Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Japan cruises in December
Winter illuminations light up Tokyo’s Marunouchi and Roppongi districts, and Christmas is a couples’ holiday celebrated with cake and, famously, fried chicken. Weather is cold and dry with clear Fuji views. Sailings are few, favoring southern routes to Okinawa and Taiwan.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 53°F
- 10 hrs daylight
Photo: Alpsdake, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Japan in December: Shoulder season
Winter illuminations light up Tokyo’s Marunouchi and Roppongi districts, and Christmas is a couples’ holiday celebrated with cake and, famously, fried chicken. Weather is cold and dry with clear Fuji views. Sailings are few, favoring southern routes to Okinawa and Taiwan.
Across Japan cruise ports, December brings average highs around 53°F (12°C) and lows near 43°F, with about 3.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- Late March to May and September to November are peak; limited sailings in summer and winter
- Average high / low
- 53°F / 43°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.7 in
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 to 14 nights, usually round trip from Tokyo (Yokohama), Kobe or Osaka
What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes.
How December compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Best time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Best time to go
- Nov: Best time to go
- Dec: Shoulder season
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Japan weather in December
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 499 | 5010 | 5714 | 6518 | 7323 | 7825 | 8429 | 8630 | 8127 | 7222 | 6317 | 5312 |
| Low °F (°C) | 394 | 394 | 457 | 5211 | 6015 | 6719 | 7424 | 7725 | 7122 | 6116 | 5211 | 436 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.486 | 3.280 | 4.7119 | 5.6143 | 6.6167 | 10.3261 | 9.9252 | 9.0228 | 8.6219 | 5.8147 | 4.2106 | 3.793 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
December weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo (Yokohama) | 55°F | 37°F | 2.0 in | 10 h |
| Kobe | 54°F | 45°F | 2.3 in | 10 h |
| Osaka | 53°F | 38°F | 2.4 in | 10 h |
| Hiroshima | 52°F | 37°F | 2.8 in | 10 h |
| Nagasaki | 56°F | 49°F | 3.0 in | 10 h |
| Shimizu (for Mount Fuji) | 57°F | 48°F | 2.6 in | 10 h |
| Kagoshima | 59°F | 47°F | 3.4 in | 10 h |
| Hakodate | 37°F | 30°F | 4.3 in | 9 h |
| Otaru | 32°F | 22°F | 4.9 in | 9 h |
| Kanazawa | 48°F | 39°F | 9.0 in | 10 h |
| Aomori | 39°F | 33°F | 7.3 in | 9 h |
| Naha, Okinawa | 72°F | 68°F | 3.0 in | 11 h |
| Fukuoka (Hakata) | 54°F | 39°F | 2.5 in | 10 h |
| Busan | 53°F | 46°F | 1.5 in | 10 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in December
- Caribbean in December
- Eastern Caribbean in December
- Western Caribbean in December
- Southern Caribbean in December
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in December
- Panama Canal & Central America in December
- South America in December
- Galápagos Islands in December
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in December
- Antarctica in December
See every destination for December, with a port weather map →
Japan in December: FAQs
Is December a good time to cruise Japan?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. Winter illuminations light up Tokyo’s Marunouchi and Roppongi districts, and Christmas is a couples’ holiday celebrated with cake and, famously, fried chicken. Weather is cold and dry with clear Fuji views. Sailings are few, favoring southern routes to Okinawa and Taiwan.
What is the weather like on a Japan cruise in December?
Across Japan cruise ports, December brings average highs around 53°F (12°C) and lows near 43°F, with about 3.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Japan cruise in December?
Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Japan?
Late March to May and September to November are peak; limited sailings in summer and winter. The best months are usually March, April, May, October, November.
Where else can I cruise in December?
December is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera & Baja.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.