When to go · Sai

Sai in December

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Feb (cold, limited ferry service).

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Temperature: 4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) / −2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C); average high / low
Rain days: 6
Crowds: Medium; Japan overall
Prices: Medium; Japan overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Sai

Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Feb (cold, limited ferry service).

Is another month better than December?

December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Weather in December

Long-term averages

SaiHighs around 4 °C (39 °F), lows around -2 °C (28 °F), rain on about 6 daysHighs around 39 °F (4 °C), lows around 28 °F (-2 °C), rain on about 6 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 · Japan
Shops, museums and many restaurants close; shrines packed on 1–3 Jan; trains full on 29–30 Dec and 2–3 Jan.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Japan overall: Medium
Prices · Japan overall: Medium

Japan overall: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Sai, side by side.

First month

Second month

Verdict
Dec: Avoid
Jun: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 4 °C (39 °F)39 °F (4 °C)
Jun: 23 °C (73 °F)73 °F (23 °C)
Night low
Dec: -2 °C (28 °F)28 °F (-2 °C)
Jun: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 6
Jun: 4 (better)
Crowds
Dec: Medium
Jun: Low
Prices
Dec: Medium
Jun: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Jun: 0

December: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Feb (cold, limited ferry service).

June: Inside Sai's best window: Jun–Sep (sea‑urchin roe festival, milder weather).

Sai: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Japan in December →