Japan
Hiroshima in December
❄️ WinterCool and some showers.
🎒 Pack: warm jacket for evenings
Why December scores 8.7What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort8.0
- !Cool (12°C highs / 4°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 2.3°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~54 mm rain)
- Air quality8.8
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~13 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | Nov | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.7 Excellent | 9.1 Excellent |
| Season | ❄️ Winter | 🍁 Autumn (koyo) |
| High / low | 12° / 4° | 18° / 9° |
| Rain | 54 mm | 69 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 2° | dew pt 8° |
| PM2.5 | 13 µg/m³ | 13 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Hiroshima weather-station normals. Rainfall: Hiroshima weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- Year-end & New Year break 29 Dec – 3 Jan
Most businesses and some attractions close; trains and flights are busy around the start and end. Source: Japan National Tourism Organization
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Hiroshima
- 2026 forecast: Miyajima2026 forecastPeak from ~18 Nov 2026
Last year the peak began 21 Nov. JWA expects most of Japan to be on time or a little later than usual this year.
Source: Japan Weather Association (tenki.jp), forecast 14 Oct 2026
- Cherry blossom 2026 (what actually happened)2026 actualFirst blooms 19 Mar 2026, full bloom 30 Mar 2026
Observed by JMA at the city's official sample tree. The 2027 forecast isn't out yet: Japanese weather companies such as the Japan Weather Association usually publish the first one in January, and we add it then.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
- Cherry blossomTypical datesFirst blooms ~25 Mar, full bloom ~3 Apr
Typical dates (1991–2020 normal). In 2021–2026 first blooms came between 11 Mar and 26 Mar (19 Mar in 2026). Blossoms last about a week after full bloom.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
- Autumn leaves: Miyajima, Momijidani ParkTypical datesUsually mid-Nov to late-Nov
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
Explore HiroshimaEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyA Japanese city rebuilt after the 1945 atomic bombing, now a centre for peace remembrance and gateway to the island of Miyajima.
Autumn Foliage SeasonAcross Japan
Koyo maple viewing, especially in Kyoto, Nikko and the Japanese Alps.
Christmas & New Year IlluminationsAcross Japan
City light displays and year-end temple bell-ringing.
Coming up later
Cherry blossom seasonDate variesUsually late March to early April
Cherry trees bloom across the city and island.
Why go: Exact timing varies; check bloom forecasts.
Where: Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Castle and Miyajima
Hiroshima Flower FestivalEvery year3 to 5 May every year
A large festival with parades, stages and flower displays during Golden Week.
Why go: It falls during Golden Week, so book accommodation early.
Where: Peace Boulevard
Peace Memorial CeremonyEvery year6 August every year
A morning ceremony marking the anniversary of the atomic bombing, with a moment of silence at 8:15.
Why go: The park is crowded and solemn; dress and behave respectfully.
Where: Peace Memorial Park
Peace Memorial Park and Museum
A park and museum documenting the atomic bombing and its human impact.
💡 Allow at least two hours for the museum; arrive early to avoid queues.
Atomic Bomb Dome
The ruined shell of a building left standing near the hypocentre, preserved as a UNESCO memorial.
Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima
A shrine whose large torii gate appears to float at high tide.
💡 Check tide times: you can walk to the gate at low tide.
Mount Misen
The sacred peak of Miyajima, reached by ropeway or hiking trails, with views over the Seto Inland Sea.
Shukkeien Garden
A traditional landscape garden with a central pond and miniature scenery.
Hiroshima Castle
A reconstructed castle keep with a museum, in the city centre.
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki
A layered savoury pancake with cabbage, noodles, pork and egg, cooked on a griddle.
💡 Okonomimura building and counter restaurants
Oysters
Hiroshima is Japan's leading oyster producer, especially in the cooler months.
Anago-meshi
Grilled conger eel over rice, a Miyajima speciality.
Momiji manju
Maple leaf-shaped cakes with sweet filling.
💡 Miyajima shopping street
Kumano brushes (fude)
High-quality make-up and calligraphy brushes from the town of Kumano.
Miyajima shamoji
Wooden rice paddles, said to have originated on Miyajima.
Momiji manju
Boxed maple-leaf cakes, the classic local gift.