Kanazawa Weather in December
Season: Winter Key points:1. Kanazawa enters winter in December, and the weather becomes increasingly cold.
2. Snow season begins this month, and the city gets the highest monthly precipitation on average.
3. Frigid and damp weather makes December not a good month to visit Kanazawa. But for those who love snow scenery, it’s a suitable month.
Kanazawa Streetscapes on Snowy Day
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Cold Winter Begins
Winter of Kanazawa begins in December, bringing colder and colder weather with gradually decreasing temperatures. With average temperatures roughly between 3 and 10 degrees Celsius (37 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit), the weather of Kanazawa is not suitable for outdoor sightseeing for a long time. In addition, relatively large temperature variation in a day makes people prone to having a cold. It’s further worth noting that the average wind speed this month can reach about 30 kilometers per hour (18.5 miles per hour), and you may feel even colder when it’s windy. Therefore, keeping warm is a must in Kanazawa in December, although the city’s lowest temperature basically doesn’t drop below 0°C (32°F).Wettest Month of the Year with Much Snow
The weather in December is the wettest throughout the year, with an average total precipitation of about 338 mm in about 22 days. Jointly influenced by the northwest monsoon and also the moist vapor of the Sea of Japan, Kanazawa receives a large amount of snow this month, and the snow may be quite heavy on some days. Besides, the weather is further changeable, and the city may experience rain, snow, and sleet in a day, somehow bringing uncertainty to people’s tours here. High precipitation additionally makes the average humidity of the city high at around 71%. In such weather conditions, you are likely to feel damp.Shortest Daytime and Sunshine Hours
In December, Kanazawa has the shortest daytime all year round, ranging between about 9h40min and 9h50min. The earliest sunrise happens at around 6:45, and the latest sunset time is at around 16:50. The short daytime makes it difficult to fully enjoy the various scenery of the city and you have to arrange your itinerary properly to make full use of the daytime. What’s more, frequent rain and snow, along with the short daytime, further cause the shortest sunshine duration, which only extends for 2 hours per day on average.
See alao: Japan Weather in December
Is Visiting Kanazawa in December Recommended?
In consideration of the frigid, snowy, and damp climate of Kanazawa in December, it’s not recommended to visit the city this month. Longtime outdoor activities are not suitable in such weather conditions, and your travel experience may be greatly affected by heavy rain or snow.However, this month also has some advantages: the snow scenery of Kanazawa in this month is fabulous, and the city is in its slack season when attractions are not crowded and hotel room prices are lower.
Clothes to Wear in Kanazawa in December
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Thick winter clothes: If you have decided to travel to Kanazawa in December, 2025, clothes to wear need to be warm enough and also windproof. For your tops, it’s suggested to wear a thermal top, a sweatshirt, and a windproof down jacket. To also warm your legs, choose to wear thermal leggings and windproof pants. Non-slippery and warm shoes: Melted snow on the ground makes roads a little slippery, and it’s necessary to wear anti-slippery and thick shoes such as snow boots. Warm accessories: Please pack your beanie, warm mask, scarf, and gloves into your luggage to keep your head, face, neck, and hands warm. Other essentials: In view of Kanazawa’s climate with abundant precipitation, you need to bring an umbrella or choose to wear a raincoat over your clothes. Besides, to cope with the relatively large daily temperature variation, cold medicine is also indispensable.Kanazawa December Travel Advice
1. Generally speaking, it’s not suggested to travel to Kanazawa in December as mentioned above. If you can only have time this month, or you want to admire the snowy scenery, it’s wise to check the weather forecast in advance to avoid making your tour on days with heavy snow or rain.2. If you have both sunny and rainy days in Kanazawa, indoor attractions such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and Ninjadera are more convenient to visit instead of outdoor attractions on rainy days. Sunny days with relatively higher temperatures are the more recommended time to enjoy outdoor sightseeing in places like Kenroku-en Garden and Higashichaya Old Town. If you only encounter rainy days during your stay, as long as it's not raining too hard, you can still go outdoor sightseeing because the main attractions of Kanazawa are not far away from each other, but remember to wear thick clothes, a raincoat, and waterproof shoe covers.
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3. For those who prefer snow scenery, Kenroku-en Garden and the Kanazawa Castle on slightly snowy days or after the city has just experienced snow are extremely beautiful. Don’t forget to wear non-slippery and waterproof shoes.
4. In December, both sweet shrimps and snow crabs are in season, and the Omicho Market is an ideal place to have a seafood meal. Besides, after your daytime sightseeing is over, a hot spring bath can relax your body and keep you warm.
Special reminders:1. Between December 29 and January 3, Japanese people celebrate New Year’s Day and public transportation is a little crowded. So you’re suggested to book your tickets in advance if you plan to take trains to make your trip smooth.
2. To celebrate the New Year, the Kenroku-en Garden opens free from December 31 to January 3, and free admission to the park is also allowed at the nights of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
December Weather for More Destinations in Japan:
Kanazawa Weather by Month
7-Day Kanazawa Weather Forecast
