When to go · Japan
Japan in December
Good month. Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Crowds
- Medium
- Japan
- Prices
- Medium
- Japan
Verdict
Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.
Weather in December
- Hokkaidō · Sapporo, Nisekocool
Snow Dec–Mar (ski season); the only main region without a real rainy season.
- Honshū cities · Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshimacool
Rainy season June to mid-July; humid heat July–August; typhoon risk peaks in September.
- Okinawa · Naha, Ishigakifine
Subtropical; rainy season May–June, typhoons July–September.
- Kansai: Kyoto / Osaka · Kansai basin and baycool
Rainy season (tsuyu) June to mid-July; Kyoto's basin holds heat — 35 °C+ days in August; typhoons Aug–Sep can shut KIX for a day.
- Kyoto12° / 3°, 8 rain days
- Osaka12° / 5°, 6 rain days
- Tokyo12° / 4°, 5 rain days
- Nagoya12° / 3°, 6 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
New Year (Shōgatsu) big impact
29 Dec – 3 Jan
Shops, museums and many restaurants close; shrines packed on 1–3 Jan; trains full on 29–30 Dec and 2–3 Jan.
Autumn leaves (kōyō)
Mid-Nov – early Dec
Kyoto temples crowded and hotels at peak prices; night illuminations add evening crowds.
Autumn leaves and illuminations check
Mid-November to December · Osaka
Ginkgo turns gold along Midōsuji; light displays from Umeda to Namba.
Osaka Hikari Renaissance check
Mid-December to about 25 December (check) · Osaka
Projection mapping and light installations; crowded weekend evenings.
Winter illuminations
Mid-November to December or February · Tokyo
Free light displays along main streets; crowded on weekends before Christmas.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Japan
- Medium
- Prices · Japan
- Medium
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket