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🇯🇵 Japan · Winter (Dec–Feb)

What to wear in Japan in December

By PackTheLook · Updated 28 October 2026

Highs12°C (54°F)
Lows4°C (39°F)
Rainy days~6
Daylight9.5 h
CrowdsModerate

December averages for Tokyo (Kitanomaru Park). Source

December is cool, dry and sunny, with winter illuminations lighting up Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe after dark. Christmas is a couples' holiday and New Year preparations make the last week busy. Layer for 4–12°C, plus a warm scarf for evening light displays.

☀️ By day

Warm coat, knit and scarf — dry, sunny days around 12°C.

🌙 Evening

Thermal layer and gloves for winter illuminations and New Year bells.

What's on in December

Typical dates. Many festivals follow lunar calendars, so check this year's dates before you book.

Winter illuminations

From November through December and beyond

Roppongi, Marunouchi, Omotesando and many theme parks are lit with millions of lights. You'll be walking outdoors at night around 4°C — warm scarf, gloves and comfortable boots.

December packing essentials

Your December outfit list

Also pack

Showing more covered picks for travellers from India.

Dress code

  • Cover shoulders and knees at temples and shrines; a light cardigan solves it in summer.
  • Shoes come off in temples, ryokan, some restaurants and fitting rooms — slip-ons and clean, hole-free socks save time.
  • Very revealing or low-cut tops stand out more than short hemlines; locals dress modestly up top.

Full dress code, activities and common mistakes →

Good weather elsewhere in December

All destinations →