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Country guide · Asia

Japan in December

Weather, crowds and prices in Japan in December — and where in the country to go.

Great
52
Quick answer

A country is rarely uniformly good or bad in a given month. Below is what December looks like across Japan, followed by the places that are actually at their best.

Average high
12°
Average low 3°
Crowds
Moderate
58/100
Prices
$$
mid-range
Rainfall
Dry
Cool
Japan

Where to go in Japan in December

Ranked by how December scores at each place on weather, crowds and price.

1 Tokyo, Japan Tokyo 12° · $$ · Illuminations sparkle, cold dry air returns Great 2 Kyoto, Japan Kyoto 11° · $$ · Cold and quiet after leaves fall Fair

Japan weather in December

Typical conditions in Japan during December, based on long-run climate normals rather than any single year. Treat it as a planning guide, not a forecast.

The best time to visit Japan

Taken across the whole country, May · October · December tends to give the strongest mix of weather, space and value. Individual destinations shift that window, sometimes by months — the table below is the honest version.

← November All 12 months January →

Frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Japan in December?

Typical conditions in Japan during December, based on long-run climate normals rather than any single year. Treat it as a planning guide, not a forecast. Average highs sit around 12°C with lows near 3°C.

Where should you go in Japan in December?

Tokyo, Kyoto.

What is the best month to visit Japan?

May, October, December.

Figures are climate normals and modelled estimates — a planning guide, not a forecast. We separate fact, estimate and recommendation.