When to go · Karuizawa
Karuizawa in December
Good month. Outside the best window (May–Jun, Oct–Nov). Across Japan: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) / −5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 7
- Crowds
- Medium
- Japan overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Japan overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (May–Jun, Oct–Nov). Across Japan: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated good. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- KaruizawaHighs around 3 °C (37 °F), lows around -5 °C (23 °F), rain on about 7 daysHighs around 37 °F (3 °C), lows around 23 °F (-5 °C), rain on about 7 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 Karuizawa, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Good
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 3 °C (37 °F)37 °F (3 °C)
May: 17 °C (63 °F)63 °F (17 °C)
Night low
Dec: -5 °C (23 °F)23 °F (-5 °C)
May: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 7 (better)
May: 11
Crowds
Dec: Medium
May: Medium
Prices
Dec: Medium
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
May: 1
December: Outside the best window (May–Jun, Oct–Nov). Across Japan: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.
May: Inside Karuizawa's best window: May–Jun, Oct–Nov.
Karuizawa: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings