel which is super close to the Dotonbori and Hozenji Temple. Bathing in the Hanafu no Yu can help visitors warm up, and relieve the tiredness and aching muscles after a whole day trip. It also has the bathrooms with standby toiletries which is convenient for visitors to experience the onsen.

4. Kamigata Hot Spring Ikkyu

The Kamigata hot spring is the biggest open-air hot spring in Kansai, central and western regions of Japan. It has many different kinds of onsens and each of them has its own therapeutic effect such as relieving neuralgia and joint pain. Not only are the onsens worth experiencing, but also other facilities are available for visitors. It offers services like massage and hair cutting so don’t forget to enjoy them after your bathing.

Tips:
1. You have to be naked to bath in the onsen because people wearing clothes are not allowed to enter the pools, even the swimsuits.
2. People with tattoos are likely to be turned away by some traditional onsens. If you have tattoos, it is necessary to check with the onsen managers to ask for specific information.
3. It is strongly recommended to wait an hour after eating before having a bath in onsen.
4. If you have cardiovascular disease, it is advisable that you soak in onsens with water temperature below 42℃ (107.6℉).

January Weather for Other Cities in Japan:

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