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When to go · Zao Onsen

Zao Onsen in December

Great month. Inside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Temperature
3°C (37°F) / −3°C (27°F)
average high / low
Rain days
19
Crowds
Medium
Japan overall
Prices
Medium
Japan overall

Verdict

GreatBest and avoid months for Zao Onsen

Inside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.

Is another month better than December?

No other month rates higher than December for Zao Onsen in this guide.

Weather in December

Long-term averages
  • Zao OnsenHighs around 3 °C (37 °F), lows around -3 °C (27 °F), rain on about 19 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 Zao Onsen, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Dec: Great

    Jan: Great

  • Daytime high

    Dec: 3 °C (37 °F)

    Jan: -1 °C (30 °F)

  • Night low

    Dec: -3 °C (27 °F)

    Jan: -7 °C (19 °F)

  • Rain days

    Dec: 19 (better)

    Jan: 20

  • Crowds

    Dec: Medium

    Jan: Low

  • Prices

    Dec: Medium

    Jan: Low

  • Festivals listed

    Dec: 1

    Jan: 1

December: Inside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.

January: Inside Zao Onsen's best window: Dec–Mar for snow monsters and ski; Jul–Sep for hiking and crater views.

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

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Japan in December →