Japan
Nagasaki in December
❄️ WinterCool and some showers.
🎒 Pack: warm jacket for evenings
Why December scores 8.4What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort7.2
- !Cool (13°C highs / 6°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 4.8°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~75 mm rain)
- !Grey, overcast skies (~83% cloud cover on average)
- Air quality9.3
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~9 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | Oct | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.4 Very good | 9.1 Excellent |
| Season | ❄️ Winter | 🍁 Autumn (koyo) |
| High / low | 13° / 6° | 24° / 17° |
| Rain | 75 mm | 102 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 5° | dew pt 15° |
| PM2.5 | 9 µg/m³ | 9 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Nagasaki weather-station normals. Rainfall: Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki
- Autumn leavesIn DecemberTypical datesMaples turn red ~7 Dec
Typical date the JMA observatory's maple turns red (1991–2020 normal); city parks are usually close to this.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
- Cherry blossom 2026 (what actually happened)2026 actualFirst blooms 27 Mar 2026, full bloom 3 Apr 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 ~23 Mar, full bloom ~2 Apr
Typical dates (1991–2020 normal). In 2021–2026 first blooms came between 14 Mar and 27 Mar (27 Mar in 2026). Blossoms last about a week after full bloom.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
Explore NagasakiEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyNagasaki is a harbour city in Kyushu shaped by centuries of trade with China and Europe, and is visited for its peace memorials, churches and hillside views.
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
Nagasaki Lantern FestivalDate variesLunar calendar — about two weeks from Chinese New Year, late January to February; date moves each year
Thousands of Chinese lanterns light the city, with parades and dragon dances.
Why go: The city's biggest winter event; book early.
Where: Shinchi Chinatown, Minato Park and city centre
Peace Memorial CeremonyEvery year9 August every year
A ceremony marking the anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombing.
Why go: A silent prayer is observed at 11:02, the time of the explosion.
Where: Peace Park
Shōrō NagashiEvery year15 August every year
Families parade decorated spirit boats for the recently deceased, with loud firecrackers.
Why go: Very noisy; ear protection helps.
Where: Central streets
Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum
Memorials and a museum near the hypocentre of the 1945 atomic bombing.
Glover Garden
A hillside park of Western-style merchant houses overlooking the harbour.
Ōura Church
Japan's oldest surviving church building, part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing for hidden Christian sites.
Dejima
The reconstructed artificial island where the Dutch traded during Japan's period of isolation.
Gunkanjima (Hashima)
An abandoned coal-mining island reached by boat tours from the harbour.
💡 Landings are often cancelled when seas are rough.
Mount Inasa
A peak with a ropeway and a well-known night view over the city and harbour.
Champon
Noodles in a rich pork and chicken broth with seafood and vegetables.
💡 Shinchi Chinatown and restaurants across the city
Sara udon
Crispy fried noodles topped with a thick seafood and vegetable sauce.
💡 Shinchi Chinatown
Castella
A moist sponge cake introduced by Portuguese traders.
💡 Long-established cake shops in the city
Toruko rice (Turkish rice)
A Western-style plate of pilaf, spaghetti and a pork cutlet.
💡 Cafés and diners
Kakuni manjū
Braised pork belly in a soft steamed bun.
💡 Shinchi Chinatown
Castella
Boxed sponge cake, the city's classic gift.
💡 Cake shops and Nagasaki station
Karasumi
Salted, dried mullet roe, a delicacy.
💡 Specialist food shops
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
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