January is Fukuoka’s coldest month, but it is rarely a harsh one. Days are cool and often bright, snow is uncommon, and the city stays easy to get around with a stroller or a tired five-year-old.
The catch is the calendar. The first days of the month are New Year holidays, when many places close, and then Coming-of-Age weekend brings big shrine crowds. This guide shows what to expect so you can plan around both.
Weather figures come from the Japan Meteorological Agency’s long-term averages for Fukuoka. Event dates are the fixed annual ones, and anything specific to 2027 is marked so you can check it before you book.
Is Fukuoka in January Good for Families? (Quick Answer)
Yes, Fukuoka in January suits families who like cool, mostly dry days and fewer crowds after the first week. Expect about 4 to 10°C, pack real layers, avoid January 1 to 3 for sightseeing because many places close, and plan indoor backups for rainy or windy afternoons.
Fukuoka Weather in January
These are the JMA climate normals for Fukuoka city in January. Use them as a guide, not a forecast.
| Measure | January average |
|---|---|
| Mean temperature | 6.9°C |
| Average daily high | 10.2°C |
| Average daily low | 3.9°C |
| Precipitation | 74.4 mm over about 7.4 days |
| Snow | About 1 day, with a maximum depth of around 1 cm |
| Sunshine | About 104 hours |
So most days are cold rather than freezing, and snow in the city is a rare light dusting. If snow is on your wish list, our guide to snow in Kyushu explains where it actually falls.
What to Wear and Pack with Kids
Dress in layers, because buildings, trains and shopping malls are well heated while the outdoors is not.
- Base layer: a thin long-sleeve top that can stay on indoors.
- Middle layer: fleece or a light sweater.
- Outer layer: a windproof coat. Shrines and the waterfront can feel colder than the average suggests.
- Extras: hats, gloves and a compact umbrella for the occasional rainy day.
- Babies and toddlers: a stroller blanket or footmuff makes shrine visits far more comfortable.
Disposable hand warmers are sold cheaply at any convenience store and are a favourite with kids standing in queues.
New Year Closures: Plan Around January 1 to 3
In Japan the first days of January are a family holiday, so some shops, restaurants and attractions close or shorten their hours. The pattern changes from place to place and year to year, so treat what follows as a guide and check each official site.
- Fukuoka City Science Museum: for the 2025-26 holiday it closed from December 28 to January 1 and reopened on January 2, according to its official announcement. Check the 2026-27 schedule before you go.
- Marine World Uminonakamichi: last season it stayed open through the New Year period and opened at 10:00 on January 1, per its official notice. Confirm the 2026-27 notice.
- Fukuoka Anpanman Children’s Museum in Mall: search results list closed days on December 31, 2026 and January 1, 2027. Confirm on the official site.
- Department stores and restaurants: many shorten hours or close for a few days, so do not assume lunch will be easy on January 1 or 2.
Stock up on snacks and drinks before the holiday. Convenience stores stay open and are the safest fallback.
January Events Worth Planning Around
Hakozaki Shrine Tamaseseri (January 3)
Every January 3, Hakozaki Shrine holds the Tamaseseri, a traditional New Year ritual where groups compete for a sacred wooden ball. Last year it ran from about 13:00 to 14:30, and children compete first before the adults.
It is lively and loud, with water thrown over the competitors, and crowds can reach tens of thousands. Arrive early, watch from the edge and keep small children close. Our family hatsumode guide covers the other New Year shrine visits.
Tooka Ebisu Festival (January 8 to 11)
Tooka Ebisu is Hakata’s big start-of-year festival for business luck. It runs from January 8 to 11 every year, with bamboo-grass branches decorated with lucky charms and plenty of food stalls.
In 2027 January 8 is a Friday and January 11, Coming-of-Age Day, is a Monday. That makes the 9th to 11th a three-day weekend, so expect the heaviest crowds then. A weekday morning on the 8th is easier with kids.
Dazaifu Tenmangu on January 7
Dazaifu Tenmangu holds its Usokae and Onisube rituals on the evening of January 7, according to event listings. They are atmospheric but run late and draw a crowd, so they suit older children better than toddlers. For a calmer visit, see our relaxed Dazaifu half-day guide.
