Tokyo Weather in December

Season: Early Winter
In Short: Dry and cold, rarely snow

As winter is coming, the weather in December in Tokyo is cold and the climate is dry. Although December is not the coldest time yet, visitors still need to pay attention to the low temperature and wear warm clothes. It hardly snows in this month so the rainfall is low. To prevent feeling dry, it is advisable for visitors to drink more water and use moisturizing products. In early month, there are some places where you can still appreciate the red maple leaves.
See also: Japan Weather in December

Akihabara Night Scenery in December

Temperature

The average highest temperature is about 12℃ (53.6℉) and the lowest is 7℃ (44.6℉). But the temperature seldom falls below 0℃ (32℉) so it is not that cold. However, visitors still need to bring enough thick clothes if traveling to Tokyo in December to prevent getting cold.
Average High Temperature: 12°C / 53.6°F
Average Low Temperature: 7°C / 44.6°F

Rainfall

In this month, the climate becomes drier and the average monthly rainfall is only 50mm. It only has 3 rainy or snowy days and the humidity is about 46%. Visitors who travel in this month should drink enough water every day to keep moist.
Average Rainy Days: 3 days
Average Humidity: 46%

Sunrise & Sunset

December has the shortest daytime in the whole year. The sun rises at around 06:44 and falls at around 16:29 which means it only has about 9.8h of daylight hours. But the good news is that the sunshine hours reach around 6.3h which means in most of the time visitors can travel under the sunshine in the day.
Daylight hours: about 9.8h
Sunshine hours: around 6.3h

Recommended Clothes to Wear in December

In December, please make sure you wear enough clothes to protect yourself from the cold air. What’s more, the outer clothes should be convenient to be taken off because it’s warm indoors thanks to the advanced heating system.

Girls

Tops: Outer clothes like padded overcoat and down coat are the best choices for the outdoor activities. For traveling in indoor places, a wool sweater with thermal shirt can basically keep you warm.
Bottoms & shoes: For bottoms, girls can choose to wear winter pants or thick sweatpants. A pair of sneakers or snow boots can help you keep warm and also make your walking easier.

Boys

Tops: Down coat or thick outdoor jacket are suitable for the weather outside. For indoor places, a thick sweater is enough for boys.
Bottoms & shoes: For bottoms boys can choose the winter pants. Long johns with sweatpants can also be good. To match the pants, a pair of hiking shoes is recommended to prepare.

Accessories: Furthermore, gloves, scarf and winter hat are also needed. If necessary, people who are afraid of coldness can bring some warm pastes.

Top Attractions to Visit in Tokyo in December

Travel Recommendation:  

1. Rikugien

Rikugien is known as one of the most popular places to view the red maple leaves in autumn till early December. It has 400 maple trees and many ginkgo trees which make the whole garden pretty colorful. On normal days, entry is prohibited here at night but in red maple leaves season, it opens to the public and it also holds special lighting activity so visitors can appreciate different red leaves scenery at night. Except maple leaves, the Rikugien itself is also a famous and beautiful garden to visit. What’s more, it is close to other famous attractions like Ueno Park and Nezu Shrine. Visitors can visit these attractions all together.

2. Yoyogi Park - Shibuya Blue Cave Illumination

December in Tokyo is cold, but at the end of the year, the city is full of festive atmosphere. At this time, all the business streets have light shows, but the most famous and fantastic light show is the one in Yoyogi Park, Shibuya Street. As the most splendid light show in Tokyo, the 800-meter-long (880 yards) street is decorated by more than 770,000 lights which is absolutely an amazing sight for visitors. The main color of the Yoyogi Park light show is cyan and it is a must-see spot in December.

3. The Sanrio Puroland & Tokyo Disneyland - Christmas Celebrations

Around Christmas, visitors can find the Christmas markets everywhere and all of them provide souvenirs and Christmas gifts for you to choose from. If you travel in Tokyo with your kids in Christmas season, the Sanrio Puroland and Tokyo Disneyland are recommended for you. The Sanrio Puroland and Tokyo Disneyland have special Christmas activities for children. Not only the whole scene has a strong Christmas atmosphere, but also the animated characters and items for sale in the park are in Christmas decorations. 

4. Meiji Jingu Shrine - Hatsumode

Hatsumode means the first shrine or temple visit in the New Year. In the last day of December, all the shrines and temples in Tokyo holds grand celebrations to welcome the New Year. The Meiji Jingu Shrine is the most popular place to go and you can hear 108 New Year's welcoming bell rings on New Year’s Eve. The 108 bells correspond to the 108 troubles of people in Buddhism so people who make the Hatsumode can be blessed with good luck and prosperity in the following year.

December Weather for Other Cities in Japan:

• Kyoto Weather in December
• Osaka Weather in December
• Nara Weather in December

Tokyo Weather by Month