Japan in December is three trips in one month: the tail of the autumn colours in Kyoto, crisp sunny days and winter illuminations in the big cities, and the first real snow in Hokkaido and the Japan Alps. It ends with the most important holiday of the Japanese year, when trains fill, prices rise and many offices and some attractions close for several days. This guide gives you the real temperatures, where to go by region, what’s on, and the exact dates that need careful planning.
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Yes, Japan in December is a good time to visit, especially in the first three weeks. Tokyo averages about 12 °C (54 °F) by day and 4 °C (39 °F) at night, Kyoto is a little colder, and Sapporo sits around freezing with heavy snow. Expect late autumn leaves in Kyoto in early December, winter illuminations everywhere and ski resorts opening. Around 29 December to 3 January, many businesses close and travel gets busy and expensive.
✅ Key takeaways
- ✓Go in the first half of December if you want the last autumn colours: Kyoto’s leaves often hold into the first week or so, while Tokyo’s peak is usually over by the start of the month.
- ✓Pack for real winter: Tokyo nights drop to about 4 °C, Kyoto feels colder than the numbers suggest, and Hokkaido is below freezing.
- ✓Reserve shinkansen seats and hotels early for 27 December to 4 January, the busiest and most expensive travel stretch of the year.
- ✓Expect closures from about 29 December to 3 January at many offices, some museums and smaller restaurants; shrines and temples are at their busiest instead.
- ✓Big ski resorts are usually running by mid- to late December; Hokkaido’s can open as early as late November when snow allows.
Is Japan in December Worth It? The Honest Answer by Trip Type
For most travellers, yes. Japan in December is dry and often sunny on the Pacific side of Japan, the big cities are lit up for the season, and the crowds of the autumn-leaf peak have thinned. The trade-offs are short days, cold evenings and the New Year shutdown at the very end of the month.
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| Your trip | Japan in December verdict | Best dates |
|---|---|---|
| First visit: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka | Very good: crisp, clear days and festive cities | 1–24 December |
| Autumn leaves | Good in Kyoto early in the month; mostly over in Tokyo | 1–10 December |
| Skiing and snowboarding | Early season: good in Hokkaido, improving in Nagano | Mid- to late December |
| Christmas lights and markets | Excellent | Mid-November to 25 December |
| Japanese New Year traditions | Unique, but busy and with closures | 31 December–3 January |
| Budget trip | Fair early in the month; poor at year-end | 1–20 December |
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Japan Weather in December: The Real Numbers
Japan in December runs from autumnal cool in the south to proper winter in the north, as the Japan National Tourism Organization puts it. Tokyo often has sunny days that feel almost warm in the sun, while Kyoto, sitting in a basin, gets surprisingly cold. Here are the Japan Meteorological Agency’s long-term December averages.
12 °C
Tokyo high (54 °F) · low 4 °C
12 °C
Kyoto high (53 °F) · low 3.5 °C
2 °C
Sapporo high (36 °F) · low −4 °C
113 cm
average December snowfall in Sapporo
| City | Average high | Average low | December character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 12.0 °C (54 °F) | 3.8 °C (39 °F) | Mostly dry and sunny; about 58 mm of rain, 174 hours of sun |
| Kyoto | 11.6 °C (53 °F) | 3.5 °C (38 °F) | Cold mornings, crisp days, about 134 hours of sun |
| Sapporo | 2.0 °C (36 °F) | −4.0 °C (25 °F) | Snowy and grey: about 83 hours of sun, 113 cm of snow |
The other number to plan around is daylight. Tokyo’s sun sets around 4:30 p.m. in December, so start early, put temples and gardens in the morning and keep the illuminations, food halls and izakaya for the long evenings. Nagano and Niigata dip below zero, and mountain areas are already snowy.
