When to go · Nikko
Nikko in December
Good month. Outside the best window (May–Jun, mid-Oct). Across Japan: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) / −3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 5
- Crowds
- Medium
- Japan overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Japan overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (May–Jun, mid-Oct). 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
- NikkoHighs around 7 °C (45 °F), lows around -3 °C (27 °F), rain on about 5 daysHighs around 45 °F (7 °C), lows around 27 °F (-3 °C), rain on about 5 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 Nikko, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Good
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 7 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7 °C)
May: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Night low
Dec: -3 °C (27 °F)27 °F (-3 °C)
May: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 5 (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, mid-Oct). Across Japan: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.
May: Inside Nikko's best window: May–Jun, mid-Oct.
Nikko: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings