Enthusiastic about travelling to Japan in December, however unsure the place to begin planning? Our information explains every part you should find out about visiting Japan through the festive season.
From the final days of autumn to the primary indicators of winter, December in Japan is a month of seasonal transition. The start of the month particularly presents many alternatives to participate in varied occasions and actions. Autumn foliage can nonetheless be seen in some areas following their peak in late November, whereas winter illuminations begin to mild up cities throughout the nation.
Though Christmas shouldn’t be extensively celebrated in Japan, the festive end-of-year ambiance will be felt in every single place. Given the significance of New 12 months’s celebrations, you’ll seemingly be capable of find out about Japanese traditions you haven’t heard about but and uncover new methods to have a good time the vacation season throughout your keep.
On this information, we’ll stroll you thru all the professionals and cons of visiting Japan in December, share some cultural information with you, and let you know what you need to count on earlier than your journey.
Is December a Good Time to Go to Japan?
Early December is an effective time to journey to Japan. Moreover, the autumn foliage continues to be seen firstly of the month, and even peaks in December in hotter components of Japan. Plenty of winter occasions like illuminations and European-style Christmas markets are additionally held in Japan all through December.
Climate clever, there may be little rainfall and clear skies throughout western and japanese Japan. The air begins to really feel slightly colder right here and there, however travelling is usually comfy when carrying heat garments.
New 12 months Vacation Season
The second half of December comes with some downsides. Nearing the top of the yr, flights are inclined to get costly, particularly from the final week of December to early January.
The reason being that New 12 months’s is certainly one of Japan’s largest holidays, resulting in a pointy improve in home and outbound journey. Many retailers, museums and eating places shut throughout this era. As a vacationer, you gained’t have as a lot to discover, and a few locations can really feel slightly quiet.
Climate in Japan in December
In some areas of Japan’s largest island, Honshū, autumn nonetheless lingers in early December. Temperatures in Tokyo and Osaka attain highs of round 12°C. Daytime averages are barely beneath 10°C. Because the month progresses, temperatures drop and winter slowly takes over. The air additionally tends to turn out to be more and more dry in lots of cities.
In Hokkaidō and Tōhoku, then again, December is effectively into the snowy season. Temperatures can already go beneath freezing. Many ski resorts open their doorways to guests round this time of yr.
Yow will discover the typical temperatures in December for various areas inside Japan listed beneath:
| Imply temperature | Max. temperature | Min. temperature | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo, Hokkaidō | -0.9°C | 2.0°C | -4.0°C |
| Tokyo | 7.7°C | 12.0°C | 3.8°C |
| Osaka | 8.7C | 12.3°C | 5.3°C |
| Fukuoka, Kyūshū | 9.1°C | 12.6°C | 5.8°C |
| Naha, Okinawa | 19.0°C | 21.5°C | 16.8°C |
The winter sports activities season at a majority of resorts in Japan begins in November or December and peaks between January and February. For extra details about snowboarding and snowboarding in Japan, try our information to visiting Japan in January.
One of many perks of travelling round Japan in December is the usually low stage of rainfall. There are fewer wet days and sometimes clear, brilliant skies, particularly on Honshū and Kyūshū, making circumstances comfy for metropolis journeys and sightseeing. These clear skies additionally make this top-of-the-line instances of yr to see Mount Fuji.
Under, yow will discover an outline of common sunshine hours and precipitation throughout Japan throughout December:
| Sunshine hours | Rain (in mm) | |
|---|---|---|
| Sapporo, Hokkaidō | 82.7 | 114.5 |
| Tokyo | 174.4 | 57.9 |
| Osaka | 152.1 | 55.5 |
| Fukuoka, Kyūshū | 112.2 | 67.5 |
| Naha, Okinawa | 107.4 | 110.0 |
Is Japan Very Chilly in December?
In case you’re planning to go to main cities in Honshū like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, the reply isn’t any. Whereas Japan is chilly in December, it’s often not freezing chilly.
