When to go · Niigata
Niigata 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
- 9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) / 2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 22
- 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
- NiigataHighs around 9 °C (48 °F), lows around 2 °C (36 °F), rain on about 22 daysHighs around 48 °F (9 °C), lows around 36 °F (2 °C), rain on about 22 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 Niigata, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Good
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
May: 21 °C (70 °F)70 °F (21 °C)
Night low
Dec: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
May: 12 °C (54 °F)54 °F (12 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 22
May: 11 (better)
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 Niigata's best window: May–Jun, Oct–Nov.
Niigata: 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