SeasonScore
Osaka, Japan
Photo: Kaiza96 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Japan

Osaka in December

❄️ Winter

Cool and some showers.

🎒 Pack: warm jacket for evenings

Best months: May (9.0), Apr (8.9), Nov (8.9)

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Why December scores 8.5What goes into the score

How it works
🌡️ 12° / 5°C🌧️ 56 mm💧 dew pt 3°🍃 PM2.5 18
  • Weather comfort8.0
    • !Cool (12°C highs / 5°C lows)
    • ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 3.1°C)
    • ✓Mostly dry (~56 mm rain)
  • Air quality8.0
    • ✓Moderate (PM2.5 ~18 µg/m³)
  • Seasonal hazards10.0
    • ·No notable seasonal hazards
  • Safety baseline9.0
    • ·Normal precautions
Compare monthsPut December side by side with another month
DecMay
Score8.5 Excellent9.0 Excellent
Season❄️ Winter🌿 Late spring
High / low12° / 5°25° / 16°
Rain56 mm137 mm
Humiditydew pt 3°dew pt 14°
PM2.518 µg/m³19 µg/m³

Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Osaka weather-station normals. Rainfall: Osaka weather-station normals (national met service).

Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026

Holiday week

A 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 Osaka

  • Autumn leaves: Osaka Castle ParkIn DecemberTypical dates
    Usually mid-Nov to early-Dec

    Usual peak viewing window for this spot.

    Source: Japan Weather Association (tenki.jp)

  • Autumn leaves: Minoo Park (day trip)In DecemberTypical dates
    Usually mid-Nov to early-Dec

    Usual peak viewing window for this spot.

    Source: Japan Weather Association (tenki.jp)

  • Cherry blossom 2026 (what actually happened)2026 actual
    First blooms 26 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 dates
    First blooms ~27 Mar, full bloom ~4 Apr

    Typical dates (1991–2020 normal). In 2021–2026 first blooms came between 19 Mar and 30 Mar (26 Mar in 2026). Blossoms last about a week after full bloom.

    Source: Japan Meteorological Agency

Explore OsakaEvents, sights, food & souvenirs

Check event dates locally

Japan's third-largest city and a historic merchant hub, known for street food, neon-lit Dōtonbori, Osaka Castle and as a base for Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.

Events in December
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

Tōka EbisuEvery year9–11 January every year

A festival for the god of business, with crowds buying lucky bamboo branches.

Why go: Around a million visitors attend over three days.

Where: Imamiya Ebisu Shrine

Grand Sumo Spring TournamentDate variesUsually March, 15 days

One of the six annual professional sumo tournaments.

Why go: Tickets sell out quickly for weekend days.

Where: Edion Arena Osaka

Cherry blossom seasonDate variesUsually late March to early April

Peak bloom brings picnics in parks.

Why go: Bloom timing varies by about a week each year.

Where: Osaka Castle Park and the Japan Mint