Tokyo in December
Cold and bright with the driest air of the year; the first three weeks are calm and the illuminations are free, but book nothing that needs to be open after Dec 28.
Is December a good time to visit Tokyo?
December is a middling month in Tokyo — crowds around 62/100. Not the worst, but February is noticeably calmer.
What’s on in December
- Year-end shutdown from around Dec 29 — museums and small shops close for the New Year
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 Tokyo, ranked by how calm it is.
Quieter alternatives
If your dates are flexible, these months are calmer in Tokyo.
Book things to do
Tours and tickets in Tokyo, from our booking partner.
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Frequently asked questions
Is December a good month to visit Tokyo?
December is a middling month in Tokyo — crowds around 62/100. Not the worst, but February is noticeably calmer.
How crowded is Tokyo in December?
Tokyo sits at roughly 62/100 in December on our crowd scale, which is 7 points below the yearly average. The quietest month is February.
What is the weather like in Tokyo in December?
Expect highs around 12°C and lows near 4°C in December, with about 5 wet days across the month.