A first weekend in Tokyo: Asakusa, Ueno and Shibuya
Asakusa on foot: Senso-ji, Nakamise and the Sumida River
Shinjuku Gyoen: a garden walk with ponds, lawns and a tea breakAn example packing list for Tokyo in January
Use this as a starting point and choose what suits your plans. Packtricia tailors your list and quantities to your trip length, weather and preferences.
Clothing
- Underwear
- Bras (if worn)
- Socks
- Sleepwear
- Long-sleeved tops
- Trousers
- Light sweater or cardigan
- Warm jacket
- Hooded waterproof jacket
- Water-resistant walking shoes
- Scarf
Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash or soap
- Deodorant
- Skincare products
- Sunscreen
- Hairbrush or comb
- Shaving supplies (if used)
- Menstrual products (if needed)
- Contact lens solution (if used)
Essentials
- Passport or accepted travel ID
- Travel tickets and booking confirmations
- Wallet and payment cards
- Phone
- Charging cable and charger
- Travel adapter (if needed)
- Medication (if needed)
- Glasses or contact lenses (if used)
- Refillable water bottle
- Day bag
- Compact umbrella
- Small towel (if needed for your outings)
- Reusable shopping bag
Monthly weather and packing notes
January is cool with cold mornings, although it is comparatively dry. A warm coat and removable layers work for walking outdoors and stepping into heated transport.
- Daytime
- 8–12°C
- Evenings
- -1–3°C
- Rain
- Occasional rain or wintry showers
- Daylight
- Short days; daylight gradually returns
- Packing style
- Warm layers + a weather-resistant jacket
Broad planning ranges, rounded to about 2 degrees Celsius either side of the historical mean daily maximum and minimum for January. Japan Meteorological Agency lists Tokyo normals for 1991-2020: maximum 9.8°C and minimum 1.2°C. These averages are not forecast limits; individual days and city neighbourhoods vary. Check the forecast for your dates.
Outfit ideas for your outings
A January neighbourhood walk
- Long-sleeved tops and a removable sweater
- Comfortable long trousers
- Broken-in water-resistant walking shoes that are easy to remove
- Warm socks in easy-to-remove walking shoes
A wetter sightseeing day
- Long-sleeved tops and a removable sweater
- Comfortable long trousers
- Broken-in water-resistant walking shoes that are easy to remove
- Compact rain jacket or umbrella
Indoor visits and transport
- Comfortable top
- Trousers or longer skirt
- Easy-to-remove walking shoes
- Clean socks and a removable outer layer
What to leave behind
- Summer-only outfits: bring enough warmth for early starts, evening walks and exposed routes.
- Unworn stiff shoes: test your walking footwear before the trip, especially if your plans involve long outdoor days.
Reviewed 2026-10-07