December is one of Japan's most underrated months. The autumn crowds have gone home, the skies over Tokyo and Kyoto are clear and blue, city streets glow with millions of lights, and the first deep snow arrives in the mountains. For the first three weeks of the month, it is also one of the quieter and better-value times to visit.
This guide covers what the weather is really like, what is on in December 2026, what to pack, and the one week you need to plan carefully: the New Year shutdown at the end of the month.
1. Weather in December: Cold, Dry and Sunny
Japan stretches a long way from north to south, so "December weather" depends entirely on where you are. These are the 30-year climate averages (1991 to 2020) published by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
| City | Average high | Average low | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | 2.0°C | -4.0°C | Full winter, with snow on the ground |
| Tokyo | 12.0°C | 3.8°C | Crisp and sunny, cold after dark |
| Kyoto | 11.6°C | 3.5°C | Similar to Tokyo, with colder mornings |
| Osaka | 12.3°C | 5.3°C | Mild days, chilly evenings |
| Naha (Okinawa) | 21.5°C | 16.8°C | Like a mild spring day |
On the Pacific side of the main island, including Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, December is one of the driest and sunniest months of the year. Tokyo averages only about 58 mm of rain in the whole month. The Sea of Japan coast and Hokkaido are the opposite: grey skies and regular, heavy snow. Sapporo averages more than a metre of snowfall in December alone.
2. What to Wear and Pack
The trick to dressing for Japan in winter is layers. It is cold outside, but trains, shops and restaurants are heated very generously, and you will be constantly moving between the two.
A warm coat or insulated jacket for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. For Hokkaido and the mountains, bring a proper winter coat, hat, gloves and a scarf.
A thin thermal layer under a shirt or jumper works best. You can peel off the coat on the train without overheating.
Comfortable walking shoes that slip on and off easily, because you remove them at temples, ryokan and some restaurants. Bring warm socks without holes. In snow country, you need boots with grip.
3. December 2026 Events and Dates
There are no national public holidays in December, but the calendar is full of events. These have fixed dates every year unless noted.
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| December 2–3 | Chichibu Night Festival: lantern-covered floats and winter fireworks | Chichibu, Saitama (a day trip from Tokyo) |
| December 15–18 | Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri: a festival with a costumed procession, held since the 12th century | Nara |
| December 17–19 | Hagoita-ichi: a fair selling decorated wooden paddles for good luck | Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo |
| December 22 | Toji, the winter solstice, when people bathe with yuzu citrus fruit | Nationwide |
| December 24–25 | Christmas: illuminations, cake and fried chicken (not a holiday) | Nationwide |
| December 29–31 | Comic Market 109, the world's largest self-published comics fair (advance ticket required) | Tokyo Big Sight |
| December 31 | Omisoka: New Year's Eve, with temple bells at midnight | Nationwide |
Read more in our guides to Christmas in Japan, Omisoka and the Asakusa area.
4. The Best Things to Do in December
See the last autumn leaves
Autumn is not quite over when December begins. The 2026 forecast puts the maple peak around November 29 in Tokyo and December 11 in Kyoto, later than usual, so the first ten days of December should still offer good colour in both cities. See our Tokyo autumn leaves guide and Kyoto autumn leaves guide.
Walk through the illuminations
Winter light displays are a major event in Japan, and December is when all of them are switched on. Our Tokyo winter illuminations guide lists the best ones and their dates.
Soak in an onsen
An outdoor hot spring bath in cold air, ideally with snow around you, is one of the great pleasures of a Japanese winter. Read our onsen guide before your first visit.
Hit the slopes
Major ski resorts in Hokkaido and Nagano open from late November into December, though snow cover is more reliable from late December onward. See our Japan ski season guide.
Eat winter food
December is the season for nabe (鍋) hot pots shared at the table, oden (おでん) simmered in broth, crab from the Sea of Japan coast, and sweet mikan (みかん) mandarins. Try our oden guide for how to order it.
5. Crowds and Costs: Two Very Different Halves
December is really two months in one.
One of the quieter periods of the year for sightseeing. Popular temples are calmer, and hotel prices are generally lower than in the autumn and spring peaks.
Christmas Eve fills restaurants and city hotels, and then the whole country travels for New Year. Trains, flights and hotels are at their busiest and most expensive.
If your dates are flexible, the first half of December gives you the best combination of good weather, low crowds and seasonal atmosphere.
6. The New Year Shutdown
The biggest thing to know about late December is that Japan's most important holiday is New Year, not Christmas. From around December 29 to January 3, government offices, banks and many museums, small shops and family-run restaurants close.
From December 25, 2026 to January 5, 2027, all Nozomi trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen run with reserved seats only. There are no non-reserved cars, so book your seat in advance, especially on December 29–30 and January 2–3.
It is still a wonderful time to be in Japan, as long as you plan ahead. Our Japan New Year holiday guide explains exactly what is open and what is closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, particularly the first three weeks. You get clear weather on the Pacific side, fewer tourists, winter illuminations and the start of the ski season. The last week needs more planning because of New Year closures and crowded transport.
Rarely. Tokyo is cold but dry in December, and snow in the city is unusual before January. For reliable snow, go to Hokkaido, the Japan Alps or the Sea of Japan coast.
In Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, expect daytime highs of about 12°C and lows of 3 to 5°C. Sapporo stays close to freezing all day. Okinawa is mild, at around 17 to 21°C.
No. December 25 is a normal working day. The next national holiday is New Year's Day on January 1, although many businesses close from about December 29.
Conclusion
Come in early December for blue skies, late autumn colour and quiet temples, or come at the end of the month for the atmosphere of a Japanese New Year. Either way, pack layers, plan your daylight hours, and book trains and restaurants early if you are travelling after Christmas. Coming a month earlier instead? See Japan in November.
Sources
- Japan Meteorological Agency — Climate normals 1991–2020 (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo, Naha): https://www.data.jma.go.jp/stats/etrn/index.php
- Nippon.com — Japan's Autumn Foliage Forecast 2026: https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h02888/
- Cabinet Office, Government of Japan — National holidays: https://www8.cao.go.jp/chosei/shukujitsu/gaiyou.html
- Comic Market Committee — Official website: https://www.comiket.co.jp/
- Chichibu Tourism Association — Chichibu Night Festival: https://www.chichibuji.gr.jp/
- JR Central — Tokaido Shinkansen information: https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/