Osaka Weather in December

Season: Winter
In short:
1. As Osaka enters winter in December, its temperature decreases gradually.
2. In December, the city gets the second-lowest precipitation in a year, and snow may fall.
3. Although the weather of Osaka is not so pleasant for making outdoor sightseeing for a long time, the foliage scenery, Christmas activities, and New Year celebrations this month attract many tourists.

Port of Osaka in December

Cold Winter Begins.

Port of Osaka

Osaka enters winter in December, when the temperature of the city sees a gradual decrease.

The daily high can still reach 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit) in early December, and the weather of Osaka is comfortably warm around noon on sunny days. After the first few days of this month, the daily high is in a decreasing trend generally, mainly from 15 to 6°C (59 to 43°F), making the weather cold. As time goes by, it becomes less and less suitable to stay outside for sightseeing for too long. For anyone who chooses to visit Osaka in December 2026, it’s vital to wear warm clothes and take a rest in indoor places like cafes after long-period outdoor visiting to have a relatively comfortable tour.

The daily low in December generally fluctuates between 10 and 3°C (50 and 37°F), and the weather of Osaka turns colder quickly after sunset. In consideration that many places in Osaka boast fabulous night views, people may choose to go out at night even with chilly weather, which makes it necessary to add clothes timely. Besides, in late December, the city may experience a large daily temperature difference of about 10°C (18°F). In light of these, it’s necessary for people to prevent catching a cold.

Precipitation is Very Low.

Snowscape in Osaka in December

In December, the rainfall of Osaka is quite low, about 69mm on average, and the city just experiences 4 days of precipitation averagely. The precipitation is mainly brought about by the northwest monsoon, and mainly happens in forms of light rain. However, the first snow may fall this month, which also tends to be light. So, both of them, rain and snow, just have a limited impact on your sightseeing here because of their low intensity. On the plus side, precipitation more or less leads people to reduce their outdoor activities, thus leading to quieter attractions. For example, on rainy days, the queuing time for going to facilities in Universal Studios Japan is much shorter.

Daytime of Osaka is the Shortest in December.

Daytime of Osaka in December is no longer than 10 hours in general, and in mid-to-late this month, Osaka experiences its shortest daytime throughout the year, for about 9 hours and 50 minutes. As mentioned above, Osaka at night is also well worth visiting, so you don’t need to worry that you will have limited sightseeing time because of the short daytime. Even after dawn, dynamic street views in Dotonbori, fresh seafood in Kuromon Market, and illuminated Tsutenkaku Tower all await you. Besides, although sunset can happen as early as around 16:50, the city can still enjoy about 5 hours of sunshine per day on average.

Night View of Dotonbori

Snack Stall in Kuromon Market

Pros and Cons of Traveling to Osaka in December, 2026

Pros:

Shinsaibashi Shopping Street

1. Though the climate of Osaka is a bit cold this month, sunny days show up frequently, making it relatively comfortable to stroll around, as long as not for quite a long time.
2. Early December is still the peak season for fall foliage in Osaka, and visitors can still enjoy impressive red foliage views here.
3. Osaka boasts rich activities to celebrate Christmas and New Year, providing people with enjoyable travel experiences.
4. Seafood tastes well in this season, and in Kuromon Market, you can enjoy fresh snow crabs, pufferfish, tuna...
5. Year-end sale begins in late December, and Shinsaibashi Street is a prime shopping destination.

Cons:

1. The temperature of Osaka in this month is relatively low, and when it’s cloudy or overcast, or in the evening, you’re likely to feel cold outside.
2. The short daytime doesn’t allow people to visit too many attractions under sunlight.
3. Early and late December are two peak periods, during which popular streets and attractions are crowded with visitors, and hotel prices also see an increase.

Clothes to Wear in Osaka in December

Clothes: It’s noteworthy that outdoor places are cold, but most indoor places are quite warm in December, so it’s better to wear comfortable clothes in the inner layer and anti-wind ones in the outer layer. For instance, you’re advised to wear a sweater and an overcoat / a down jacket as tops, and thermal pants and jeans as bottoms.

Shoes: To be ready for a possibly long stroll in the city, it’s suggested to wear comfortable and warm sneakers / leather boots.

Accessories: At colder dawn and dusk, and in the area of the Port of Osaka on windy days, warm accessories including gloves, a scarf, and a beanie are of great use. Plus, those who cannot stand even slight coldness are suggested to additionally bring some body warmers.

Requisites: Cold medicine; a foldable umbrella; skin moisturizer.

Red Foliage – Highlight of Osaka in Early December

In the first few days, you can still admire attractive foliage views in Osaka: (1) whether strolling around the Osaka Castle Park or taking a sightseeing boat on the moat, the colorful gingko and maple leaves will amaze you; (2) the maple trees and waterfall in Minoo Park of Osaka are quite worth a view after a comfortable hiking in the mountain area; (3) the fiery maple leaves, the cute Daruma dolls, and the vermilion halls in the Katsuoji Temple form a fantastic view.

Osaka Castle in Red Foliage Season

Special Activities in Osaka in December

1. Illumination Show in Osaka Castle
In winter, colorful lights are presented in the Osaka Castle Park, among which you can find the light in the shape of the main keep, Tenshukaku, just on a smaller scale. Besides, multiple illuminations depicting Japanese warriors in armor are displayed.

2. Christmas Market in Tennoji Park
The park holds a Christmas Market featuring food stalls and illuminated Christmas trees every year, bringing quite happy Christmas atmosphere. On a cold winter night, nothing compares to drinking a cup of hot wine in the market. After you enjoy a delicious feast here, a cello play will bring this activity to its climax.

3. Christmas Celebrations in Universal Studios Japan
Christmas-themed music is played all over the amusement park, and popular characters all dress up to celebrate the festival. More than that, eye-catching fireworks and illumination shows are quite worth a view.

4. Drawing Ceremony in Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
On the evening of December 31, people flock to this shrine to participate in the drawing ceremony, to seek good fortune for the coming new year. Under the dark sky, rows and rows of lanterns shine in the shrine, and the reflection of the Arch Bridge is also visible under illumination.

Make a Wish in Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

5. Bell-striking Activity in Shitennoji Temple
Another distinctive activity to welcome the New Year is the one held in Shitennoji Temple on the last day of this month. People queue up to strike the bell one by one to wish for good luck.

Tips for Having a Good Tour in Osaka in December

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

1. The peak foliage season in early December is absolutely a peak period of the city, when popular attractions are teeming with visitors, making it vital to purchase air tickets and book hotel rooms in advance.

2. Although New Year celebrations in shrines and temples on December 31 are memorable, you’re still advised to think twice about whether to visit Osaka during the New Year holiday for these activities, because it would not be quite comfortable to stay outside for hours on a cold night with large crowds. Moreover, many shops and restaurants close during the holiday, affecting your travel experience to some extent.