What is the weather like in Kyoto in December?

Expect temperatures between 2°C and 10°C with 15% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Kyoto in December?

Kyoto in December scores 63/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Worthwhile timing with some trade-offs.

Who should visit Kyoto in December?

December in Kyoto is ideal for: Photographers, Cultural tourists, Business travelers.

Kyoto Weather in December | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

10°C

Hottest around day 1

Avg Low

2°C

Coolest around day 31

Rainy Days

0days

15% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Winter season

Essential Travel Info for Kyoto

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

JPY

¥ Japanese yen

Language

Japanese

Driving

Left side

Connect

Free public Wi-Fi is available in many p...

Safety

Very High Safety

GPI: 1.336

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Kyoto

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Moderate

58/ 100

Traffic Index

Balanced traffic

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Aug

Low

Nov

Monthly Traffic Distribution

242

Jan

253

Feb

258

Mar

238

Apr

238

May

201

Jun

273

Jul

275

Aug

263

Sep

263

Oct

Nov

254

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Seoul Incheon (ICN)

Taipei Taiwan Taoyuan (TPE)

Shanghai Pudong (PVG)

Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok (HKG)

Naha (OKA)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

8 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Japan. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Japan.

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended for travelers whoAre moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to liveSpend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitisFrequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitisConsider vaccination for travelersSpending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed netsGoing to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be thereNot recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season.

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

Rabies

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in Japan.If rabies exposures occur while in Japan, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.

+2 more

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is December a Good Time to Visit Kyoto?

👌Worthwhile timing with some trade-offs(63/100)

Short Answer

Popular December in Kyoto offers 10°C and 15% rain chance - excellent conditions that attract maximum visitors. Book 3-6 months ahead for best rates.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Peak tourist season

92% of annual peak - expect crowds and peak prices

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, Tuberculosis (TB)

Exceptional dining scene

246 Michelin-listed restaurants

Good For

📸
Photographers
7.1h sunshine, 51% clear skies for golden hour shots
🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather

Who Should Avoid

💰
Budget travelers
Peak season means premium prices everywhere
👴
Elderly travelers
78% humidity creates difficult conditions

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Kyoto in December averages 10°C with 15% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Kyoto in December

What are the temperatures in Kyoto in December?

Daytime highs average 10°C, nights drop to 2°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Kyoto in December?

Expect around 0 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in Kyoto in December?

Warm winter clothing: insulated jacket, boots, gloves.

Is December peak season in Kyoto?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Kyoto Weather in December

Kyoto December Weather Calendar