Japan
Tokyo in December
❄️ WinterCool and some showers.
🎒 Pack: warm jacket for evenings
Why December scores 8.1What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort8.0
- !Cool (12°C highs / 4°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 2.2°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~58 mm rain)
- Air quality5.8
- !Elevated (PM2.5 ~33 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.1 Very good | 8.7 Excellent |
| Season | ❄️ Winter | 🌿 Late spring |
| High / low | 12° / 4° | 24° / 15° |
| Rain | 58 mm | 140 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 2° | dew pt 14° |
| PM2.5 | 33 µg/m³ | 24 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Tokyo Kitanomaru weather-station normals. Rainfall: Kitanomaru Park, Tokyo 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 Tokyo
- Autumn leaves: Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenueIn DecemberTypical datesUsually mid-Nov to early-Dec
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
- Autumn leaves: Rikugien gardenIn DecemberTypical datesUsually late-Nov to mid-Dec
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
- Autumn leaves: Mt Takao (day trip)In DecemberTypical datesUsually mid-Nov to early-Dec
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
- 2026 forecast: Mt Takao2026 forecastPeak from ~19 Nov 2026
Last year the peak began 11 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 28 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 ~24 Mar, full bloom ~31 Mar
Typical dates (1991–2020 normal). In 2021–2026 first blooms came between 14 Mar and 29 Mar (19 Mar in 2026). Blossoms last about a week after full bloom.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
Explore TokyoEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyJapan's capital and one of the world's largest cities, mixing historic temples, distinct neighbourhoods, renowned food and seasonal festivals.
Autumn leavesDate variesUsually mid-November to early December
Ginkgo and maple trees turn yellow and red.
Why go: A comfortable season for walking, with less crowding than spring.
Where: Icho Namiki (Jingu Gaien), Rikugien, Shinjuku Gyoen
Coming up later
New Year (Shōgatsu)Every year1–3 January every year
The first shrine visit of the year (hatsumōde).
Why go: Meiji Jingū draws enormous crowds; many businesses close for the first few days.
Where: Meiji Jingū, Sensō-ji and other shrines
Cherry blossom seasonDate variesUsually late March to early April
Peak bloom brings hanami picnics across the city.
Why go: Bloom dates shift each year, so check the forecast; hotels book up early.
Where: Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi, Meguro River
Sanja MatsuriDate variesUsually the third weekend of May
One of Tokyo's biggest festivals, with portable shrines carried through the streets.
Why go: Very crowded around Sensō-ji throughout the weekend.
Where: Asakusa Shrine and Asakusa streets
Sensō-ji
Tokyo's oldest temple in Asakusa, approached through the Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise shopping street.
💡 Visit early morning or after dark for fewer crowds.
Meiji Jingū
A Shinto shrine set in forest next to Harajuku, dedicated to Emperor Meiji.
Shibuya Crossing
The famous scramble crossing outside Shibuya Station, with viewing decks nearby.
Shinjuku Gyoen
A large national garden with Japanese, English and French sections.
💡 One of the city's main cherry blossom spots; alcohol is not allowed.
Tsukiji Outer Market
The retail market area around the former wholesale market, with seafood stalls and knife shops.
💡 Many stalls close by early afternoon.
Ueno Park
A park with several national museums, a zoo and hundreds of cherry trees.
Edomae sushi
Tokyo-style nigiri sushi using fish traditionally from Tokyo Bay.
💡 Sushi counters across the city, including Tsukiji Outer Market
Monjayaki
A runny pan-fried batter dish cooked at the table.
💡 Tsukishima's Monja Street
Ramen
Tokyo-style ramen typically has a soy-sauce chicken broth.
💡 Ramen shops everywhere
Tempura
Seafood and vegetables fried in light batter.
💡 Tempura counters, notably in Asakusa
Ningyo-yaki
Small cakes filled with red bean paste.
💡 Nakamise street in Asakusa and Ningyōchō
Tokyo Banana
A banana-cream sponge cake sold as a Tokyo souvenir.
💡 Tokyo Station and airports
Japanese kitchen knives
Handcrafted knives for professional and home cooks.
💡 Kappabashi Street and Tsukiji Outer Market
Furoshiki and tenugui
Traditional wrapping cloths and printed cotton towels.
💡 Craft shops in Asakusa
Stationery
Japanese pens, notebooks and washi paper products.
💡 Large stationery stores in Ginza and Shibuya