Nara Weather in December

Traveling to Nara in December means that you will experience overall cold temperature, especially at night; sunny weather with soft sunshine; and quite short daylight hours. There are some worth-visiting highlights this month, which may make you willing to overlook the slightly chilly weather of Nara: the gorgeous autumn leaves in early December, and the Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri in mid-December, for example. Except for the peak season for autumn leaves, December sees smaller numbers of visitors.

Cold Overall

December marks the onset of winter in Nara, bringing noticeably colder weather. Early in the month, the daytime temperature is around 10-15 degrees Celsius (50-59 degrees Fahrenheit), and may reach above 15°C (59°F) occasionally; while the nighttime temperature hovers between 5°C (41°F) and 10°C (50°F). By month’s end, daily highs frequently dip below 10°C (50°F), and sometimes are even only around 5°C (41°F), making you feel cold outdoors. Nighttime lows typically range from 2-5°C (36-41°F), occasionally dropping to 0°C (32°F).

A Little Cold December

Sudden and significant temperature drops can occur this month. For instance, in December 2025, daytime temperatures reached 18°C (64°F) on both the 1st and 2nd, but plummeted to 10°C (50°F) on the 3rd. Therefore, even if you plan to visit Nara during the relatively warmer first half of the month, it’s advisable to monitor weather forecasts closely to avoid catching a cold during unexpected cold snaps.

Low Precipitation

Nara only gets about 52 mm of rainfall on average, one of the lowest levels around the year. Averagely, December sees 6 days with precipitation. Most of the time, the precipitation this month falls in the form of light rain. However, when the cold wave arrives, the city may also experience light snow, though this situation is relatively rare. The snow usually melts quickly.

Though the precipitation is low, the humidity still averages 64% this month, and you will not feel dry generally.

Isuien Garden, Nara

Daylight Hours / Sunshine Hours

Nara in December only has about 10 hours of daylight on average, and the sky gets dark quite early at 16:14-16:55. So, to have a richer travel experience within the limited time, you are recommended to get up early and take full use of the daytime.

With fewer rainy or snowy days, the sunshine hours can reach around 4 per day on average.

What to Pack when Visiting Nara in December

Tops: For the inner layer, you are recommended to wear sweaters, hoodies, or thicker knitwear with long-sleeved T-shirts. As for outerwear, if your trip is set during the first half of the month, consider bringing thick coats like wool coats, 3-in-1 jackets, or padded leather jackets. If you plan to travel during the second half of the month, when the climate of Nara turns colder, you need to pack one coat of the aforementioned thickness and a down jacket, which will be especially useful in the evenings.

Bottoms: Thick jeans, sweatpants, or casual pants are all suitable. However, it's best to layer them with long johns for extra warmth, especially during the latter half of the month.

Shoes: The best choice for winter with low temperatures is boots, which should be comfortable enough. Or, thick and warm sneakers or casual shoes are also OK.

Accessories: Scarves and winter hats will also come in handy. Don’t forget to put them in the luggage.

Top Things to Do in Nara in December

1. Admire Autumn Leaves

In the first few days of December, Nara’s autumn foliage remains at its peak viewing period. At this time, throughout Nara’s various attractions like Nara Park, alongside the adorable deer and distinctive architecture, you will also see beautiful autumn leaves in golden or red colors. These stunning leaves fall by mid-December.

Red Leaves in Nara

2. Visit the Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri

The Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival takes place annually from December 15 to 18, for approximately 889 years. This festival symbolizes the descent of the gods to earth to celebrate with the people, praying for bountiful harvests, health, and national peace and prosperity. Integrating various traditional performing arts, it stands as Nara’s most representative cultural event of winter.

December 15-16: In these two days, you can witness performances of kagura, Shinto music and dance, and bugaku, court dance and music.
December 17: It is the grandest day of the festival. You can visit a magnificent procession of numerous participants in traditional attire; sacred rituals; classical performing arts; and horse races.
December 18: You will see the ceremony to see off the deities, along with a smaller procession.

3. Join in Joya no Kane

On the night of December 31, 2026, the final day of the year, Todaiji Temple will hold Joya no Kane, that is, the bell-ring ceremony on New Year’s Day, to dispel worries. If you are interested in local culture, it’s highly recommended to experience it. You will join crowds of both locals and tourists to ring the bell from 00:00 and welcome the New Year. Of course, you will also see many people offering prayers for blessings within the temple.

Todaiji Temple

Crowds of Nara in December

Generally speaking, the first few days of December still see a relatively high number of tourists and quite high hotel prices in Nara, as this period coincides with the peak season for viewing autumn foliage. Subsequently, as the leaves gradually fall and temperatures steadily drop, visitor numbers in Nara begin to decline. As a result, tourist attractions gradually turn quiet, and hotel prices also start to decrease.

Quiet Nara in December

Tips for Visiting Nara in December

1. If you plan to visit Nara for autumn foliage in early December, remember to book your hotels and flights well in advance.
2. At the beginning of the month, Mount Wakakusa is still open, but be aware that it can be quite windy and cold at the summit, so be sure to dress warmly. Then, the Mount closes around mid-December each year.
3. As a reminder, the deer in December lack the plum-blossom-like spots and have overall brownish-gray coats.

Deer in December

4. If you wish to participate in Todaiji Temple’s Joya no Kane, note that you must arrive early to obtain the related ticket, which begins distribution at 22:30.