6 Best Places to Visit in Japan This December
5 min read · by the Triplanex team
If you are looking for 6 places to visit in Japan in December, this guide highlights the absolute best winter destinations for groups wanting heavy snow, natural hot springs, and brilliant city lights. You will get a concrete plan covering exactly where to go, how many days you need, and how to get around in the cold.
Top 6 places to visit in Japan in December: The cities
Choosing where to go during winter can be overwhelming, so we have narrowed down the absolute best 6 places to visit in Japan in December. Tokyo is the ultimate starting point. The city transforms into a massive winter light show, with millions of LEDs draped across the trees in Roppongi Hills, Omotesando, and Shibuya. Because the winter air is crisp and dry, December offers some of the clearest skies of the year. This makes it the perfect time to visit observation decks like Shibuya Sky for an unobstructed view of Mount Fuji in the distance.
Kyoto is the second essential stop on your list. The city is famously packed during the spring cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons, but December offers a quiet, peaceful alternative. The massive tour bus crowds thin out significantly, giving you room to actually breathe while walking through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove or the thousands of Torii gates at Fushimi Inari. Bundle up heavily, as you must take your shoes off to enter many traditional temple halls, and the wooden floors are freezing.
Shirakawa-go and Sapporo: The snowy escapes
When people picture a magical winter vacation, they are usually thinking of Shirakawa-go. This UNESCO World Heritage village in the Japanese Alps is famous for its traditional thatched-roof houses, which are specifically designed to withstand massive dumps of snow. In December, the village turns into a real-life snow globe. You can walk the paths between the historic houses, many of which operate as small museums or heated cafes. The view from the Shiroyama Viewpoint overlooking the snow-covered valley is one of the most famous photos you can take in the country.
If your group wants guaranteed deep powder snow, you must fly north to Sapporo in Hokkaido. While the massive snow festival does not happen until February, December provides an early start to the winter magic with the beautiful White Illumination in Odori Park. Hokkaido is also the undisputed food capital of Japan for winter seafood. Spend your evenings in the bustling Susukino district eating fresh crab, sea urchin, and the famous Sapporo miso ramen, which is loaded with butter to keep you warm.
Hakone and Nagano: Hot springs and skiing
No winter trip to Japan is complete without soaking in an onsen, which is a natural hot spring. Hakone is a mountainous hot spring town located just an hour from Tokyo, making it a very easy overnight trip. December is the perfect time to book a traditional ryokan (inn) here. Sitting in a steaming outdoor rock pool while the freezing winter air hits your face is an unforgettable experience. The clear winter skies also give you brilliant views of Mount Fuji as you ride the Hakone Ropeway over the Owakudani volcanic valley.
Nagano hosted the Winter Olympics for a reason, and it is incredibly easy to reach via a direct bullet train from Tokyo. The biggest draw for first-timers in December is the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Here, wild Japanese macaques descend from the freezing forests to bathe and warm up in the natural hot springs. Nagano is also surrounded by incredible ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen, making it easy to spend a day on the slopes before retreating to a local izakaya for hot sake and fresh soba noodles.
How many days do you need for Japan in winter?
To comfortably visit all 6 places to visit in Japan in December, you need at least 10 to 14 days. Traveling in winter requires a slightly slower pace than a summer trip. Daylight hours are much shorter, with the sun setting around 4:30 PM, and navigating busy train stations with heavy coats and large luggage takes longer than usual.
If you only have seven days, you should stick to the classic route between Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto. Trying to add Shirakawa-go or Sapporo to a one-week trip will result in spending your entire vacation exhausted on buses and domestic flights. Factoring in the long international flight and intense jet lag, a full two-week trip gives you the breathing room to actually enjoy the cold weather. It allows you to take slow mornings, enjoy long hot baths, and not stress if a sudden snowstorm delays a rural bus schedule.
Where to stay and what to book ahead
Your accommodation needs change drastically when the temperatures drop. In cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, you should stay as close to the major train stations as possible, like Shinjuku or Kyoto Station. This ensures you do not have to drag suitcases through freezing rain or snow for twenty minutes to reach your hotel.
For at least one night of your trip, you must book a traditional ryokan with a private hot spring in Hakone or Nagano. These stays include a massive traditional multi-course dinner known as kaiseki. Check before you go to ensure the ryokan accepts groups and can accommodate any dietary restrictions for these included meals.
December is incredibly busy with both international tourists and domestic travelers celebrating the end of the year. You need to book your hotels, ryokans, and domestic flights months in advance. Many restaurants, museums, and gardens close entirely from December 29th through January 3rd for the New Year holidays, so secure your dining reservations early if you are staying through the end of the month.
Getting around and what to pack
The Shinkansen (bullet train) is incredibly reliable and rarely delayed by winter weather, making it the fastest way to travel between Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nagano. You can buy individual tickets at the station, but if you plan to travel long distances frequently, check if a regional rail pass saves you money.
For rural snowy areas like Shirakawa-go, you will need to take a highway bus from the nearby cities of Takayama or Kanazawa. Book these bus tickets well in advance, as they sell out quickly in December. Avoid renting a car unless you are highly experienced at driving in deep snow and on icy mountain roads. The local public transport is perfectly safe, heated, and equipped for the winter.
When packing, layering is your best strategy. Japanese trains and department stores blast their indoor heating, so you will be sweating if you are stuck wearing a massive parka. Dress in layers so you can easily strip off a heavy coat and scarf the moment you step indoors. Bring shoes with excellent grip for the icy sidewalks in Sapporo and Nagano.
Plan it with your group
Organizing a winter getaway with friends is much easier when everyone is on the same page. You can plan this trip for free in Triplanex, where your whole group can build the itinerary together and map out the train stations. When it is time to travel, you can vote on the best ryokan and track every shared expense in any currency, ensuring no one is left out of pocket.
Frequently asked questions
Is Japan too cold to visit in December?
It is cold, but very manageable. Tokyo and Kyoto usually hover around 5 to 10 degrees Celsius (41-50 Fahrenheit) during the day, while northern areas like Sapporo will be well below freezing and snowy.
Does it snow in Tokyo in December?
Snow in Tokyo in December is extremely rare. You will mostly experience crisp, clear, and sunny days, which are actually perfect for getting a clear view of Mount Fuji from the city.
Are things open in Japan during December?
Everything operates normally for most of the month. However, many museums, gardens, and smaller restaurants close from December 29th through January 3rd for the New Year holidays, so check opening hours if traveling late in the month.
What do you wear to an onsen?
You must bathe completely naked in a traditional Japanese hot spring, and swimsuits are strictly banned. Before entering the water, you must sit on a stool and wash your body thoroughly with soap and water.