Japan in December
Three quiet, crisp, cheap weeks and then a sudden national scramble in the last few days as the country heads home for New Year.
Is December a good time to visit Japan?
December sits mid-range in Japan — around 58/100 nationally. February is noticeably calmer.
What closes and what fills up in December
- New Year travel rush begins around 29 December
- Ski season opens in Hokkaido and the Japan Alps
Japan city by city in December
The same month can feel very different depending where you are.
How December compares across the year
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Frequently asked questions
Is December a good month to visit Japan?
December sits mid-range in Japan — around 58/100 nationally. February is noticeably calmer.
How busy is Japan in December?
Averaged across the destinations we track, Japan sits near 58/100 in December. The calmest of them is Kyoto.
What is the weather like in Japan in December?
Expect average highs near 12°C and lows near 4°C, with roughly 7 wet days — though Japan varies by region.