01Weather
Tokyo weather in December
Afternoons in December average 12.3 °C (54 °F) and nights cool to 4.5 °C (40 °F). The month brings about 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain spread over roughly 6 days. Compared with November it is 5.1 °C cooler; January is 2.0 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 16 °C / 62 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 9 °C / 48 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 1 °C / 34 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.8 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 19 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 23.4 °C / -2.1 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 06:32 | 16:27 | 9.9 h |
| 15 December | 06:43 | 16:28 | 9.8 h |
| 31 December | 06:50 | 16:37 | 9.8 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 6 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Tokyo).
03Crowds
How busy Tokyo is in December
busy The main sights are busy in December. What drives it:
- illuminations citywide
- year-end parties
- many businesses close from 29 December
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
No public holidays in Japan fall in December, so shops and museums keep normal hours all month.
05Events
What's on in Tokyo in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Winter illuminations | November to February, Marunouchi, Roppongi, Shibuya | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Tokyo in December
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cold, dry and sunny, with afternoons around 12 °C, illuminations across Marunouchi, Roppongi Hills and Shibuya, and a festive mood despite Christmas not being a public holiday; Christmas Eve is a couples' night out, with restaurants booked solid. From 29 December many businesses close for the New Year and transport fills with people heading home, while department stores stay open and the temples prepare for the midnight bells on the 31st.
Early December is calm and good value, with the last of the autumn colour at Rikugien in the first week and the Chichibu Night Festival, two hours away, on 2 and 3 December. The Emperor's Birthday is no longer in December; the only closures are the year-end ones. Frost is common but snow is rare. For hatsumode on 1 January and the quiet, clear days that follow, see January.
09Compare
Tokyo month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10 °C | 2 °C | 4 | – | moderate | Good |
| February | 12 °C | 3 °C | 7 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 16 °C | 7 °C | 9 | – | busy | Mixed |
| April | 20 °C | 11 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Good |
| May | 24 °C | 16 °C | 9 | – | busy | Good |
| June | 27 °C | 20 °C | 12 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| July | 31 °C | 24 °C | 12 | – | busy | Mixed |
| August | 32 °C | 25 °C | 8 | – | busy | Good |
| September | 28 °C | 22 °C | 12 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| October | 22 °C | 16 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| November | 17 °C | 10 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| December | 12 °C | 4 °C | 6 | – | busy | Good |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Tokyo.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto in December | 12 °C | 7 |
| Seoul in December | 4 °C | 11 |
| Shanghai in December | 12 °C | 8 |
| Beijing in December | 5 °C | 1 |
| Bangkok in December | 33 °C | – |
| Singapore in December | 31 °C | 16 |
11FAQ
Tokyo in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Tokyo?
December is a good month to visit Tokyo. Daytime highs average 12 °C (54 °F), rain falls on about 6 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in Tokyo in December?
Expect cool days around 12 °C (54 °F) and nights near 4 °C (40 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 16 °C, and one in ten stays below 9 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Tokyo in December?
December brings about 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain over roughly 6 days, which is fairly dry by Tokyo standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 19 percent.
What should I wear in Tokyo in December?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Tokyo crowded in December?
The main sights are busy in December. Main drivers: illuminations citywide; year-end parties; many businesses close from 29 December.
What time does it get dark in Tokyo in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 16:28 and rises at 06:43, giving 9.8 hours of daylight.