Late Autumn Leaves in Kyoto and Tokyo in Early December
If you picture Japan in December with red maples, you’re not wrong, but timing matters. In typical years, Kyoto’s autumn colours peak from late November into roughly the first ten days of December, making it the latest of the big western cities. Tokyo’s peak usually runs from mid-November to about the start of December, so by the second week most city trees are past their best, though the ginkgo-lined avenues can still glow gold for a few days.
- Kyoto: temples on the city’s edges and in the hills, such as the Higashiyama area and Arashiyama, are good bets in the first week of December.
- Tokyo: look for late colour in large parks and gardens early in the month.
- Further south: parts of Kyushu also colour late; see our best time to visit Kyushu guide.
Every season shifts by a week or so, so check a live foliage report before you set your Kyoto days. For the full timing picture, read our guide to autumn leaves timing in Japan.
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Winter Illuminations and Christmas in Japan in December
Winter illuminations are one of the best reasons to visit Japan in December. According to JNTO, light displays often start in mid-November and run through the winter, and they range from city streets wrapped in LEDs to huge themed shows in gardens and theme parks.
| Illumination | Where | Usually runs |
|---|---|---|
| Caretta Illumination | Shiodome, Tokyo (near Shimbashi Station) | Mid-November into winter |
| Tokyo Midtown Christmas | Roppongi, Tokyo | Until 25 December |
| Osaka Hikari Renaissance | Central Osaka | Mid- to late December |
| Sendai Pageant of Starlight | Sendai | December |
| Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination | Mie, near Nagoya | Through the winter |
| Ashikaga Flower Fantasy | Tochigi | Through the winter |
| Sagamiko Illumillion | Kanagawa | Through the winter |
Christmas in Japan is a seasonal celebration rather than a family holiday. JNTO notes that decorations are everywhere, couples go out for romantic dinners, and a KFC Christmas meal is a popular tradition. Ginza and the Marunouchi area near Tokyo Station are good for festive lights and smart dinners. Christmas Day is a normal working day, so sights and shops are open as usual.
For more light displays around the world, see our holiday lights destinations guide.
When to Go: Japan
Weighing December against cherry blossom, autumn leaves or deep-winter snow? This month-by-month timing guide helps you compare the seasons, the crowds and the weather, so you can pick the month that fits your trip.
See the Japan guide · $19 →Ski Season Starts: Hokkaido and Nagano in December
Japan in December marks the start of the ski season. JNTO says the most popular resorts are usually up and running by mid- to late December, and Hokkaido’s big resorts may open as early as the end of November. Hakuba and Shiga Kogen in Nagano, Myoko and Echigo-Yuzawa in Niigata, and Zao Onsen and Appi Kogen further north all start their seasons in December, snow permitting.
| Region | December snow outlook | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido (Niseko and others) | Most reliable early-season snow; Sapporo averages 113 cm in December | Powder chasers, longer trips |
| Nagano (Hakuba, Shiga Kogen) | Improving through the month; best after mid-December | Easy access from Tokyo by shinkansen |
| Niigata (Myoko, Echigo-Yuzawa) | Heavy snowfall region; openings depend on the first storms | Weekend trips from Tokyo |
Planning to ski later in the winter? Our best ski resorts for January and hot springs to soak in during January guides pick up where December leaves off.
Year-End Closures in Japan: What Shuts Between 29 December and 3 January
This is the part of Japan in December that catches visitors out. The Oshogatsu (New Year) holiday period typically runs from 29 December to 3 January, depending on how the days fall, JNTO explains, and some businesses close for a few days. It is also the busiest and most expensive travel period of the year, as people head home to their families.
| What | Around 29 Dec–3 Jan | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Government offices, banks | Closed | Get cash and run errands before 28 December |
| Some museums and smaller restaurants | Often closed for a few days | Check each venue’s holiday dates |
| Shrines and temples | Open, and at their busiest | Go early, or visit after 3 January |
| Shinkansen and flights | Packed, especially the first days and the return | Reserve seats well ahead |
| Department stores and malls | Hours vary over the holiday | Check opening days before you plan a shopping day |
| Convenience stores | Open | Your fallback for meals and cash machines |
New Year in Japan: Shogatsu Customs Worth Seeing
New Year, not Christmas, is the big holiday of Japan in December and January, and seeing it is a real privilege as long as you plan for crowds. Here’s what happens and how to join in respectfully.
