For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in Japan during December have been around +10°C.
The weather differs across the Japan in December. You may encounter maximum temperatures of +10°C at noon in Okinawa and +1°C in Sapporo. So plan your activities, and packing, based on the individual locations rather than the country as a whole.
Temperature, wind and humidity in December
Average
Akita
Fukuoka
Nagoya
Okinawa
Osaka
Sapporo
Tokyo
☀️
+10°C
Avg. max. temperature
-19°C
Min.
+28°C
Max.
70 mm
Total precipitation
69%
Avg. humidity
3 m/s
Avg. wind
4 ☀️
Sunny Days
11 ⛅️
Cloudy
11 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: Japan has OK weather in December.
Japan in December – what city is the…
rainiest? Akita, with an average of 4 mm of rain and humidity of 74%;
warmest? Okinawa, with daytime temperatures averaging +20°C;
windiest? Okinawa, with an average of 5 m/s;
coolest? Sapporo, with daytime temperatures averaging +1°C;
Avionero - Smarter Travel Planning for a Better World
Cheapest prices on the market!
Check all your dates and date combinations in a single search!
Want inspiration, set your dates and find the cheapest destinations!
Saves your searches in the browser so you can easily return to them!
Donates 10% of all revenue to charity!
How good is the weather in Japan in December?
During December, the Japan is characterized by variable weather with air pressure around 1013 HPa and therefore elements of sun, rain, and wind – with a little extra emphasis on the latter two. The humidity in December ranges between 54% in Tokyo and 74% in Akita.
Variable weather with sun, rain and wind: +10°C in average daily temperature.
This is how hot it usually is in December
The average daily temperatures above don't tell you everything about how hot it can be in Japan. For example, cold nights can make a big difference for those staying in tents or unheated houses. Extra hot days, on the other hand, can make a big difference for those who plan to engage in demanding physical training or competition. So here are some more temperatures for December:
Average
Akita
Fukuoka
Nagoya
Okinawa
Osaka
Sapporo
Tokyo
Average maximum temperature for the month: +10°C;
Average minimum temperature for the month: +4°C;
Highest monthly temperature: +12°C;
Lowest monthly temperature: +2°C;
Monthly temperatures:
Average
Akita
Fukuoka
Nagoya
Okinawa
Osaka
Sapporo
Tokyo
Warmest: August with an average +30°C during the day;
Coldest: January with an average +8°C of the day;
Hottest month in hottest city: July in Okinawa;
Coldest month in coolest city: January in Sapporo;
Winds in Japan during December
Wind speed in Japan in December based on historical data:
Average
Akita
Fukuoka
Nagoya
Okinawa
Osaka
Sapporo
Tokyo
December tends to offer light winds averaging 3 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in December:
Highest average wind speed: Tokyo with 4 m/s;
Lowest average wind speed: Fukuoka with 2 m/s;
Windiest day of the month: Okinawa with 5 m/s;
The least windy day of the month: Fukuoka with 2 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in Japan in December
Amount of rainfall in mm during December in Japan based on historical data:
Average
Akita
Fukuoka
Nagoya
Okinawa
Osaka
Sapporo
Tokyo
December tends to be an extremely humid month with 73% humidity and 137 mm rainfall. In general the humidity tends to be a little lower in mountainous regions and more humid closer to water.
Comparison between cities in December:
Average
Akita
Fukuoka
Nagoya
Okinawa
Osaka
Sapporo
Tokyo
Highest average rainfall: Akita with 124 mm;
Lowest average rainfall: Sapporo with 24 mm;
Most number of rainy days: Okinawa with 18 rainy days;
Least number of rainy days: Sapporo with 3 rainy days;
Highest risk of rain during the day: Okinawa with 58%;
Least risk of rain during the day: Sapporo with 10%;
Highest average humidity: Akita with 74%;
Lowest average humidity: Tokyo with 54%;
Snow
Amount of snow in mm. during December in Japan based on historical data:
Average
Akita
Fukuoka
Nagoya
Okinawa
Osaka
Sapporo
Tokyo
Total snow in December is about 6 mm, with a 7% chance of snow on a typical day.
Comparison between cities in December:
Average
Akita
Fukuoka
Nagoya
Okinawa
Osaka
Sapporo
Tokyo
Highest average snowfall: Akita with 71 mm;
Lowest average snowfall: Okinawa with 0 mm;
Most number of snowy days: Sapporo with 19 snowy days;
Least number of snowy days: Nagoya with 0 snowy days;
Highest chance of snow during the day: Sapporo with 61%;
Least chance of snow during the day: Nagoya with 0%;
Tips for traveling to Japan in December
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for Japan? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the Japan based on the weather that December is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
rainy, mild weather with light winds and very high humidity in December
Pack right for December
The weather makes a difference when it comes to packing - especially which items should go in your suitcase. The tips below are designed to help you pack light and right without carrying more than necessary.
For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
Cool weather is between warm and cold. This means you can bring long pants and/or a longer skirt and an extra sweater. Be aware that cool days can alternate with cold nights - it may be wise to also pack a hat, gloves and a scarf.
Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Japan in December:
What can you do outside when it's warm in Japan?
Bathing and sunbathing can be suitable. Warm (but not hot) days are also good for activities that are not so physically demanding: sightseeing on foot, by boat, on a scooter, camel riding. You can also exercise easily as long as you make sure to cool down and quench thirst.
Is December a good time to visit Japan?
It’s always a good time to visit Japan, but the weather is changeable in December, so plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and exploring, and pack for every eventuality.
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Japan, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.