Osaka Weather in December: Temperatures & What to Wear

Based on observations from the last ten years (2016-2025), Osaka in December has an average high of 12.7℃ and an average low of 5.4℃. The average high drops from 14.4℃ in early December to 11.4℃ in late December. In Kyoto the average low is 1.6℃ lower than in Osaka.

If you're planning a December trip to Osaka, Kyoto or Kobe, pack a warm outer layer for the cold mornings and evenings.

Osaka weather in December at a glance

Days are fairly mild, but mornings and evenings are chilly. For sightseeing, bring an outer layer that's easy to take off and put on.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, Osaka station (47772), December observations 2016-2025 · Sunset times are National Astronomical Observatory of Japan calculations for 2026.

Over the last ten years, late December was the wettest period, averaging 21.7mm, and early December the driest at 10.4mm. It varies a lot by year: 2024 had just 6.0mm, while 2016 recorded 104.0mm.

When the winter pressure pattern sets in, the Sea of Japan side of the Kinki region gets many days of snow or rain, but the Pacific side, where Osaka is, tends to be clear. The surrounding mountains block the seasonal winds, so winter rainfall is fairly low.

Osaka weather and temperatures in early, mid and late December

Osaka's average high in December drops 3.0℃, from 14.4℃ in early December to 11.4℃ at the end of the month. The average low also falls, from 6.8℃ to 4.3℃. All figures are averages of observations from the last ten years (2016-2025).

✅ Osaka temperatures in early, mid and late December

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, Osaka station (47772), averages of the early, mid and late December observations 2016-2025

✅ Osaka rainfall and rain days in early, mid and late December

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, Osaka station (47772), averages of the early, mid and late December observations 2016-2025. Rain days are days with 1.0mm or more of rain.

✅ Early December (1-10)

The mildest part of December. Temperatures vary by year, though: the average high in early December was 11.8℃ in 2017 but 15.7℃ in 2018. Even when days are fairly mild, mornings and evenings can be chilly.

✅ Mid-December (11-20)

It gets cooler than early December, with chilly mornings and evenings. Mid-December 2017 had an average high of 9.7℃ and an average low of 2.7℃. By contrast, mid-December 2023 was fairly warm, with an average high of 14.9℃.

✅ Late December (21-31)

The coldest part of December, and also the wettest of the three periods. The average high varied by year from 10.4℃ in 2022 to 12.7℃ in 2016.

The average low stays above zero, but some days do drop below freezing. On December 23, 2023, a low of −0.2℃ was recorded.

If you're arriving in Osaka at the end of November, check the November weather and temperatures too.

👉 Osaka Weather in November: Temperatures & What to Wear

What to wear in Osaka in December

For Osaka in December, the basic outfit is a knit with a coat or light down jacket on top. Bring a coat for early December and a coat or light down jacket for mid-December, and for the colder end of the month, a down jacket and a scarf.

Because of the difference between daytime and morning or evening temperatures, layers that are easy to take off and put on are the most comfortable as you go in and out. On windy days, or if you'll be sightseeing outdoors into the night, bring a scarf.

Even in late December you don't strictly need a thick long down coat, but if you feel the cold easily or will be outdoors for a long time, a warmer down jacket is a good idea. Check the latest Japan Meteorological Agency forecast before you leave.

➡️ See the Japan Meteorological Agency forecast for Osaka

If you plan to buy a down jacket for your winter trip in Japan, take a look at the mont-bell store information too.

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Kyoto and Kobe weather in December: compared with Osaka

In December, the average highs in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe are similar at 12-13℃, but the average lows differ: Kyoto 3.8℃, Osaka 5.4℃ and Kobe 5.9℃.

If you're taking a day trip from Osaka to Kyoto or Kobe, check the morning and evening temperatures and the wind as well.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, Osaka (47772), Kyoto (47759) and Kobe (47770) stations, averages of December observations 2016-2025

✅ Kyoto weather in December

Kyoto has the lowest average low of the three cities. The gap between its average high and low is also the widest, at 8.2℃. In late December especially, the average low is 1.5℃ below Osaka's, so if you start sightseeing early in the morning, bring a warm outer layer.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, Kyoto station (47759), averages of the early, mid and late December observations 2016-2025

In Kyoto, some December days drop below freezing. In December 2020, a maximum snow depth of 1cm was recorded. Even without snow, mornings and evenings can get cold, so bring a scarf or gloves.

How to get from Namba to Kyoto is in the post below.

👉 Namba to Kyoto: Fares, Times & Which Line to Take

✅ Kobe weather in December

Kobe has the highest average low of the three cities, and the smallest gap between its average high and low, at 6.6℃. Over the last ten years, its average December rainfall was 35.6mm, less than Osaka's or Kyoto's.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, Kobe station (47770), averages of the early, mid and late December observations 2016-2025

Kobe is windier than Osaka, though. Over the last ten years, average wind speeds for early, mid and late December were 3.4-3.9m/s in Kobe and 2.0-2.3m/s in Osaka. If you'll be walking around the port for a long time, at Meriken Park or Harborland for example, bring a windproof outer layer.

How to get from Umeda or Namba to Kobe Sannomiya is in the post below.

👉 Osaka to Kobe Sannomiya: JR, Hankyu & Hanshin Fares, Times

Osaka sunset times in December and year-end tips

In 2026, the sun sets in Osaka around 4:50 p.m. in December. From December 1 to 10 it sets earliest, at 16:47, then gets gradually later, setting at 16:57 on the 31st.

Source: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, 2026 sunset calculations, based on the moment the upper edge of the sun touches the horizon at 0m elevation

The shortest day is the winter solstice on December 22, but the sun sets earliest in early December. Sunrise in Osaka also gets later, from 6:46 on December 1 to 7:05 on the 31st. On the solstice, there are about 9 hours 50 minutes of daylight.

📌 See outdoor sights like Osaka Castle and parks by around 4 p.m., then move on to an observation deck or indoor sights after dark.

✅ Year-end and New Year closures

Japanese government offices close for the year-end holidays from December 29 to January 3. Closures at sights and shops vary by place. Osaka Castle Main Tower is closed from December 28 to January 1. If you're visiting around the year-end, check when the sights and shops are open in advance.

Osaka Castle admission and how to get there are in the post below.

👉 Osaka Castle Tickets & Access: Boat Rides, Road Train

If your trip includes Tokyo, check Tokyo's December temperatures and what to wear too.

👉 Tokyo Weather in December: Temperatures & What to Wear

FAQ: Down jackets, snow and umbrellas in Osaka in December

Q. Do I need a down jacket for Osaka in December?

A. A knit with a coat or light down jacket works well. You don't strictly need a thick long down coat, but if you'll be outdoors in late December or into the night, bring a warmer down jacket and a scarf.

Q. Does it snow in Osaka in December?

A. Snow rarely settles in Osaka in December. The JMA's normal date for the first snow is December 26, and even when it snows it may not settle. In Kyoto, by contrast, maximum snow depths of 1cm in December 2020 and 2cm in December 2021 were recorded.

Q. Should I pack an umbrella for Osaka in December?

A. Bring one light folding umbrella. Over the last ten years (2016-2025), there were on average 4.9 days in December with 1mm or more of rain. It isn't a rainy season, but check the latest forecast before you leave.

Osaka has plenty of clear days even in December. The sun sets before 5 p.m., so see Osaka Castle and the city sights during the day, and enjoy the night view from an observation deck or Ferris wheel in the evening.

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