Nonetheless, with common temperatures round 10°C, you need to undoubtedly carry some hotter garments, particularly for the evenings. In case you come ready to wrap up heat, travelling in Japan continues to be very pleasing in December.
Going up north to Tōhoku and Hokkaidō, you’ll be able to count on harsher climate circumstances. Freezing temperatures in December are widespread in these areas. The identical applies to mountainous locations like Shirakawa-go within the Japanese Alps or higher-altitude areas like Nikkō.
What to Put on in Japan in December?
When travelling to Japan in December, you need to pack a mix of heat garments.
Necessities embrace sweaters, some hotter pullovers and a lightweight winter jacket and/or coat. In case temperatures are decrease than anticipated, bringing some thermal t-shirts, socks or leggings gained’t do any hurt both.
Don’t overlook winter boots alongside a pair of sneakers, plus equipment like a shawl, beanie and gloves. Small extras comparable to hand heaters, hand cream and a lip balm can be helpful on chilly, dry days.
Remember that temperatures in Japan differ from area to area, so that you’ll have to regulate your wardrobe to match your itinerary. Lighter layers could also be sufficient for Fukuoka or Kyoto, whereas northern prefectures sometimes require hotter, insulated clothes in December.
Is Japan Crowded in December?
Japan will probably be busy throughout December, particularly in early and mid-December earlier than the general public holidays start. Nonetheless, it’s often not as busy as November when the autumn foliage reaches its peak.
Home journey additionally surges from the final days of December into early January as many Japanese return dwelling to see their households, making public transport extraordinarily busy. It might even be troublesome to get Shinkansen tickets, since locals pre-book their tickets lengthy upfront. Shinkansen seating is often solely out there via reservation through the New 12 months interval.
Shrines and temples turn out to be very crowded through the first few days of the New 12 months for conventional celebrations like hatsumode. Then again, some neighbourhoods with a lot of retailers and eating places may really feel quieter than typical, as many companies shut for the New 12 months break.
Prices of Travelling to Japan in December
December falls into the shoulder season for worldwide journey. Costs for flights between early to mid-December are sometimes cheap in comparison with months like November or April, however discovering good offers for the final third of the month generally is a problem.
Fares are often getting larger round Christmas. If you wish to lower your expenses, you need to keep away from travelling to and from Japan over the last week of the yr. Home journey in Japan reaches a peak across the New 12 months vacation, so the final days of December and the primary week of January are dearer for flights and motels.
Finest Issues to Do in Japan in December
In December, Japan says goodbye to the final autumn leaves and welcomes the winter illumination season. Right here are some things to find out about this transition.
Winter Illumination Season
Some temples like Eikandō and Rokuō-in in Kyoto host night-time illuminations of the autumn leaves through the first days of December, Nonetheless, because the month progresses, increasingly more cities swap focus to opening their streets and parks for the annual Christmas and winter illumination occasions.
These are among the many greatest seasonal actions to get pleasure from when travelling to Japan in December, particularly for first-time guests. Whether or not it’s the Blue Cave Illumination in Tokyo or the Midōsuji Illumination in Osaka, whole streets flip into glowing tunnels of sunshine. Christmas markets throughout Japan additionally open their doorways. If you wish to get pleasure from avenue meals, scorching drinks and a dialog beneath the festive lights, these are the locations for you.
In Osaka, most winter illuminations begin in November or December beneath the theme “Pageant of the Lights”. A map of all of the illuminated spots with dates for 2025 will be discovered on their official web site (Japanese solely). All of those illuminations are free to attend.
Vacation Season in Japan
Christmas in Japan is principally industrial in nature. The Japanese vacation season solely begins shortly earlier than New 12 months’s. Within the last days of December, many individuals collect with associates or colleagues for bōnenkai (actually “year-forgetting events”) to catch up and unwind earlier than the brand new yr.
