Things to do in Nagano in January

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Overview

January is a great time to visit Nagano. The weather is usually really cold with a gentle breeze, with temperatures ranging from 20—33°F (-7—0°C).

Nagano has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your January trip to Nagano. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to January. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Nagano in January. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout January, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Best events and things to do in Nagano in January

Top experiences in January
We couldn't find any experiences in January
Holidays in Nagano in January
January
  • New Year's Day (January 1)
  • January 1 Bank Holiday (January 1)
  • January 2 Bank Holiday (January 2)
  • January 3 Bank Holiday (January 3)
  • Coming of Age Day (January 13)
Other notable holidays
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Weather in Nagano in January

Temperatures on an average day in Nagano in January

The average temperature in Nagano in January for a typical day ranges from a high of 33°F (0°C) to a low of 20°F (-7°C). Some would describe it as really cold with a gentle breeze.

For comparison, the hottest month in Nagano, August, has days with highs of 82°F (28°C) and lows of 67°F (19°C). The coldest month, January has days with highs of 33°F (0°C) and lows of 20°F (-7°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Nagano in January based on historical data.

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Historical temperature average in January
33°F
highs
20°F
lows

General weather summary

Really cold with a gentle breeze
Feels like
31%
Chance of rain
0.145 in
Amount
14.7 mph
Wind speed
88%
Humidity
9.9 hrs
Daylight length
6:57 AM
Sunrise
4:54 PM
Sunset
51%
Cloud cover
Thick winter coat with gloves
What to wear
What to wear in January
With an average high of 33°F (0°C) and a low of 20°F (-7°C), it generally feels really cold with a gentle breeze. There might also be a small chance of rain. With that in mind, most people would dress in something toasty like a thick winter coat with gloves
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Best attractions for Nagano in January

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Nagano has to offer for travelers in January, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Nagano that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Nagano for January.
Zenkōji temple
1. Zenkōji temple
4.5
(21757)
Buddhist temple
Sights & Landmarks
This renowned Buddhist temple founded in the 7th century features picturesque grounds & a museum.
Togakushi Shrine Okusha (Main Shrine) Zuishinmon
2. Togakushi Shrine Okusha (Main Shrine) Zuishinmon
4.6
(662)
Shinto shrine
Sights & Landmarks
Togakushi-Jinja
3. Togakushi-Jinja
4.4
(4978)
Shinto shrine
Sights & Landmarks
Shinto site consisting of 5 shrines, with paths lined by soaring Japanese cedar trees.
Kagami ike pond
4. Kagami ike pond
4.2
(1784)
Scenic spot
Nature & Parks
Mountain-backed lake with reflective, still waters, hiking trails & colorful foliage.
Matsushiro Castle Ruins
5. Matsushiro Castle Ruins
3.9
(1518)
Castle
Sights & Landmarks
The original castle on this site was built in 1560 although the current version is a reconstruction.
Nagano Prefectural Art Museum
6. Nagano Prefectural Art Museum
4.2
(1746)
Art museum
Museums
Showrooms of paintings & calligraphy by artists linked to emerging styles of the early 20th century.
MIDORI Nagano
7. MIDORI Nagano
3.9
(2261)
Shopping mall
Shopping
Bustling shopping center providing a variety of boutiques, a grocery store & eateries.
Sanada Treasure Hall
8. Sanada Treasure Hall
4.0
(516)
Museum
Specialty Museums
Museum complex & garden featuring weapons & antique furniture from the Sanada family.
Matsushiro Underground Imperial Headquarters
9. Matsushiro Underground Imperial Headquarters
4.2
(947)
Historical landmark
Ruin
WWII underground bunker complex was built in 1944 as a fallback headquarters for the Imperial Army.
Togakushi Folk Museum / Ninja House
10. Togakushi Folk Museum / Ninja House
4.1
(65)
Local history museum
Museums
Matsushiro Castle Ruins
11. Matsushiro Castle Ruins
3.9
(1518)
Castle
Sights & Landmarks
The original castle on this site was built in 1560 although the current version is a reconstruction.
Sanada Park
12. Sanada Park
3.8
(254)
Park
Sights & Landmarks
Kids’ Ninja Village
13. Kids’ Ninja Village
4.3
(1169)
Theme park
Water & Amusement Parks
Indoor/outdoor children's theme park with ninja games like blow darts or ninja star throwing.
Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden
14. Togakushi Forest Botanical Garden
4.3
(409)
Botanical garden
Nature & Parks
Kawanakajima Old Battlefield
15. Kawanakajima Old Battlefield
3.9
(2355)
Historical place
Sights & Landmarks
Large park on the site of a 1500s battlefield, with historical exhibits, paths & leafy picnic areas.
Togakushi-Jinja
16. Togakushi-Jinja
4.4
(4978)
Shinto shrine
Sights & Landmarks
Shinto site consisting of 5 shrines, with paths lined by soaring Japanese cedar trees.

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Nagano?

Get inspired for your trip to Nagano with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

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