Japan, Asia

Kyoto in December

Early December often still carries late maple color with a fraction of November's crowds. The year winds down; many businesses close December 29 onward.

GoodCold, highs near 53F (12C)

Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, reflected in its pond, Kyoto — KyotoPhoto: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Kyoto. Early December often still carries late maple color with a fraction of November's crowds. The year winds down; many businesses close December 29 onward.

Weather: Cold, highs near 53F (12C)
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What December is like in Kyoto

December is cold, with highs near 53F (12C). Early in the month, late maple color often lingers with a fraction of November's crowds. Prices drop and temples are calm. The year winds down, and many businesses close from December 29 onward for the New Year holiday. Short days mean early sunsets, so start sightseeing early.

It suits travelers who want late fall color with fewer people, and budget travelers. Plan to leave by December 28 or be ready for closures. If you want snow and total quiet, January after the 3rd is even calmer.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Kyoto this month.

Late maple color

Early December often still shows red leaves at Tofuku-ji, Eikan-do, and Arashiyama, with far fewer visitors.

Post-rush temple mornings

Once the fall rush ends, the big sights feel peaceful and easy to enjoy.

Cozy ryokan nights

Cold evenings are made for a hot bath and a long dinner at a traditional inn.

What to pack for December

A warm coat, hat, and gloves
Warm socks for cold temple floors
Shoes that slip off easily
Heat packs for early mornings

Our timing tip

Visit in the first ten days of December for leftover maple color, and check closures if you stay past December 28.

Book Kyoto for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Kyoto
Opens a hotel search for Kyoto in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
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Vacation rentals in Kyoto
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Kyoto
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Kyoto for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Autumn leaf season

Mid November into early December

The maples peak later than most first-timers expect. Tofuku-ji, Eikan-do, and Arashiyama lead; several temples run nighttime illuminations.

Things to do in Kyoto

Full guide

Fushimi Inari Taisha

The thousand-gate mountain shrine, open 24 hours. Go at dawn or after dinner; by mid morning the lower gates are a slow-moving line.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Gleaming above its pond and busy all day. Arrive at opening or in the last hour for the calmest light.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Arashiyama bamboo grove and river

The bamboo path is short and mobbed by 9am. Come very early, then give the rest of the day to the riverside, monkey park, and Okochi Sanso garden.

Tickets and tours →

Kiyomizu-dera and the Higashiyama lanes

The hillside temple's veranda view is the classic Kyoto panorama. The preserved streets below (Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka) are best before the shops open.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Gion at dusk

Lantern-lit Hanamikoji street and the Shirakawa canal. Be respectful: photographing geiko and maiko on private lanes is restricted.

Tickets and tours →

Nishiki Market

Five blocks of food stalls, pickles, knives, and skewers. Go hungry, midmorning, before the afternoon crush.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Kyoto rewards early risers more than any city in Asia: Fushimi Inari at 6:30am and the bamboo grove at 7am are transcendent, and both are shoulder to shoulder by 10.
In blossom and maple season, hit the famous gardens at opening, then spend afternoons at second-tier temples (Shoren-in, Honen-in, Daitoku-ji's subtemples) that see a fraction of the traffic.
Stay overnight rather than day-tripping from Osaka: the magic hours are before the day-trip waves arrive and after they leave.
Skip the buses at peak season; they jam solid. The subway, JR lines, and a bike cover most of the city faster.

Know before you go

December 29 through January 3: many restaurants and shops close for the New Year holiday while shrines see their heaviest crowds of the year.
Golden Week (late April to early May) and the mid-November maple peak are Kyoto's two sold-out windows: nothing closes, everything fills. Book transport and rooms far ahead or shift your dates.
Some temples close irregularly for private ceremonies, and several famous gardens admit visitors only in short spring and fall windows. Check specific temples before anchoring a day to them.
Obon in mid August brings closures at some family-run restaurants and shops while the big sights run normally.

Kyoto in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Kyoto?

December is a good month to visit Kyoto. Early December often still carries late maple color with a fraction of November's crowds. The year winds down; many businesses close December 29 onward.

What is the weather like in Kyoto in December?

Cold, highs near 53F (12C).

Is Kyoto crowded in December?

December is one of the quieter months in Kyoto; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Kyoto in December?

Autumn leaf season (mid november into early december).