Tokyo in Winter for Australians: Escaping Summer Heat, Snow Day Trips & City Base Tips

Tokyo in winter is a favourite escape for Australians: from December to February the city is cool, dry and mostly sunny, with average daytime highs of about 10–12°C, while the flight from the east coast is under 10 hours and the time difference is only one or two hours. That means almost no jet lag, but a long stretch in a seat. This guide covers Tokyo’s winter weather, flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, snow day trips by bullet train, illuminations, New Year closures and what to pack.

Fibromyalgia and Acupuncture Treatment

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in specific areas of the body. Affecting approximately 2-4% of the...

Updated October 2026 — reviewed by Sunny Pham Sensei (Lệ Nhật Sensei), Japan National Acupuncture License No. 196186 (鍼師) / 195591 (灸師). Written by the Fuji Wellness team, based locally in Edogawa City, east Tokyo.

Blog content

What is Tokyo’s weather like in winter?

Tokyo winters are much drier and brighter than many Australians expect. Snow in the city itself is uncommon and usually melts within a day; most days are clear, crisp and sunny, with cold mornings and evenings. These are the long-term averages for central Tokyo from the Japan Meteorological Agency (1991–2020 normals):

Month	Avg. high	Avg. low	Rainfall	Sunshine
December	12.0°C	3.8°C	58 mm	174 hours
January	9.8°C	1.2°C	60 mm	193 hours
February	10.9°C	2.1°C	57 mm	170 hours

January is the coldest month. Days are short, with the sun setting around 16:30 in December, so plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and save illuminations and indoor sights for the evening. Coming from a 30°C-plus Australian summer, the first few days can feel properly cold, especially in the wind along the Sumida River.

Flights and the time difference from Australia

From	Approx. nonstop flight time	Examples of nonstop carriers	Tokyo time vs. home (Dec–Feb)
Sydney	about 9.5–10 h	Qantas, JAL, ANA (to Haneda)	Tokyo is 2 h behind (AEDT)
Melbourne	about 10–10.5 h	Qantas, JAL (to Narita)	Tokyo is 2 h behind (AEDT)
Brisbane	about 9–9.5 h	Qantas, Jetstar (to Narita)	Tokyo is 1 h behind (AEST)
Perth	about 9.5 h	ANA, daily for the 2026–27 northern winter (to Narita)	Tokyo is 1 h ahead (AWST)

Jetstar also flies from Cairns and the Gold Coast. Check current schedules with your airline, as many routes are seasonal.

Daylight saving note: NSW, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania and South Australia put their clocks forward on October 4, 2026, until early April 2027. Japan does not use daylight saving, so in the Australian summer Sydney and Melbourne are two hours ahead of Tokyo, Adelaide is 1.5 hours ahead and Brisbane one hour ahead, while Perth is one hour behind. From April to early October, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are just one hour ahead.

Jet lag isn’t the problem: long-flight stiffness is

With a one- or two-hour difference, most Australians land and feel close to normal by the next morning. What catches people out is sitting for 9 to 10 hours, often on an overnight flight after a long day at work. Common complaints are a stiff neck and shoulders, a tight lower back and puffy ankles.

Practical steps based on CDC advice for long flights:

Walk the aisle every two to three hours when it is safe, and choose an aisle seat if you can.
Flex your ankles and tighten and release your calf muscles while seated.
Drink water and go easy on alcohol.
Ask your doctor about compression stockings if you have risk factors for blood clots.

On arrival, a gentle walk and a hot bath at a sento or your hotel usually feel better than heading straight to a 20,000-step day. A swollen, painful calf, chest pain or breathlessness after a flight needs prompt medical attention.

For more, see neck and shoulder stiffness after a long flight and our sore feet walking guide.

Snow day trips from Tokyo

You do not need to fly to Hokkaido for a day in the snow. Two easy options from Tokyo by Shinkansen:

GALA Yuzawa (Niigata): a ski resort built around its own seasonal Shinkansen station, so you step off the train straight into the base building, with ski and snowboard rental on-site. The fastest Joetsu Shinkansen services take about 75 minutes from Tokyo Station; GALA-Yuzawa Station only operates in the ski season, and not every train stops there. In the 2025–26 season the slopes opened on December 20. The 2026–27 dates had not been announced at the time of writing, so check GALA Yuzawa’s official site before booking. Day-use onsen near Echigo-Yuzawa Station make a good finish.
Karuizawa (Nagano): about an hour by Hokuriku Shinkansen. The Karuizawa Prince Hotel Snow Resort, a short walk from the station, uses snowmaking and usually opens early in the season, and is suited to beginners. The large outlet mall next door suits anyone who would rather shop.

