Hiroshima & Miyajima→
Station: HiroshimaHiroshima, Miyajima, Itsukushima Shrine, Atomic Bomb Dome
High
12.1℃
Low
4.0℃
- Precip.
- 54mm
- Sunshine
- 141h
- Sunset
- 17:01
Oyster season. Miyajima's Chinkasai on New Year's Eve
Chugoku & Shikoku Weather Guide
Chugoku & Shikoku Weather in December: What to Wear & Expect
December marks the real start of winter in Chugoku & Shikoku. Hiroshima's high is 12.1°C and mornings are around 4°C. The Seto Inland Sea side gets lots of sunny days, while San'in on the Sea of Japan side sees more cloudy, rainy and snowy days, with snowfall of 27cm in Tottori and 11cm in Matsue. It's the season to enjoy winter delicacies like Hiroshima oysters and Tottori's matsuba crab. Late in the month the Mt. Daisen ski resort opens, and on New Year's Eve Miyajima holds the Chinkasai fire festival.
- Hiroshima high
- 12.1℃
- Hiroshima low
- 4.0℃
- Hiroshima rainfall
- 54mm
- Hiroshima sunset
- 17:01
Overview
Chugoku & Shikoku in December: Key Points
- ✓Hiroshima's high is 12.1°C, with mornings around 4°C. You'll need a winter coat
- ✓Snow begins to fall in San'in. Many cloudy days in Tottori and Matsue
- ✓The season for winter delicacies like oysters and matsuba crab
- ✓Some sights close over the year-end holidays, and transport is crowded
By Area
December Weather by Area
Temperature, precipitation, snow and sunshine are climate normals (1991-2020). Sunset is for December 15.
Onomichi & Shimanami Kaido→
Station: IkuchijimaOnomichi, Shimanami Kaido, Ikuchijima, Imabari
High
11.9℃
Low
3.8℃
- Precip.
- 46.2mm
- Sunshine
- 141h
- Sunset
- 16:59
Highs around 12°C. The sea wind is cold, so dress warmly for cycling
Okayama & Kurashiki→
Station: OkayamaOkayama, Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, Okayama Korakuen, Okayama Castle
High
11.7℃
Low
2.1℃
- Precip.
- 41.5mm
- Sunshine
- 154h
- Sunset
- 16:55
Mornings around 2°C. Lots of sunny days
Izumo & Matsue→
Station: MatsueMatsue, Izumo Taisha, Matsue Castle, Lake Shinji
High
10.9℃
Low
3.6℃
- Precip.
- 154.5mm
- Sunshine
- 79h
- Sunset
- 16:56
11cm of snowfall. Many cloudy, rainy and snowy days, with 78.8 hours of sunshine
Tottori→
Station: TottoriTottori, Tottori Sand Dunes, Uradome Coast, Mt. Daisen
High
10.9℃
Low
3.2℃
- Precip.
- 218.4mm
- Max snow depth
- 15cm
- Sunset
- 16:52
27cm of snowfall. The Mt. Daisen ski resort opens late in the month
Hagi, Tsunoshima & Akiyoshidai→
Station: HagiHagi, Tsunoshima, Akiyoshidai, Kintaikyo Bridge
High
11.8℃
Low
4.3℃
- Precip.
- 86.9mm
- Sunshine
- 83h
- Sunset
- 17:06
Hagi highs around 12°C. More cloudy days on the Sea of Japan side
Takamatsu, Naoshima & Shodoshima→
Station: TakamatsuTakamatsu, Naoshima, Shodoshima, Kotohiragu, Ritsurin Garden
High
12.1℃
Low
4.3℃
- Precip.
- 46.7mm
- Sunshine
- 143h
- Sunset
- 16:55
Highs around 12°C. Mornings around 4°C
Tokushima, Naruto & Iya→
Station: TokushimaTokushima, Naruto Whirlpools, Iya Vine Bridge, Oboke
High
12.5℃
Low
5.2℃
- Precip.
- 63.9mm
- Sunshine
- 160h
- Sunset
- 16:54
Tokushima mornings around 5°C. Mountainous Iya gets much colder than the plains
Matsuyama & Dogo Onsen→
Station: MatsuyamaMatsuyama, Dogo Onsen, Matsuyama Castle, Uchiko
High
12.6℃
Low
4.8℃
- Precip.
- 61.8mm
- Sunshine
- 130h
- Sunset
- 17:02
Highs around 13°C. The season when Dogo Onsen feels wonderful in winter
Kochi & Shimanto→
Station: KochiKochi, Katsurahama Beach, Kochi Castle, Shimanto River
High
14.4℃
Low
4.2℃
- Precip.
- 83.1mm
- Sunshine
- 185h
- Sunset
- 16:59
Highs around 14°C, on the warm side. Lots of sunny days, with 184.6 hours of sunshine
What to Wear
What to Wear in Chugoku & Shikoku in December
Base layer
Thermal underwear
Tops
Sweater or fleece
Outerwear
Down jacket or thick coat
Bottoms
Long pants; thick tights too if you feel the cold
Shoes
Comfortable walking shoes with thick socks
Accessories
Gloves, a scarf and kairo (disposable heat packs)
If you're heading to San'in or mountainous areas like Mt. Daisen and Iya, bring non-slip shoes you can walk on snowy roads in. For nighttime outdoor events like Miyajima's Chinkasai, dress warmly.
Good to Know
Good to Know
Some sights close over the year-end holidays
From around December 29 to around January 3, museums and some shops are closed. Check the opening days of places you want to visit.
Transport is crowded at year-end
In late December, shinkansen and flights are crowded with people heading home. Book your travel early.
Watch for snow in San'in and the mountains
It can snow in Tottori and Matsue, and snow may settle on Mt. Daisen and on mountain passes in the Chugoku Mountains. If you're driving, you'll need winter tires.
Lots of sunny days on the Seto Inland Sea side
The Seto Inland Sea side, including Hiroshima, Okayama and Takamatsu, gets lots of sunny days and is easy to tour even in winter. When combining it with San'in, check the weather forecast.
Events
December Events & Highlights
Matsuba Crab Season
Tottori (Tottori Port, Sakaiminato and more)November 6–March 20The matsuba crab fishing season that opened in November continues, and you can enjoy winter crab dishes.
Daisen White Resort Opens
Mt. Daisen, TottoriUsually late December–Late MarchThe Chugoku region's signature ski resort. The opening date varies with snow conditions.
Chinkasai
Mikasa-no-hama Beach, MiyajimaDecember 31A festival to ward off fire, held on the evening of New Year's Eve, when people carrying torches large and small gather on Mikasa-no-hama Beach in front of Itsukushima Shrine.
Dates change every year. Please check the official websites before you go.
FAQ
FAQ
Q. What's the temperature in Hiroshima in December?＋
On average, the high is 12.1°C and the low is 4.0°C. You'll need a winter coat, gloves and a scarf.
Q. Does it snow in San'in in December?＋
In Tottori and Matsue, snow begins to fall in December. Average snowfall is 27cm in Tottori and 11cm in Matsue.
Q. When are Hiroshima oysters at their best?＋
They are shipped from October to May and are at their most delicious in January and February. You can enjoy oyster dishes in December too.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Chugoku & Shikoku TripPR
Other Months
Chugoku & Shikoku Weather in Other Months
Back to the Chugoku & Shikoku Weather Guide (all months & areas) →
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (climate normals 1991-2020). Compiled by tripuuu.log. Temperatures are from a representative station in each area; actual weather varies from year to year.