December in Tokyo averages highs of 11 °C (53 °F) and lows of 2 °C (36 °F), with about 5 rainy days and 9 h 45 min of daylight.
December weather in Tokyo at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is December a good time to visit Tokyo?
Tough month: cold and some rain. December is usually shoulder season in Tokyo: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in December 2026
No public holidays fall in December 2026 in Japan, so opening hours should be normal.
Things to do in Tokyo in December
December's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Senso-ji and Asakusa — early morning outdoors
- Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky — dusk outdoors
- Meiji Shrine and Harajuku outdoors
- Shinjuku Gyoen — gardens, great in blossom season outdoors
- teamLab Planets or Borderless — timed tickets indoors
- Tsukiji Outer Market — breakfast indoors
Where to stay: Shinjuku or Shibuya for energy and trains; Asakusa for old Tokyo and value; Ginza for upmarket.
What to pack for Tokyo in December
- A warm jacket and layers; evenings drop to around 2 °C (36 °F).
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Tokyo costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €60–130 | €160–330 |
Excluding flights. December is usually shoulder season in Tokyo: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
December in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyoto | 11° / 1° | 6 | Tough month |
| Bangkok | 31° / 22° | 2 | Good time to go |
| Singapore | 29° / 24° | 25 | Tough month |
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FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Tokyo?
By the numbers, December is a tough month: cold and some rain, with average highs of 11 °C (53 °F) and about 5 rainy days. December is usually shoulder season in Tokyo: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower. The best months for weather are April, May.
How warm is Tokyo in December?
Average highs are 11 °C (53 °F) and lows 2 °C (36 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Tokyo in December?
Expect about 5 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 61 mm in total. It is the 2nd driest month of the year in Tokyo.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.