The times main as much as and after New 12 months’s are largely spent with household. Traditions revolve round purification and success for the yr forward, together with drawing omikuji (fortunes) or visiting temples and shrines.
Right here among the greatest issues to do in Japan in December:
- Catch the final of the purple leaves: In most locations, the height of autumn foliage happens round mid to late November. Nonetheless, lately it has turn out to be extra widespread for the purple foliage to succeed in its peak throughout early December, significantly in western and southern Japan. Examine the official predictions for every area to search out out the place it’s potential to catch among the colors later within the season.
- Take pleasure in Japan’s winter illuminations and Christmas markets: The winter illuminations in Japan lasts from mid-November to February, however December is when most shows will be seen throughout the nation. Throughout this time, whole streets in bigger cities are remodeled into alleys of lights. Extra distant areas, comparable to Mie Prefecture (Nabana no Sato Illumination) and Tochigi Prefecture (Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination), have complete parks embellished with glowing string-light tunnels and glowing fields of LED flowers. European-style Christmas markets in Tokyo and Osaka additionally characteristic illuminations, which will be loved with a cup of mulled wine and conventional festive treats.
- Strive Japan’s winter delicacies: As the times develop colder, consolation dishes like nabe and oden turn out to be standard in Japan. Nabe is a scorching pot the place greens, tofu, mushrooms, and items of meat, fish or seafood are cooked collectively in a broth. Oden, a stew made with elements like daikon radish, eggs and a number of other forms of fish cake, is a well-liked winter snack at avenue meals stalls. There are all kinds of winter specialties to pattern in your December travels round Japan, so ensure to maintain your eyes open at native meals markets and eating places.
- Attend a standard Japanese arts class: Japan is well-known for its conventional crafts, and becoming a member of an area pottery class, a kintsugi workshop, or a fan-making workshop throughout your journey is an effective way to expertise them first-hand. You’ll even have some handmade presents to carry dwelling for the vacations.
- Have a good time Christmas the Japanese manner: In Japan, Christmas doesn’t have the identical non secular or cultural significance that it does in lots of different international locations. Nonetheless, through the years a number of native traditions have developed, notably consuming KFC for Christmas dinner and having strawberry shortcake for dessert.
- Expertise New 12 months’s Eve in Japan: In case you’re staying in Japan through the flip of the yr, there are some distinctive native traditions you could expertise. One is consuming toshikoshi soba, buckwheat noodles which can be believed that will help you go away the previous yr behind and begin the brand new yr with a transparent thoughts. Ringing within the New 12 months 108 instances is one other distinctive expertise you’ll be able to have on the evening of New 12 months’s Eve in Japan. This Buddhist custom, often known as joya no kane, is held at temples throughout the nation. In Buddhist perception, there are 108 earthly needs that trigger human struggling. Ringing the bell is claimed to cleanse individuals of those needs earlier than the brand new yr begins. Standard locations to witness this ritual embrace well-known temples comparable to Chion-in in Kyoto. They’ll get very crowded, so ensure to reach early. Smaller temples are typically much less busy, and at some, guests even have the prospect to ring the bell themselves.
Festivals and Occasions in Japan in December 2025
Along with the illuminations and Christmas markets, right here’s a listing of festivals and occasions value catching if you happen to’re visiting Japan in December:
- Midtown Christmas 2025 in Tokyo (13/11/2025-25/12/2025): This standard occasion options dazzling illuminations lighting up the Midtown Backyard, situated between Akasaka and Roppongi in Tokyo. Guests can get pleasure from a vibrant mild bulb set up, a Christmas tree embellished with 1,600 Santas, and extra enchanting mild shows throughout Tokyo Midtown’s sister areas.
- Himeji Fort of Gentle (Dandelion Challenge) in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture (22/11/2025-11/12/2025): This immersive occasion takes place at Himeji Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and nationwide treasure situated in Hyōgo Prefecture, and options mild artwork installations. Marking the eightieth anniversary of the top of World Conflict II in 2025, the principle theme of this yr’s installations is “peace”.
