Central Tokyo→
Station: TokyoShinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Ginza
High
12.0℃
Low
3.8℃
- Precip.
- 57.9mm
- Sunshine
- 174h
- Sunset
- 16:29
Golden ginkgo avenues into early December. Illuminations in Marunouchi and Omotesando
Tokyo Weather Guide
Tokyo Weather in December: What to Wear & Expect
December in Tokyo brings a run of sunny, dry winter days. Central Tokyo's high is 12.0°C, with mornings around 4°C. The ginkgo avenues and garden foliage of central Tokyo can be enjoyed into early December, and the city sparkles with Christmas illuminations. Note that some facilities close over the year-end holidays. In Kusatsu and Oku-Nikko, snow settles and ski season begins.
- Tokyo high
- 12.0℃
- Tokyo low
- 3.8℃
- Tokyo rainfall
- 57.9mm
- Tokyo sunset
- 16:29
Overview
Tokyo in December: Key Points
- ✓Central Tokyo's high is 12.0°C, with mornings around 4°C. You'll need a winter coat
- ✓Lots of sunny days, with only about 58 mm of rain for the month
- ✓Central Tokyo's autumn leaves last until early December, and illuminations are at their best
- ✓Some facilities close over the year-end holidays (from around December 29)
By Area
December Weather by Area
Temperature, precipitation, snow and sunshine are climate normals (1991-2020). Sunset is for December 15.
Yokohama→
Station: YokohamaMinato Mirai, Chinatown, Red Brick Warehouse
High
12.5℃
Low
5.2℃
- Precip.
- 66.4mm
- Sunshine
- 178h
- Sunset
- 16:30
The Minato Mirai night view and a Christmas market
Kamakura & Enoshima→
Station: TsujidoKamakura, Enoshima, Shonan
High
13.2℃
Low
4.1℃
- Precip.
- 63.7mm
- Sunshine
- 192h
- Sunset
- 16:31
Lots of sunny days, plus illuminations on Enoshima
Hakone→
Station: GotembaHakone-Yumoto, Gora, Lake Ashi, Owakudani
High
10.4℃
Low
0.5℃
- Precip.
- 104.3mm
- Sunshine
- 166h
- Sunset
- 16:33
Mornings around 0°C. The most rewarding season for hot springs
Fuji Five Lakes→
Station: KawaguchikoLake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka, Oshino Hakkai
High
8.5℃
Low
−2.9℃
- Precip.
- 49.8mm
- Sunshine
- 200h
- Sunset
- 16:33
Mornings around -3°C. Snowcapped Mt. Fuji is clearly visible
Nikko→
Station: Oku-NikkoNikko, Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls, Kinugawa Onsen
High
2.8℃
Low
−4.9℃
- Precip.
- 58.4mm
- Max snow depth
- 15cm
- Sunset
- 16:27
Oku-Nikko's high is around 3°C, and it's snow season. Watch out for icy roads
Karuizawa→
Station: KaruizawaKaruizawa, Kyu-Karuizawa, Shiraito Falls
High
5.3℃
Low
−5.3℃
- Precip.
- 29.6mm
- Max snow depth
- 12cm
- Sunset
- 16:32
Mornings around -5°C. The Christmas decorations are beautiful
Kusatsu Onsen→
Station: KusatsuKusatsu, Yubatake, Sainokawara
High
2.9℃
Low
−4.8℃
- Precip.
- 60.4mm
- Max snow depth
- 37cm
- Sunset
- 16:31
About 40 cm of snow on the ground. Ski season starts late in the month
Izu→
Station: AjiroAtami, Ito, Jogasaki Coast
High
12.9℃
Low
6.6℃
- Precip.
- 66.3mm
- Sunshine
- 143h
- Sunset
- 16:33
Highs around 13°C, relatively warm. Atami's winter fireworks too
What to Wear
What to Wear in Tokyo in December
Base layer
Thermal underwear if you feel the cold
Tops
Sweater or fleece
Outerwear
Down jacket or wool coat
Bottoms
Long pants
Shoes
Sneakers are fine in Tokyo. Shoes for snowy roads in Nikko and Kusatsu
Accessories
Gloves and a scarf; lip balm for the dry air
Seeing the illuminations at night gets cold, so gloves and a scarf are a good idea. For Nikko, Kusatsu and Karuizawa, pack midwinter gear.
Good to Know
Good to Know
Year-end and New Year closures
From around December 29 to around January 3, museums, government offices and some shops and restaurants are closed. Check the opening days of places you want to visit.
Christmas is crowded
Illumination spots and popular restaurants get crowded during the Christmas season. We recommend booking restaurants early.
Dry air
Winter in Tokyo has low humidity, so your throat and skin dry out easily. Moisturizer and a face mask help you stay comfortable.
Bring winter gear for the mountain areas
Nikko, Kusatsu and Karuizawa have snow and icy roads. If you're driving a rental car, you'll need winter tires.
Events
December Events & Highlights
The trees along Marunouchi Naka-dori are wrapped in champagne-gold lights. Combine it with a stroll around Tokyo Station.
Read the guide：Marunouchi Illumination →A year-end tradition, with stalls selling ornate hagoita (decorative battledores with raised-cloth designs) lining the temple grounds.
Read the guide：Hagoita-ichi (Battledore Market) →Tours & tickets for this eventPR
- PRKlookKimono & Yukata Rental (Tokyo, Kimono Miyabi)Rent a kimono at a shop near Asakusa Station. Shawls and other warm accessories are also available to borrowView on Klook
- PRKlookAsakusa Kimono Rental "Yae"A kimono rental in Asakusa with plans including hair styling and English- and Chinese-speaking staffView on Klook
Joya no Kane (New Year's Eve Bells)
Zojoji, Sensoji and moreDecember 31On New Year's Eve, temple bells are rung 108 times to welcome the new year. Many people go straight on to their first shrine visit of the year, so temples and shrines stay crowded late into the night.
A fireworks show over the sea that began in 1952 and is held more than ten times a year in Atami Bay. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the bowl-shaped bay makes the sound echo, giving it the impact of a stadium. Shows are held in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, with about 5,000 shells launched in summer and about 3,000 in other seasons.
Read the guide：Atami Fireworks Festival →Tours & tickets for this eventPR
- PRKlookHakone & Atami Fireworks Day Tour from Tokyo: Mt. Fuji, Hakone Shrine & Lakeside Torii, Lake Ashi Stroll, Atami Sun Beach & Atami Fireworks FestivalA bus tour from Tokyo covering Hakone sightseeing and the Atami fireworks in one day (view from the beach or a sightseeing boat)View on Klook
- PRKlookFireworks Days Only | Atami & Kamakura Fireworks Day Tour from TokyoA day tour from Tokyo combining sightseeing in Kamakura and Enoshima with the Atami fireworksView on Klook
Dates change every year. Please check the official websites before you go.
FAQ
FAQ
Q. What's the temperature in Tokyo in December?＋
On average, the high is 12.0°C and the low is 3.8°C. You'll need a winter coat.
Q. Can you still see autumn leaves in Tokyo in December?＋
The ginkgo avenue at Jingu Gaien and gardens around Tokyo usually have autumn leaves until early December.
Q. What should I watch out for on a Tokyo trip over the New Year holidays?＋
From around December 29 to around January 3, some facilities and shops are closed. Check opening days in advance.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Tokyo TripPR
Other Months
Tokyo Weather in Other Months
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.