Toshikoshi soba on New Year’s Eve
Buckwheat noodles eaten on 31 December for a long life. JNTO notes that some shrines offer soba, warm sake and pork soup to visitors on the night.
Temple bells at midnight
Temples ring their bells 108 times around midnight to clear away the old year; at some, visitors can take a turn.
Hatsumode: the first shrine visit
In the first three days of the year, people visit a shrine to pray, buy charms and draw fortunes. Meiji Jingu in Tokyo welcomes more than 3 million visitors, with waits of a couple of hours at the main hall.
Hatsuhinode: the first sunrise
Watching the year’s first sunrise is popular from the coast, mountains and towers; dress very warmly.
Big-city trains, including in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, often run through the night on New Year’s Eve, but check with your hotel or the operator. Shrine etiquette is simple: bow twice, clap twice, pray, bow once. At temples, you don’t clap. The JNTO guide to Japan in December lists more seasonal events, from Kobe’s Chinatown lantern festival to Akita’s namahage on New Year’s Eve. To compare with other places to see in the year, see our New Year’s Eve destinations by trip style.
Japan in December rewards early starts: the leaves at 8 a.m., the shrines before the queues, and the lights the moment it gets dark.
When Not to Go to Japan in December
Weather isn’t the problem for Japan in December; the calendar is. If you dislike crowds or high prices, avoid roughly 27 December to 4 January, when domestic travel peaks, rates rise and many places close for Oshogatsu. If autumn leaves are the point of your trip, the second half of December is too late almost everywhere. Check whether your month is a bad one before you book, and read our December tips to avoid crowds and save money for the booking tactics.
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Long-haul flights over the holidays are full, so plan for disruption with our guide on how to prepare for flight delays in December.
What to Pack for Japan in December
- For Japan in December, start with a light down jacket or warm coat, plus a sweater you can remove indoors
- Thermal base layers if you’re heading to Kyoto at dawn, the Alps or Hokkaido
- Waterproof, grippy boots for snowy regions; comfortable shoes you can slip off easily for temples and ryokan
- Gloves, a hat and a scarf for illumination evenings and New Year’s Eve
- A small towel and hand warmers (sold everywhere in Japan if you forget)
- Cash for small shrines, temples and rural restaurants, especially over the holidays
See our December travel packing list or build one for your dates with the Packing by Season Generator.
A 7-Day Japan in December Itinerary
Days 1–3: Tokyo
Gardens and shrines in the morning, Caretta or Marunouchi lights after dark, a day trip for Mt Fuji views on a clear winter day.
Days 4–6: Kyoto
Early starts for the last leaves in Higashiyama and Arashiyama, a day trip to Nara or Osaka for the lights.
Day 7: Back to Tokyo or on to the snow
Return for your flight, or head to Nagano or Hokkaido for the first ski days.
Want more ideas for the month? Browse our December destinations, our Japan travel guides and our winter wonderland destinations for December.
Common Mistakes People Make in Japan in December
- Planning Kyoto leaves for late December. By the second half of the month the colours are almost always gone. Go in the first week.
- Ignoring the year-end closures. Arriving on 31 December without a dinner plan or cash can mean a convenience-store meal.
- Booking the shinkansen on the day over New Year. Reserved seats sell out on the busiest days; book as soon as you can.
- Wearing one heavy coat. Trains, shops and hotels are warm. Thin layers keep you comfortable inside and out.
- Assuming every ski resort is open. Early-December openings depend on snow; Hokkaido is the safest bet before mid-month.
Japan in December: Frequently Asked Questions
Japan in December is at its best when you split the month in two: the first half for leaves, lights and quiet temples, the end for snow and New Year traditions with a plan. Pick your half, book the trains early, and pack layers.
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