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From winter illuminations and snowy weather to uniquely Japanese Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations, December is the most wonderful time of the year.
Table of contents:
Intro
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Japan in December offers everything from winter illuminations and snowy weather to uniquely Japanese Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations. With your Japan Rail Pass in hand, you can explore the entirety of this beautiful and unforgettable country thanks to Japan's world-renowned rail network. Even though winter is here, December has a lot to offer visitors and has become a favourite time of year to experience Japan, especially if you're a fan of snowy weather and spectacular celebrations. Reasons to Visit December
The official start of winter in Japan, December is a unique month and a great time to visit. In fact, the winter months generally are becoming an increasingly popular time to experience Japan, particularly if you're keen to avoid the crowds and you love snowy winter wonderland scenes. December is also a time for celebration, with both Christmas and New Year's Eve, and the weather isn't quite as cold as January or February. Add to that winter food, illuminations, skiing and snowboarding, and much more, and December starts to look better and better.
In Japan, winter is associated with the Shinto concept of purification, and there are echoes between the season and one of Japan's key creation myths about the sun goddess Amaterasu Ōmikami. She was so offended by the actions of her brother, Susanoo no Mikoto, that she hid in a cave, and the absence of her warmth and light brought darkness to the world. The other gods were eventually able to lure her out using a mirror to startle her with her own reflection, returning light to the world. The winter solstice — tōji, which falls around 21–22 December — marks the symbolic return of the sun's light. Traditionally, Japanese people mark the solstice by taking a yuzuyu (yuzu citrus) bath and eating kabocha (winter squash), both believed to ward off colds and bring good fortune.
December weather and what to pack
Note: the figures below are typical averages and vary year to year and by region — always check a forecast before you travel.
December weather in Japan varies enormously depending on where you are. In Tokyo and much of the Pacific coast (including Kyoto and Osaka), December is cold but often bright and dry, with daytime highs typically around 12°C (54°F) and nights dropping to around 4°C (39°F) — pack a warm coat, but you'll likely see plenty of clear blue skies. Head to Hokkaido or the Japan Sea coast and you're in serious snow country, so bring proper winter clothing and footwear. At the other extreme, Okinawa and the subtropical south stay mild, often around 18–20°C (mid-60s°F) — pleasant enough for the beach. In short, layers are your friend, and what you pack should depend on which parts of the country your itinerary covers.
Top 10 Things To Do In Japan in December
With so much happening in Japan during the month of December, it can be hard to choose between all the things to see and do. Thankfully, we’re here to help with our list of top recommendations for Japan in December.
1.) Attend Winter Illuminations
December sees Japan indulge one of its many love affairs with all things shiny and spectacular — in this case, winter illuminations. Of the major cities, Tokyo has a huge number of illuminations in the run-up to Christmas (look out for displays around Marunouchi, Roppongi and Tokyo Midtown), but some of the biggest are elsewhere. Reliable December favourites include Nabana no Sato near Nagoya — one of Japan's largest illuminations — and the Sagamiko Illumination at Sagami Lake Resort Pleasure Forest in Kanagawa, which is said to use around six million LED lights. Exact dates change every year, so check the official sites, and see our guide to Winter Illuminations in Japan You Can't Miss for the full rundown.
Please note: the famous Kobe Luminarie, long a December fixture, has in recent years moved to late January / early February (closer to the anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake it commemorates), so it is no longer a December event. If it's on your list, plan for the new dates. Likewise, Japan's big snow festivals — such as the Sapporo Snow Festival — mostly take place in January and February rather than December, so illuminations are the December highlight.
2.) Visit Hokkaido
Few places in Japan are so perfect for visiting in winter as the northern island of Hokkaido. The cold weather actually accentuates its many qualities. Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido, is famous for its winter celebrations, regional food and incredible landscape. Find out everything you need to know in What Is There To Do in Hokkaido in Winter?
3.) Spend A Unique Christmas in Japan
While not a traditional Japanese celebration, Christmas is getting bigger every year in Japan — and it's a little bit different and uniquely Japanese. Yes, you'll find Santa Claus, Christmas lights and festive winter markets, but there are some key differences too. For a start, when it comes to food, it's a Kentucky Fried Christmas: believe it or not, KFC is a hugely popular Christmas meal in Japan, reportedly enjoyed by around 3.6 million households, a phenomenon widely attributed to a successful "Kentucky for Christmas" advertising campaign launched in 1974. Then there's Christmas cake — a sponge topped with cream and strawberries — which Japan's middle class embraced as a symbol of prosperity in the post-war years. And don't forget the romance: Christmas Eve is celebrated by couples, a little like Valentine's Day in the West, with gifts often exchanged on the Eve rather than on Christmas Day. Looking for somewhere to celebrate with family? One of the most fun places is Tokyo Disney Resort, which goes big on Christmas every year. For more, read Do People Celebrate Christmas in Japan?
4.) Celebrate New Year Japanese-style
New Year is the most important celebration in Japan, and it all begins on 31 December. While Shōgatsu is the overall name for the celebrations, there are many special traditions to look out for, such as Hatsuhinode (the first sunrise), Hatsumōde (the first shrine visit), omamori (good-luck charms) and shishimai (a traditional lion dance).
The final day of the year, 31 December, is called ōmisoka. In keeping with Shinto beliefs, houses are thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom to welcome the gods — a tradition known as ōsōji ('big cleaning'). Shops do the same, and merchants often use the moment to sell off old stock in fukubukuro, or lucky bags. It's also customary to pay off outstanding debts and settle disputes before the New Year, to start afresh. On New Year's Eve itself, families gather to watch special TV programmes (such as the popular music show Kōhaku Uta Gassen) and eat toshikoshi soba ('year-crossing' buckwheat noodles), in the belief that their lives will be as long as the noodles. At midnight, Buddhist temples across Japan ring their bells (bonshō) exactly 108 times, a ritual known as Joya no Kane.
