Kyoto Weather in December

Season: Winter
In short:
1. As winter just begins, the weather of Kyoto gets cold, but not freezing.
2. Sunny days show up frequently this month, while the first snow in winter can happen.
3. Kyoto attracts more tourists in early and late December, by virtue of foliage and new year celebrations.

Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka in December

Cold Winter Begins

December marks the beginning of Kyoto’s winter, as the temperature goes down in general and the average temperature is only 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit). The weather of Kyoto this month is mainly affected the cold northwest monsoon and the basin terrain, so cold air is likely to accumulate in the city, bringing low temperature in constant days.

In this month, the high temperatures are typically from 16 to 6°C (61 to 43°F), and the weather in the daytime is usually cold but not frigid. Even on sunny days with the high temperature above 15°C (59°F), the temperature difference in one day can be 12°C (54°F). As time passes in this month, the low temperatures generally see a decrease from 8 to 0°C (46 to 32°F). Even though the weather hasn’t been freezing, it’s still better to stay indoors to keep warm after sunset, only if the scenery is quite worth a view at night.

Least Precipitation in a Year

Monthly precipitation of Kyoto in December is the least all year round, which is only 49 mm. In this month, there are about 9 precipitation days in total. On the other days, the sky is more often clear, providing a good weather condition and also high visibility for visitors to enjoy landscapes and admire ancient buildings in the city.

Will It Snow in Kyoto in December?

In this month, the first snow in winter of Kyoto can happen, probably in the form of sleet, although it basically won’t be quite heavy due to the obstruction of surrounding mountains to moisture in the air. Moreover, the accumulated snow won’t settle for long in this 0°C-and-above environment. For anyone who wants to enjoy snow scenery, go to Arashiyama with mountains.

Snow Scenery in Arashiyama in December

Shortest Daytime in a Year

Sunrise: 06:46-07:04

Sunset: 16:45-16:55

In the entire month, daytime of Kyoto is no longer than 10 hours, and on around December 21, it reduces to the shortest duration in the entire year, which is 9 hours and 48 minutes long. If your Kyoto is scheduled for December, 2025, you may not have enough time to visit too many attractions in a day, so just slow down the pace and stay in the city for a few more days.

Note: Admissions to most attractions stop at around 16:00.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Kyoto?

December can be regarded as a good time to travel to Kyoto, as long as necessary measures are taken to keep warm in relatively cold weather.

For those who are keen on enjoying natural scenery, seize early December, the last few days of Kyoto foliage season.

For those who want to have a relatively serene tour, choose the middle 10 days in this month. The foliage season has just ended, and the Christmas and the New Year Holiday haven’t begun yet. Costs and crowds are both at a low level, and your travel experience can be more comfortable.

For those who intend to celebrate New Year in Kyoto, if you’re OK to spend more on flight tickets and hotel rooms, just come to experience the Japanese New Year vibe.

What to Wear in Kyoto in December?

Note: It’s recommended to wear clothes in multiple layers, so that you can take off your jacket in warmer trains and restaurants.

Warm winter clothes: For tops, thermal underwear, a woolen sweater, and a windproof down jacket are suitable. For bottoms, thermal leggings / long johns are recommended as the inner layer, and jeans / sweatpants serve as the outer layer.

Shoes and socks: Thick sneakers or leather boots keep your feet warm, and woolen socks help a lot if you’re requested to take off shoes when you do sightseeing in the interior space of some temples.

Others:
1. Warm accessories including a woolen scarf and a beanie help block cold winds, especially at dawn and dusk.
2. You may feel dry on days without precipitation, so bring a lotion for moisturizing your skin.
3. Cold medicine is also requisite in view of the large temperature variation in a day.

Top Things to Do in Kyoto Foliage Season

1. View Iconic Fiery Leaves and Sunset in Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Standing on the wooden-structure-supported Kiyomizu Stage and looking forward, you will be impressed by a vast area of maple forests in a fiery-red hue. When the sun is setting, the sky is dyed brilliantly gold, and the nearby crimson-red Yasaka-no-to Pagoda looks even more beautiful. All these constitute a fabulous scene worth capturing with a camera.

Tip: The viewing effect is better after 10:00.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

2. Enjoy Night Foliage Scenery in Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

After sunset, warm-yellow illumination in the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine creates a tranquil atmosphere for visitors to view red foliage under the dark sky. Ancient buildings and maple trees with red, yellow, and green leaves set each other off. Just wander around the shrine, and admire the colorful and harmonious scenery at night.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

3. Drift through Maple-covered Mountains in Arashiyama

In addition to visiting shrines and temples, a more dynamic way to view foliage is unmissable, which is drifting on the Hozu River for about 16 kilometers (10 miles) to view maple and pine forests on both sides. During the process, foliage scenery under bright sunshine constantly changes and interactions with boatmen add lots of fun.

Drifting in Arashiyama to View Red Foliage

Tips on Traveling in Kyoto in December

1. In early and late December, Kyoto is in its peak season, when air and train tickets, and hotel rooms are in great demand. In view of this, make reservations well in advance is necessary.

2. In the evening of December 31, 2025, new year celebrations will be held in the Chionin Temple and the Yasaka Shrine. As a reminder, if you want to watch the bell-ringing ceremony, please be prepared that you may queue for hours at cold night.