South Korea in January

January weather, activities, events & insider tips

January Weather in South Korea

-1°C (30°F) High Temp

-11°C (12°F) Low Temp

25 mm (1 inch) Rainfall

65% Humidity

Is January Right for You?

Advantages

Peak winter festival season - Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival and authentic snow experiences without the tourist crowds of February
Hotel rates 30-40% lower than cherry blossom season, with luxury Seoul hotels averaging ₩120,000-180,000 ($90-135) per night
Crystal clear mountain air and impressive snow-covered landscapes at Seoraksan and Jirisan - visibility extends 15-20 km (9-12 miles) on clear days
Authentic Korean winter culture - locals doing ice fishing, hot spring bathing, and consuming seasonal comfort foods like hotteok and bungeoppang

Considerations

Extreme cold requires significant winter gear investment - temperatures feel like -15°C to -20°C (5°F to -4°F) with wind chill
Many hiking trails above 800m (2,625 ft) elevation are closed or require crampons and winter mountaineering experience
Daylight limited to 9.5 hours (sunrise 7:30am, sunset 5:20pm) restricts outdoor activity windows

Best Activities in January

Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival Experience

January is the peak month for Korea's most famous ice festival. Ice is thickest at 30-40 cm (12-16 inches), perfect for safe walking and fishing. Festival runs mid to late January when temperatures consistently stay below -5°C (23°F). Experience authentic Korean winter traditions with locals, not just tourists.

Booking Tip: Book festival packages 2-3 weeks ahead including round-trip transport from Seoul. Prices typically range ₩45,000-65,000 ($35-50) including festival entry, basic equipment, and transport. Look for packages that include indoor warming facilities and hot meal vouchers.

Jeju Island Winter Hiking

Jeju's moderate January temperatures of 5-10°C (41-50°F) make it Korea's premier winter hiking destination while mainland Korea is frozen. Hallasan trails accessible without ice equipment, and dramatic winter ocean views without summer crowds. Clear weather probability is highest in January at 70%.

Booking Tip: Book Jeju accommodation 10-14 days ahead as locals vacation here in January. Hiking guide services cost ₩80,000-120,000 ($60-90) per group. Flight plus hotel packages from Seoul typically ₩180,000-250,000 ($135-190) for 2-3 days.

Seoul Palace Winter Photography Tours

Snow-covered Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung create Korea's most photogenic winter scenes. January snow occurs 12-15 days per month, creating consistent opportunities for traditional architecture against white backdrops. Golden hour happens at 4:30pm, perfect for afternoon tours.

Booking Tip: Photography tours with traditional hanbok rental cost ₩35,000-55,000 ($25-40) for 3-4 hours. Book same-day if fresh snow forecast. Look for tours including indoor cultural activities for warming breaks every 45 minutes.

Busan Coastal Winter Markets

While Seoul freezes, Busan maintains 2-8°C (36-46°F) temperatures perfect for exploring Jagalchi Fish Market and Gukje Market. January is prime season for winter seafood like snow crab and sea bream. Coastal location means less snow and more comfortable walking conditions.

Booking Tip: Food market tours typically cost ₩40,000-60,000 ($30-45) for 3-4 hours with tastings. Busan's January hotel rates are 50% lower than summer. KTX train from Seoul takes 2.5 hours, book 7 days ahead for ₩55,000 ($40) standard class.

Gangwon-do Ski Resort Experiences

January offers Korea's best natural snow conditions with 40-60 cm (16-24 inches) base depth at Pyeongchang and Vivaldi Park. Slopes are less crowded weekdays, and snow quality is powder-like due to consistent sub-zero temperatures. Olympic venues accessible with authentic Korean ski culture.

Booking Tip: Ski day packages from Seoul including transport and lift tickets range ₩85,000-125,000 ($65-95). Book midweek for 30% savings. Equipment rental adds ₩25,000-35,000 ($20-25). Look for packages including indoor hot spring access for après-ski warming.