Book Shinkansen seats ahead on weekends and around New Year, when ski trains fill up.

Winter illuminations and events

Winter evenings are when Tokyo sparkles. A few to look for, based on recent seasons (2026–27 dates are usually announced in October or November):

Tokyo Skytree Town: the “Dream Christmas” market and illuminations ran from early November to December 25 in 2025.
Marunouchi, near Tokyo Station: champagne-gold lights along Naka-dori ran from mid-November 2025 to mid-February 2026.
Kinshicho: illuminations around Arca Towers ran from mid-November 2025 to the end of January 2026, close to east Tokyo hotels and our clinic.
Hagoita-ichi at Sensoji, Asakusa: a traditional battledore fair held each year on December 17–19.

See Tokyo in December 2026 for more east Tokyo events.

New Year in Tokyo: what closes?

Many Australians are in Tokyo over Christmas and New Year, which is Japan’s most important family holiday. Christmas itself is a normal working day. From about December 29 to January 3:

Usually open: trains, convenience stores, most hotels, big chain restaurants, shrines and temples (very busy from New Year’s Eve to January 3).
Often closed: banks, post offices, many museums and gardens, and small family-run restaurants. Department stores typically close on January 1 and reopen on the 2nd with lucky-bag sales.

Withdraw cash before December 29 and check opening days for each attraction. Our guides to New Year in Tokyo 2027 and calmer hatsumode shrines in east Tokyo cover this in detail. If you would like a session over the holidays, check our News page or message us for year-end hours.

Packing layers and choosing a city base

Packing for Tokyo in winter is about layers rather than heavy snow gear:

A warm, packable down jacket or wool coat, plus a scarf, gloves and a beanie for evenings.
Thermal base layers (convenience stores and clothing chains sell good ones if you forget).
Comfortable, waterproof walking shoes, and proper snow boots only if you are skiing.
Lip balm and moisturiser, as the air is very dry; disposable heat packs (kairo) from any convenience store.
Light layers underneath, because trains, shops and restaurants are well heated.

For your base, the east side works well in winter: Asakusa and Ueno for atmosphere, Kinshicho and Ryogoku for value and direct JR Sobu Rapid trains to Narita (read is Kinshicho a good area to stay?), and Tokyo Station if you plan several Shinkansen snow trips.

If the flight leaves you stiff, Fuji Wellness in Edogawa City is about 20 minutes from Kinshicho, with consultations in English by a Japan-licensed acupuncturist. Many visitors book a session early in their trip to loosen up; research on acupuncture for neck and back pain is mixed, as NCCIH explains. We are open Monday to Thursday 9:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00 and Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 8:00–12:00, closed Fridays, by appointment only. See how to get here.

Frequently asked questions

Is December a good time for Australians to visit Tokyo?

Yes. December is usually dry and sunny with highs around 12°C, autumn leaves can linger into early December, and the Christmas illuminations are at their peak. It is also school-holiday season in Australia, so book flights and hotels early.

Does it snow in Tokyo in winter?

Occasionally, mostly in January and February, but snow in central Tokyo is uncommon and rarely lasts. For reliable snow, take the Shinkansen to GALA Yuzawa in Niigata or to Karuizawa in Nagano as a day trip.

What is the time difference between Sydney and Tokyo in summer?

During Australian daylight saving time (October to April), Sydney and Melbourne are two hours ahead of Tokyo, and Brisbane is one hour ahead. Perth is one hour behind Tokyo all year.

Will Australians get jet lag in Tokyo?

Usually very little, because the time difference is only one or two hours. The bigger issue is stiffness and swelling from sitting on a 9 to 10 hour flight, so move around on the plane and plan a lighter first day.

Is Tokyo closed over New Year?

Not entirely. Trains, convenience stores, hotels and shrines stay open, but banks, many museums and small restaurants close from around December 29 to January 3. Department stores usually close only on January 1.