Dondo-yaki bonfires
In early to mid January, shrines across Japan burn old New Year decorations in bonfires called dondo-yaki. Dates and locations vary by shrine and we have not confirmed any for 2027, so ask at your hotel or check the shrine’s own page.
Strawberry Picking Season
January is a good time for strawberries in northern Kyushu, and picking is one of the easiest warm indoor-style outings for kids. Farms usually run timed all-you-can-eat sessions, and many need advance booking.
Past-season prices we found were roughly ¥1,800 to ¥3,200 for adults for 40 to 60 minutes. Prices and booking rules change each season, so check the farm’s page. Our strawberry picking guide lists farms and what to book.
Indoor Plan B When It Rains or Turns Cold
Top Things to Do in Fukuoka
Instant confirmation for most tickets
With roughly 7 rainy days in the month, keep a few indoor options ready.
| Place | Best for | Cost and hours |
|---|---|---|
| Marine World Uminonakamichi | All ages, easy half day | Adults ¥2,500, elementary and junior high ¥1,200, ages 3 to pre-school ¥700. Usually 9:30-17:30, last entry 16:30. |
| Fukuoka City Science Museum | Ages 5 and up | 5F basic exhibit ¥510 adult, ¥200 elementary and junior high. Closed Tuesdays normally. |
| Fukuoka Anpanman Children’s Museum in Mall | Toddlers to early elementary | About ¥2,000-2,200 per person aged 1 and up. Usually 10:00-17:00. |
| Canal City Hakata | Mixed ages, food and shopping | Free entry. Indoor play areas charge separately. |
Prices and hours are from official sites at the time of writing and can change. Our Fukuoka rainy-day guide and Anpanman museum guide go further.
Marine World is on the seaside, so the walk from the car park or station can be windy in winter. Our Marine World guide has tips for tickets and strollers.
Crowds and the Best Weeks to Visit
- January 1 to 3: quiet city streets, many closures, busy shrines.
- Around January 8 to 11: Tooka Ebisu and the Coming-of-Age holiday weekend.
- Mid to late January: usually the calmest and cheapest stretch of winter, with shorter queues at the main attractions.
If you can choose your dates, the second half of January is the easiest for families. It is also a good time to look at our Kyushu January and February guide.
A Simple 3-Day Plan for January
- Day 1: Marine World in the morning and a seaside walk if the weather is clear.
- Day 2: Strawberry picking on a pre-booked slot, then an easy afternoon at Canal City.
- Day 3: Dazaifu Tenmangu in the morning, then the science museum or Anpanman museum.
For a longer winter trip, see our 3-day Fukuoka winter itinerary and the Kyushu in December guide if you are arriving before the New Year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Fukuoka with kids?
Yes, especially after the first week. Days are cool and often sunny, crowds are smaller and winter attractions are open. Avoid January 1 to 3 for sightseeing, because many places close.
How cold is Fukuoka in January?
JMA normals show an average high of about 10°C and a low of about 4°C. It feels colder in wind, so pack layers and a windproof coat.
Does it snow in Fukuoka in January?
Rarely. The long-term average is about one snow day in January with a maximum depth of about 1 cm. Mountain areas elsewhere in Kyushu see more.
What is closed in Fukuoka on January 1?
Many shops, restaurants and some attractions close or shorten hours. The science museum closed December 28 to January 1 last season. Check each place’s official notice for 2026-27.
When is Tooka Ebisu in 2027?
It is held from January 8 to 11 every year. In 2027 that is Friday to Monday, and the Monday is Coming-of-Age Day, so the weekend is very busy.
Can kids watch the Hakozaki Tamaseseri?
Yes, but it is crowded and boisterous. Children compete in their own round first. Watch from the edge, arrive early and keep small children close.
Is strawberry picking open in January?
Yes, the season usually runs from around late December through spring. Many farms need advance booking, and prices change each season, so check the farm’s page.
What should we do in Fukuoka on a rainy January day?
Marine World, the science museum, the Anpanman museum and Canal City are all indoors. Our rainy-day guide has more ideas by age.
Where to Stay in Fukuoka