- Hakodate Christmas Fantasy in Hakodate, Hokkaidō Prefecture (29/11/2025-25/12/2025): Hakodate is a metropolis in southern Hokkaidō recognized for its wealthy port historical past, spectacular evening views and Western-influenced structure. As a part of the Hakodate Christmas Fantasy, a large Christmas tree floats within the bay by the Purple Brick Warehouse, illuminated nightly with fireworks. Guests can stroll via superbly lit streets, store within the Purple Brick Warehouse or heat up with native soups from the road meals stalls.
- Chichibu Night time Pageant in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture (02/12/2025-03/12/2025): In case you’re trying to discover locations outdoors of Tokyo in December, the Chichibu Night time Pageant in Saitama Prefecture is a good choice. Chichibu is about two hours from central Tokyo by practice. Through the annual pageant, large embellished floats are paraded via the streets round Chichibu Shrine. At evening, the floats are illuminated. You too can witness conventional Japanese performing arts comparable to kagura and kabuki. Fireworks, taiko drums and flutes full the winter pageant ambiance.
- Akō Gishisai Pageant in Tokyo (14/12/2025): The Akō Gishisai Pageant is a commemorative pageant held yearly on December 14 at Sengaku-ji in Tokyo. The pageant retains the legend of the 47 rōnin alive, a bunch of masterless samurai who avenged the loss of life of their lord through the Akō incident in 1702. A procession of males dressed because the 47 rōnin is among the highlights of the pageant.
- Pageant of the Lights in Osaka (early April 2025 to late February 2026): The Pageant of the Lights consists of assorted illuminations scattered throughout Osaka. This yr, the occasion started with a particular early lighting of the Midōsuji Illumination along side the beginning of Osaka Expo 2025 in April. Nonetheless, most illuminations can solely be seen from November to December 2025. The favored Hikari Renaissance Illumination runs from December 14 to December 25. A couple of others final till January or late February 2026. A map of all of the illuminated spots with dates is offered on-line (Japanese solely).
- Christmas Markets in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka or Fukuoka (late November to late December): Christmas markets in Japan carry a contact of European Introduction allure to cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka, most opening in late November and shutting quickly after Christmas. Whereas some dishes style a bit totally different from their originals (and will be on the expensive aspect), it’s nonetheless a enjoyable expertise to get pleasure from whereas in Japan. Sip on a cup of mulled wine, nibble on a bit of gingerbread, or savour hearty dishes like stew beneath the Christmas lights.
- Joya no kane in lots of temples throughout Japan (31/12/2025): Joya no Kane is a Buddhist custom held at temples throughout Japan on New 12 months’s Eve, the place a temple bell is rung 108 instances to cleanse individuals of worldly needs. As talked about above, well-known temples like Chion-in in Kyoto and a number of other in Tokyo entice massive crowds, so if you wish to witness the bell-ringing up shut, it’s greatest to reach very early. To keep away from the lots, you too can select a smaller native temple off the overwhelmed path. Simply do a fast on-line examine beforehand to see in case your temple of alternative hosts the ceremony.
Conclusion – Visiting Japan in December
Visiting Japan in December generally is a nice expertise. Most winter illuminations are on show, together with December-limited Christmas light-ups. There’s nonetheless an amazing likelihood that you simply’ll see autumn leaves firstly of December; nevertheless, it’s higher to go to Japan in November if that is your essential goal.
On the draw back, flights are fairly costly within the second half of December. There are additionally fewer choices for journey within the days main as much as and simply after New 12 months’s Eve. Many eating places, retailers and museums could also be closed throughout this era. However if you happen to’re trying to expertise a distinct, calmer type of New 12 months’s, don’t let these limitations cease you from reserving your journey.
Searching for the perfect time of yr to go to Japan? Try our Japan in January article to check dates for a cold-weather journey, or learn our Japan in April article to find what it could be like to go to throughout Japan’s well-known cherry blossom season.
