Japan
Kyoto in December
❄️ WinterCool and some showers.
🎒 Pack: warm jacket for evenings
Why December scores 8.5What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort7.6
- !Cool (12°C highs / 4°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 2.9°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~57 mm rain)
- Air quality9.2
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~10 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.5 Excellent | 9.0 Excellent |
| Season | ❄️ Winter | 🌿 Late spring |
| High / low | 12° / 4° | 25° / 15° |
| Rain | 57 mm | 151 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 3° | dew pt 14° |
| PM2.5 | 10 µg/m³ | 14 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Kyoto weather-station normals. Rainfall: Kyoto 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 Kyoto
- Autumn leaves: ArashiyamaIn DecemberTypical datesUsually mid-Nov to early-Dec
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
- Autumn leaves: Kiyomizu-deraIn DecemberTypical datesUsually late-Nov to early-Dec
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
- 2026 forecast: Arashiyama2026 forecastPeak from ~13 Nov 2026
Last year the peak began 13 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 23 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 ~26 Mar, full bloom ~4 Apr
Typical dates (1991–2020 normal). In 2021–2026 first blooms came between 16 Mar and 29 Mar (23 Mar in 2026). Blossoms last about a week after full bloom.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
- Autumn leaves: EikandoTypical datesUsually mid-Nov to late-Nov
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
Explore KyotoEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Japan's imperial capital for over a thousand years: 1,600 temples, wooden machiya streets, geiko districts and a distinct, refined food culture.
Autumn leaves (koyo)Date variesUsually mid-November to early December
Maples turn red across temple gardens; many temples hold night illuminations.
Why go: Kyoto's busiest season — book rooms months ahead and visit major temples at opening.
Where: Tofuku-ji, Eikan-do, Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama
Coming up later
SetsubunEvery year2–3 February (3 Feb in most years)
Bean-throwing to drive out demons at the start of spring; maiko dance at some shrines.
Why go: Lively and local in the quiet winter season.
Where: Yoshida Shrine, Yasaka Shrine, Mibu-dera
Cherry blossom (hanami)Date variesUsually late March to early April
Peak bloom lasts about a week; the JMA publishes forecasts from February.
Why go: Spectacular but peak crowds and hotel prices.
Where: Philosopher's Path, Maruyama Park, Heian Shrine, Kamogawa
Aoi MatsuriEvery year15 May every year
Imperial-court procession in Heian-period dress decorated with hollyhock leaves.
Why go: Elegant and slower-paced than Gion Matsuri.
Where: Imperial Palace → Shimogamo Shrine → Kamigamo Shrine
Fushimi Inari Taishagreat in Dec
Thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up Mount Inari.
💡 Before 8 am or after dusk is quiet; the upper loop thins out crowds.
Kiyomizu-dera
Hillside temple with a wooden stage over the valley.
💡 Walk up via Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka; spring and autumn night illuminations are spectacular.
Arashiyama
Bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji's garden, Togetsukyo Bridge and Hozu River.
💡 Bamboo grove at 7 am; continue to the quieter Okochi Sanso villa garden.
Kinkaku-ji
The gold-leaf Golden Pavilion reflected in its pond.
💡 Small site — 45 minutes is enough; pair with Ryoan-ji's rock garden nearby.
Gion & Hanamikoji
Teahouse district where geiko and maiko work.
💡 Photographing maiko on private lanes is banned; stick to public streets.
Philosopher's Path & Ginkaku-ji
Canal-side walk lined with cherry trees, ending at the Silver Pavilion.
💡 Best in early April and late November.
Tofuku-ji
Zen temple famous for its sea of maple leaves seen from Tsutenkyo bridge.
💡 Peak foliage is usually mid/late November; go at opening.
Nishiki Market
'Kyoto's kitchen' — a narrow arcade of pickles, tofu, sweets and knives.
💡 Eating while walking is discouraged; eat at the stall.
Yudofu
Simmered tofu, a Buddhist-temple dish made with soft Kyoto water.
💡 Around Nanzen-ji and Arashiyama
Kyo-kaiseki
Multi-course seasonal meal rooted in the tea ceremony.
💡 Gion and Pontocho ryotei (book ahead)
Obanzai
Kyoto home-style small dishes of seasonal vegetables.
💡 Counter restaurants near Nishiki and Pontocho
Nishin soba
Buckwheat noodles topped with sweet-simmered herring — a Kyoto specialty.
💡 Shijo-Ohashi area soba shops
Saba-zushi
Pressed mackerel sushi from the old 'Mackerel Road' to the Sea of Japan.
💡 Department-store food halls
Uji matcha sweets
Matcha parfaits, warabi-mochi and soft-serve made with tea from nearby Uji.
💡 Gion, Uji town
Yatsuhashi
Cinnamon rice-flour sweets; soft 'nama' version with bean filling.
💡 Shops near Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto Station
Uji matcha & sencha
High-grade green tea from Kyoto's own tea region.
💡 Tea merchants in Uji and Shijo
Kyo-sensu folding fans
Hand-made fans, a Kyoto craft for over 1,000 years.
💡 Specialist shops on Shijo and Sanjo
Kiyomizu-yaki ceramics
Kyoto's own pottery style.
💡 Gojozaka 'teapot lane'
Kyo-tsukemono pickles
Shibazuke (purple shiso) and senmaizuke (turnip) pickles.
💡 Nishiki Market (vacuum-packed)
Yojiya oil-blotting paper
Kyoto cosmetics brand famous for its blotting paper.
💡 Yojiya shops in Gion and Sanjo