Traditional Jjimjilbang and Hot Spring Tours

January's extreme cold makes Korean spa culture essential, not optional. Outdoor hot spring pools at places like Spa Land create dramatic contrast with sub-zero air temperatures. This is when locals most authentically use these facilities - for genuine warmth, not just relaxation.

Booking Tip: Premium jjimjilbang experiences cost ₩15,000-35,000 ($12-25) for full day access. Multi-facility tours including transport typically ₩55,000-75,000 ($40-55). Book ahead for weekend popular locations. Look for facilities with outdoor thermal pools and saunas ranging 38-42°C (100-108°F).

January Events & Festivals

Mid to Late January

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

Korea's largest winter festival featuring ice fishing, snow sculptures, and traditional winter sports. Over 1 million visitors experience authentic Korean winter culture including ice fishing for mountain trout, sledding, and ice skating on frozen rivers.

Late January

Taebaeksan Snow Festival

Mountain festival at 1,567m (5,141 ft) elevation featuring massive snow sculptures, igloo building, and winter mountaineering experiences. Less crowded than Hwacheon but more authentic mountain culture with local participation.

Throughout January

Seoul Lantern Festival Winter Edition

Traditional lantern displays along Cheonggyecheon stream enhanced by potential snow backdrop. Indoor-outdoor hybrid event perfect for January weather with warming stations every 200m (656 ft) along the route.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Thermal base layers (merino wool or synthetic) - essential when temperatures drop to -11°C (12°F) with 65% humidity creating bone-chilling conditions

Waterproof winter boots rated to -20°C (-4°F) with aggressive tread - Seoul sidewalks become icy, and you'll walk 5-8 km (3-5 miles) daily

Insulated jacket rated for -15°C (5°F) - wind chill in Seoul can make -1°C (30°F) feel like -10°C (14°F)

Multiple pairs of wool socks - your feet will get wet from snow, and cotton socks become dangerous in freezing temperatures

Hand and foot warmers (or buy locally at convenience stores for ₩1,000-2,000 per pack) - essential for outdoor activities lasting more than 30 minutes

Moisture-wicking long underwear - indoor heating is intense at 25-27°C (77-81°F), creating constant temperature transitions

Waterproof gloves with phone-compatible fingertips - temperatures make bare skin contact with metal dangerous after 2-3 minutes

Insulated water bottle - staying hydrated is crucial in dry 65% humidity, and liquids freeze outdoors in 20-30 minutes

SPF 30+ sunscreen - UV index of 3 intensifies with snow reflection, especially at mountain elevations above 500m (1,640 ft)

Compact umbrella - January's 8 snowy days often involve wet, heavy snow that penetrates jacket hoods

Insider Knowledge

Korean buildings blast heat to 26-28°C (79-82°F) indoors - dress in removable layers or you'll overheat in subway stations, shops, and restaurants within minutes

Convenience stores sell instant heat packs for ₩1,000-2,000 ($0.75-1.50) - locals buy them by the dozen and are essential for any outdoor activity over 30 minutes

Seoul subway system becomes a warming network - locals use it strategically to break up outdoor walking routes, and stations maintain 18-20°C (64-68°F) year-round

January is when Koreans eat the most comfort food - street vendors selling hotteok, bungeoppang, and roasted sweet potatoes appear on every corner, providing authentic cultural immersion and necessary warmth

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating indoor heating intensity - tourists overdress and become uncomfortable in restaurants, shops, and transport that maintain tropical temperatures of 25-27°C (77-81°F)

Planning too many outdoor activities - experienced Korea travelers limit outdoor time to 2-3 hour blocks with indoor warming breaks, not full-day outdoor itineraries

Bringing cotton clothing - cotton becomes dangerous when wet in freezing temperatures, yet many tourists pack cotton jeans and t-shirts thinking they'll layer appropriately