Japan by month
Japan in December
Winter begins: dry, sunny days in Tokyo and Osaka (around 12°C), the first deep snow in Hokkaido, late autumn colour in Kyoto and illuminations everywhere. Many places close from 29 December to 3 January.
What December is like
December days on the Pacific side are crisp and mostly clear: Tokyo averages 12.0°C at the top and 3.8°C at night, Osaka 12.3°C and 5.3°C. Mount Fuji views are at their most reliable. On the Sea of Japan side, the grey season begins, and Kanazawa's December is its wettest month of the year.
Hokkaido and the northern Alps are fully snowbound by mid-December, and most ski resorts open during the month. Okinawa stays mild at around 21°C.
Where to go in December
Kyoto's last maples hang on into the first week of December, with far fewer crowds than in November. Cities compete with winter illuminations, from Sendai's Pageant of Starlight to Tokyo's Marunouchi and Roppongi. For snow, head to Sapporo, Niigata's Yuzawa or Nagano's Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen.
Planning around New Year
New Year (shogatsu) is Japan's biggest family holiday. From about 29 December to 3 January, many museums, restaurants and smaller shops close, while trains and flights are packed with people heading home. Big shrines like Meiji Jingu and Fushimi Inari draw millions for hatsumode, the first visit of the year.
Early December is the sweet spot: the weather is settled, prices are normal and the holiday rush has not started yet.
Festivals and events
Typical weather in December
Average daily high and low and total rainfall for the month (1991–2020). Tap a city for its 7-day forecast.
| City | High | Low | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | 2°C | -4°C | 115 |
| Asahikawa | -1°C | -8°C | 102 |
| Kushiro | 3°C | -7°C | 57 |
| Aomori | 5°C | -1°C | 155 |
| Akita | 6°C | 0°C | 160 |
| Sendai | 8°C | 1°C | 44 |
| Niigata | 9°C | 2°C | 226 |
| Kanazawa | 10°C | 4°C | 301 |
| Tokyo | 12°C | 4°C | 58 |
| Utsunomiya | 11°C | 0°C | 39 |
| Nagano | 7°C | -1°C | 49 |
| Nagoya | 12°C | 3°C | 57 |
| Osaka | 12°C | 5°C | 56 |
| Takamatsu | 12°C | 4°C | 47 |
| Matsue | 11°C | 4°C | 155 |
| Hiroshima | 12°C | 4°C | 54 |
| Kochi | 14°C | 4°C | 83 |
| Fukuoka | 13°C | 6°C | 68 |
| Kagoshima | 15°C | 7°C | 93 |
| Amami | 20°C | 14°C | 170 |
| Naha | 22°C | 17°C | 110 |
| Ishigaki | 23°C | 18°C | 155 |
Tips
- Check opening days carefully for 29 December to 3 January. Convenience stores and big department stores stay open, but many sights do not.
- Book New Year trains and hotels early; prices rise sharply in the last week of December.
- Pack for two climates if you combine Tokyo with Hokkaido: a light coat for the city and full winter gear for the snow.
Questions travellers ask
Is December a good time to visit Japan?
Yes, especially early December: dry, sunny weather in Tokyo and Osaka, late autumn colour in Kyoto, illuminations and the start of ski season.
Does it snow in Tokyo in December?
Almost never. December in Tokyo is dry and sunny, with highs around 12°C.
What is closed over New Year in Japan?
Many museums, small shops and restaurants close around 29 December to 3 January. Transport runs, but it is very crowded.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
- Japan Meteorological Agency気象庁JMA climate normals 1991–2020 (Japanese)(in Japanese) (opens in a new tab)
- Japan Tourism Agency (MLIT)観光庁Chichibu Night Festival, Japan Tourism Agency(in Japanese) (opens in a new tab)
- Japan Meteorological Agency気象庁JMA maple colouring dates(in Japanese) (opens in a new tab)
All 12 months7-day forecasts for 22 cities
Facts checked 23 October 2026