When to go · Gokayama
Gokayama in December
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Mar: some buses stop, heavy snow; check winter bus schedules.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) / −1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 17
- Crowds
- Medium
- Japan overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Japan overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Mar: some buses stop, heavy snow; check winter bus schedules.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- JanuaryGreatInside Gokayama's best window: Apr–Nov (check); Jan–Feb for snow scenery (check).
- FebruaryGreatInside Gokayama's best window: Apr–Nov (check); Jan–Feb for snow scenery (check).
- AprilGreatInside Gokayama's best window: Apr–Nov (check); Jan–Feb for snow scenery (check).
- MayGreatInside Gokayama's best window: Apr–Nov (check); Jan–Feb for snow scenery (check).
Weather in December
- GokayamaHighs around 7 °C (45 °F), lows around -1 °C (30 °F), rain on about 17 daysHighs around 45 °F (7 °C), lows around 30 °F (-1 °C), rain on about 17 days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
New Year (Shōgatsu) big impact
29 Dec – 3 Jan · Japan
Shops, museums and many restaurants close; shrines packed on 1–3 Jan; trains full on 29–30 Dec and 2–3 Jan.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Japan overall
- Medium
- Prices · Japan overall
- Medium
Japan overall: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Gokayama, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 7 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7 °C)
Jan: 4 °C (39 °F)39 °F (4 °C)
Night low
Dec: -1 °C (30 °F)30 °F (-1 °C)
Jan: -3 °C (27 °F)27 °F (-3 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 17 (better)
Jan: 18
Crowds
Dec: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
Dec: Medium
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Jan: 1
December: Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Mar: some buses stop, heavy snow; check winter bus schedules.
January: Inside Gokayama's best window: Apr–Nov (check); Jan–Feb for snow scenery (check).
Gokayama: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast