Tokyo · Month comparison
January vs November
November ranks #1 overall vs January at #5. Peak autumn foliage — arguably Tokyo's most beautiful month, rivalling cherry blossom.
January
#5 of 12 months
Best match
Cold and clear — excellent for New Year temple visits and uncrowded Shibuya.
- ↑New Year (Oshōgatsu) celebrations at Meiji Shrine are a once-in-a-lifetime experience if you're willing to brave the queue
- ↑Hotels 30–40% cheaper than cherry blossom season
November
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Peak autumn foliage — arguably Tokyo's most beautiful month, rivalling cherry blossom.
- ↑Koyo peak: ginkgo trees gold, maples deep red — Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Jingu and Hamarikyu spectacular
- ↑Comfortable cool temperatures: 16°C, far more pleasant than spring's crowds and rain
| Factor | January | November |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 4 | 8 |
| Value score | 8 | 5 |
| Crowd score | 8 | 4 |
| Events score | 5 | 7 |
| Atmosphere | 7 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 9.8°C | 16.6°C |
| Monthly rain | 52mm | 93mm |
| Daily sunshine | 6.1hrs | 5.9hrs |
January trade-offs
- ↓Cold enough (2°C overnight) to make long outdoor days uncomfortable without proper layering
- ↓Some seasonal food vendors and outdoor markets closed until spring
- ↓Shorter daylight hours limit photography and exploration time
November trade-offs
- ↓Hotel prices rival spring: book 2–3 months ahead or pay peak rates
- ↓Popular foliage spots (Rikugien, Kokedera in Kyoto) sell out weeks in advance
- ↓International tourist numbers have grown sharply in recent years — no longer the secret season
Scores compare months within Tokyo. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →