Kyoto in December
From about December 10 Kyoto turns suddenly, wonderfully quiet — cold, clear, with late maples still hanging on in sheltered gardens.
Is December a good time to visit Kyoto?
December is a middling month in Kyoto — crowds around 54/100. Not the worst, but January is noticeably calmer.
What’s on in December
- Colour falls in the first week and the city empties
- Ōmisoka (Dec 31) — temple bells rung at midnight
Best days in December
Weekdays are almost always calmer than weekends.
Tue is normally the calmest day of the week.
Best hours in December
The daily rhythm, hour by hour.
The 9:00 AM window is usually the calmest of the day.
Weather in December
Typical highs, lows and wet days.
How December compares
Every month in Kyoto, ranked by how calm it is.
Quieter alternatives
If your dates are flexible, these months are calmer in Kyoto.
Book things to do
Tours and tickets in Kyoto, from our booking partner.
Free cancellation
Free cancellation
Free cancellationAffiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes a crowd score or the order of our recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good month to visit Kyoto?
December is a middling month in Kyoto — crowds around 54/100. Not the worst, but January is noticeably calmer.
How crowded is Kyoto in December?
Kyoto sits at roughly 54/100 in December on our crowd scale, which is 10 points below the yearly average. The quietest month is January.
What is the weather like in Kyoto in December?
Expect highs around 11°C and lows near 3°C in December, with about 8 wet days across the month.