Japan weather in December

What the weather is like in December

December is dry and crisp with city illuminations and Christmas markets (Tokyo Midtown is famous). Things shut down December 31 - January 3 for New Year.

Against November, December runs 5°C cooler with 38mm less rain and 0.6 hours more sun a day.

These December averages are station normals for Tokyo (Kitanomaru Park) (Japan Meteorological Agency, via Wikipedia, 1991-2020); other parts of Japan vary. Full sources below.

Japan in December, on the ground

December is crisp, dry and sunny in Tokyo and on the Pacific side, and snowy in Hokkaido and along the Sea of Japan. Cities fill with winter illuminations, and the year-end holidays change the rhythm of the country in the last week.

Crowds and prices in December

The first three weeks are good value and calm; from about 28 December into the first days of January, Japanese families travel home and domestic transport and hotels are at their busiest.

What to do in December

• Ski in Hokkaido or Nagano, where the season opens in December.
• Hear Joya no Kane, the 108 bell strikes at Buddhist temples on New Year’s Eve.
• Spend an evening at the winter illuminations in Tokyo, Osaka or Kobe.

Before you book: Many businesses, some museums and many restaurants close between about 29 December and 3 January; check opening days before you plan.

What to pack for Japan in December

• Warm layers and a proper coat
• A scarf for chilly mornings

What's on in December

• New Year (Shogatsu) (Nationwide) — December 31 to January 3 is Japan's most important holiday — many shops, restaurants, and museums close. Shrine visits (hatsumode) are a major tradition.

Is December the right month?

Japan's best month, April, is four months after December; the toughest, August, is four months before. If your dates can move, November is the nearest best-season month. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Japan, or where else to go in December.