Japan weather in December
Japan in December averages 3°C (37°F), 32 mm of rain and 5.1 hours of sun a day.
Of the twelve months in Japan, December is the third coldest and the driest.
- Average temp
- 3°C (37°F)
-2–8°C · 28–46°F
- Rainfall
- 32 mm
Not much rain
- Sunshine
- 5.1 h
hours per day
What is Japan like in December?
Daytime
Days are cool.
Rain
Rain is usually light.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What should I pack for Japan in December?
A warm mid-layer
Nights drop to around -2°C (28°F).
December compared with November and January
December in Japan is 5.4°C cooler than November and 23 mm drier than it, which averages 8°C (47°F).
December in Japan is 2.6°C warmer than January and 13 mm drier than it, which averages 0°C (32°F).
Daylight in Japan in December
On 15 December the sun is up for 9 hours 43 minutes in Japan, rising about 06:50 and setting about 16:33 local time.
No month in Japan has less daylight than December.
Japan weather by month
TemperatureRainfall
How December compares with the rest of the year
December is highlighted. Every other month links to its own page.
| Month | Average | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0°C / 32°F | 45 mm |
| February | 1°C / 34°F | 35 mm |
| March | 5°C / 41°F | 83 mm |
| April | 11°C / 52°F | 78 mm |
| May | 17°C / 63°F | 92 mm |
| June | 21°C / 70°F | 114 mm |
| July | 25°C / 76°F | 130 mm |
| August | 26°C / 79°F | 98 mm |
| September | 21°C / 71°F | 156 mm |
| October | 14°C / 58°F | 128 mm |
| November | 8°C / 47°F | 56 mm |
| December | 3°C / 37°F | 32 mm |
Check another month
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FAQs about Japan in December
December climate averages for Japan, 1991–2020.
Japan averages 3°C (37°F) in December, ranging from about -2°C (28°F) at night to 8°C (46°F) in the afternoon. That is a 1991–2020 average, so an individual week can run either side of it.
Barely. December sees only about 32 mm, so rain is unlikely to affect your plans.
Yes. December averages 3°C (37°F) against 0°C (32°F) in January — 2.6°C warmer.
December is 5.4°C cooler than November, and 23 mm drier.
It is outside the easiest window. The most comfortable stretch here is May to October; December sits outside it, which usually means more heat, more rain, or both — worth it if you would rather have the place to yourself.
About 5.1 hours of sun a day on the 1991–2020 average.
This page does not show today's weather. It is a 1991–2020 climate normal from Meteostat — a long-run average of what December is usually like, which is what you want when booking months ahead. For today or the coming week, check a live forecast.
About 9 hours 43 minutes of daylight in mid-December, the least of any month in Japan.
On 15 December, sunrise is about 06:50 and sunset about 16:33 local time. Both shift across the month.
