Early winter · Weather & things to do
Kyoto in December
Kyoto cools off: highs slip to 49°F (10°C), from 60°F in November, with lows of 36°F (2°C) and about 4.3 in (109 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 51/100, 8th of 12.
- Avg high
- 49°F (10°C)
- Avg low
- 36°F (2°C)
- Rain
- 4.3 in (109 mm)
- Humidity
- 85%
- Cloud cover
- 78%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 39 min
- Comfort score
- 51/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 49°F (10°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights cool to an average low of 36°F (2°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 4.3 in (109 mm).
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 78%.
Plan around December
December sits mid-table; the best months are April & May and October & November.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 39 min of daylight.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 6°C (11°F) from November.
- Comfort slips from 73/100 in November to 51/100.
- Our Japan Golden Route recommends Mar – May, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 49°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Kyoto in December
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Omen Ginkakuji
Long-running udon restaurant serving thick noodles with seasonal vegetables to add yourself.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 49°F.
Nishiki Market
Covered five-block food market for pickles, tamagoyaki, tofu and knives.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
Sake brewer's museum in Fushimi's old brewing district, with a tasting at the end.
Why now A cozy break on a 49°F day.
Kiyomizu-dera
Hillside temple with a wooden stage over the trees and views across the city.
Kinkaku-ji
Gold-leaf-covered pavilion reflected in a pond, Kyoto's most photographed temple.
Nearby in December
- Osaka in December~27 mi · highs 51°F, 3.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Tokyo in December~224 mi · highs 52°F, 2.7 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~251 m to Kyoto's ~51 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Kyoto in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Kyoto?
It's middling, scoring 51/100. The best months are April & May and October & November, at up to 78. Expect highs of 49°F (10°C) and 4.3 in (109 mm) of rain. Our Japan Golden Route recommends Mar – May, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Kyoto in December?
Average highs are 49°F (10°C) and average lows 36°F (2°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in December?
Some: about 4.3 in (109 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 65.2 in (1657 mm).
What should I pack for Kyoto in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 49°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Kyoto in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.