For a big countdown atmosphere, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is well known for its New Year's Eve countdown party, while Tokyo Disney Resort holds its own special New Year's celebrations. Read our detailed guide to Celebrating New Year in Japan to find out more.
5.) Festivals in December
As well as the big New Year celebrations, December has its own matsuri (festivals). The most spectacular is the Chichibu Night Festival (Chichibu Yomatsuri) in Saitama Prefecture, held annually on 2–3 December, famous for its ornate floats and winter fireworks. Various temples in Kyoto also hold traditional daikon-daki (radish-cooking) blessing events during December. Festivals take place across Japan all year round; for recommendations, read our guide to Japan's Top Festivals.
6.) Explore a Winter Wonderland in Shirakawa-go
Shirakawa-go is a travel destination right out of a snowy fairy tale. Hidden away in the Japanese Alps, the region was long isolated from the outside world, resulting in a unique local culture marked by its gasshō-style houses with distinctive steep, inverted-V roofs. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and December is a wonderful time to see those houses covered in snow. Read our guide to Visiting Shirakawa-go with the JR Pass for more.
7.) Enjoy Winter Food
Japan is a paradise for food lovers all year round, and December is no exception. The winter months are known for wholesome, hearty food designed to warm you up. Look out for nabe (Japanese hot pot), as well as sukiyaki and shabu-shabu. You'll also find warming ramen, oysters (kaki), chestnuts, sweet potato, mackerel, sanma (Pacific saury) and more. There's even food specifically for New Year's Eve: toshikoshi soba, the year-crossing noodles mentioned above. Of course, you're not restricted to seasonal dishes — Japan offers everything from Michelin-starred fine dining to sushi, street food and cosy izakaya meals. Find out more in our Beginner's Guide to Japanese Food.
8.) Go Skiing and Snowboarding
December is a great time for winter sports. Having hosted the Winter Olympics twice (Sapporo 1972 and Nagano 1998), it's no surprise that winter sports are hugely popular in Japan, and December is the start of peak season. The country has hundreds of ski resorts with some of the best powder snow anywhere in the world — and, amazingly, one of the very best is only around three hours from Tokyo. Hakuba Valley in the Japanese Alps served as a main venue for the 1998 Nagano Games and, with its stunning peaks, light powder and nearby hot springs, is a genuine winter wonderland. Read our guides to Hakuba Valley and to Skiing and Snowboarding in Japan.
9.) Warm up in an onsen
What better way to warm up after skiing than to lower yourself into a steaming onsen? Quintessentially Japanese, almost nothing competes with the relaxation of bathing in a hot spring — whether at a traditional ryokan inn, an onsen town, a spa resort, or even outdoors in the mountains. December is an ideal month for it. For an overview plus etiquette advice, read our Relax and Unwind in an Onsen guide.
10.) Head to Okinawa’s subtropical beaches
Finally, if you need a break from the snow and fancy spending December in a totally different way, why not head to Japan's subtropical south, where white-sand beaches await? Check out our guide to Japan's Best Beaches for a few ideas.
Bonus Recommendations
- What is it like to travel during the holiday period in Japan? Read our guide to Things You Need To Know While Travelling During Japan’s Holidays for more.
- While not as cold as January and February, temperatures are still on the lower side during December (unless you head to the south of the country). This means dressing appropriately for cold weather and packing the right suitable clothing and footwear. Find out more by reading our guide to Spending Winter in Japan.
- Unsure if December is right for you? Read our month by month description of Japan’s weather and seasons, When Is The Best Time To Visit Japan?
- Whatever month you choose to visit, it’s super useful to stay connected to the internet and not just to upload selfies to social media. Whether you need language tips or directions, investing in a PocketWifi device for constant internet access and high speed unlimited data is highly recommended.
If your December visit to Japan is your first time in the country, why not make life easier by using our Meet & Greet service on arrival? It’s like having an expert on Japan as your personal assistant. We’ll take care of you from the moment you arrive.
FAQs
1. Is December a good time to visit Japan?
Yes. December brings spectacular winter illuminations, hearty seasonal food, the start of ski season and a uniquely Japanese Christmas and New Year, often with crisp, dry, sunny weather on the Pacific coast. It's also less crowded than the peak seasons — though the New Year period itself is very busy.
2. What is the weather like in Japan in December?
It varies by region. Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are cold but often bright and dry, with daytime highs typically around 12°C (54°F). Hokkaido and the Japan Sea coast are snowy and much colder, while Okinawa stays mild at around 18–20°C. Always check a forecast for your specific destinations.
3. How is Christmas celebrated in Japan?
Christmas in Japan is festive but not a public holiday. It's celebrated more as a romantic occasion for couples than a family religious holiday. Popular traditions include eating KFC and strawberry Christmas cake, exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve, and visiting winter illuminations.
4. What happens at New Year in Japan?
New Year (Shōgatsu) is Japan's most important holiday. Traditions include a thorough house-cleaning (ōsōji), eating toshikoshi soba on New Year's Eve, temple bells rung 108 times at midnight (Joya no Kane), and the first shrine visit of the year (Hatsumōde). Many businesses close for the first few days of January.
5. Is it busy to travel by train around New Year?
Yes. Roughly 28 December to 6 January is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The JR Pass is valid throughout with no surcharge, but reserve your seats (free with the pass) several days ahead to be sure of a seat.
