Early winter · Weather & things to do
Osaka in December
Osaka cools off: highs slip to 51°F (11°C), from 62°F in November, with lows of 37°F (3°C) and about 3.0 in (76 mm) of rain.
It scores 62/100 for comfort, 6th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 51°F (11°C)
- Avg low
- 37°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 3.0 in (76 mm)
- Humidity
- 84%
- Cloud cover
- 65%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 41 min
- Comfort score
- 62/100 · Good
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 51°F (11°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights cool to an average low of 37°F (3°C).
Some rain is likely, about 3.0 in (76 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around December
December is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (April and November).
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 41 min of daylight.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 6°C (11°F) from November.
- Comfort slips from 79/100 in November to 62/100.
- Our Japan Golden Route recommends Mar – May, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 51°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Osaka in December
December is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Hozenji Yokocho
Stone-paved alley with a moss-covered Fudo Myoo statue that visitors splash with water.
Why now December scores 62/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Huge aquarium built around a central Pacific tank with whale sharks.
Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai
Original 1929 shop for deep-fried skewers; no double-dipping in the shared sauce.
Mizuno
Family-run okonomiyaki shop on Dotonbori since 1945, with a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
Japan's first malt whisky distillery, 40 minutes away by train in Shimamoto.
Nearby in December
- Kyoto in December~27 mi · highs 49°F, 4.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Tokyo in December~244 mi · highs 52°F, 2.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~264 m to Osaka's ~23 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.
Osaka in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Osaka?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 62/100 against a best of 79 in April and November. Expect highs of 51°F (11°C) and 3.0 in (76 mm) of rain. Our Japan Golden Route recommends Mar – May, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Osaka in December?
Average highs are 51°F (11°C) and average lows 37°F (3°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Osaka in December?
Some: about 3.0 in (76 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 69.0 in (1753 mm).
What should I pack for Osaka in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 51°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Osaka in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.