Shizuoka Weather in December

Season: Winter
Key points: chilly; rare rainfall and crisp air; abundant sunshine hours and high visibility

Low Temperature

Average Temperature: 5-12℃ (41-54℉)

In the early winter, the weather of Shizuoka is not very freezing in December. It is pleasantly mild during the day at the beginning of the month, with high temperatures typically exceeding 15℃ (59℉). Even at midday, when the sunlight is at its strongest, maximum temperatures can reach 20℃ (68℉) or more; however, a distinct chill can be felt in the evening, as low temperatures mostly range from 5-10℃ (41-50℉). During the rest of the month, the temperature is on a downward tendency: on cloudy and rainy days, lows decline to 0-5℃ (32-41℉), while it gets somewhat warm in sunny hours with highs of 10-15℃ (50-59℉).

Besides, the temperature swing throughout the day is considerable - up to 11-13 degrees Celsius (52-55 degrees Fahrenheit), so onion-like dressing is crucial to stay comfortable during your daily outing.

One of the Periods with the Lowest Precipitation

As one of the months with the lowest precipitation, December averagely receives 72 mm (2.8 in) across 9 rainy days or so. Light showers account for the larger portion than heavy rain, which is concentrated around mid-December and normally brings 30-40 mm (1.2-1.6 in) daily rainfall. Therefore, if you get caught in such conditions, it’s recommended to plan more indoor attractions such as Chibi Maruko-chan Land, Gotemba Premium Outlets and Shizuoka City Museum of Art. But one positive aspect is that you may see a beautiful rainbow after the rain.

Heavy snowfall has already occurred at high elevations of Mount Fuji within Shizuoka this month, allowing the snowcap to be visible most of the time, but the snow cover is not thick enough, so some rocks are still exposed.

As it gets little rain, the air is crisp with the average humidity of roughly 62%, offering an ideal travel environment.

Daylength & Sunshine Hours

Sunrise Time: 06:38 - 06:57
Sunset Time: 16:38 - 16:48
Daylength: 9 hours 51 minutes - 9 hours 59 minutes
Sunshine Hours: around 6.5 hours on average per day

Daylight hours in December are the shortest of the year, nearly 10 hours. To make good use of time and avoid regrets, set off early and hit your favorite distant destinations first during the day. If you’d like to catch the sunset at Miho no Matsubara or Nihon Daira Yume Terrace, a good option is to book a hotel nearby, as it gets dark quite early and bus intervals are comparatively long.

The advantage is lots of bright sunny days, so you have ample sunshine hours to take attractive pictures, and don’t worry about getting sunburn thanks to the UV index of only 2. 

What should you pack for Shizuoka trip in December?

 Clothes: Thermal underwear, thin sweaters, woolen overcoats and thick sweatpants are enough to deal with Shizuoka’s climate in December. Once inside, you can remove the outerwear, since indoor places like restaurants and subways are well-heated. Considering you may visit the regions around Mount Fuji with chillier temperatures, it’s best to wear a down jacket.

 Footwear: Pack well-fitting sneakers or hiking shoes with soft insoles, plus high-ankle socks for extra warmth.

 Others: 
1. Prepare rain gear including compact umbrellas or light raincoats.
2. Wear a scarf and winter hat, as the wind, especially by the sea, usually results in lower perceived temperature. Plus, take a thermos cup and drink hot water regularly to keep warm.

Seasonal Highlights: Autumn Leaves & Mount Fuji

1. Early December may be your last chance to admire autumn leaves in Shizuoka. Apart from Shuzenji Nature Park, Sumata Gorge and Hamamatsu Castle Park, Ippekiko Lake, revered as “the Eye of Izu”, is also a wonderful viewing site: the red torii gate on the lake contrasts finely with colorful fall leaves, creating an extraordinarily picturesque beauty.

 Tip: The specific viewing time of autumn foliage may be postponed or advanced each year, so take note of related information and make a flexible itinerary.

2. Yamanashi and Shizuoka both offers awe-inspiring landscapes of Mount Fuji, but the latter is less crowded and more tranquil. Fujisan Yume No Ohashi Bridge, the areas around Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre and Tanukiko Lake provide different angles to appreciate its charm in winter.

 Tip: Though December is one of the best-visiting times thanks to its high visibility, you still need to check the weather forecast and choose a clear day to visit these sites.

Other Advice & Tips

1. At the end of December, local people take a vacation to celebrate a new year, and many restaurants and shopping malls may be shut down. Therefore, you’d better confirm in advance whether they are open before your departure.
2. From late October to mid-March, Gotemba Kogen Resort Tokinosumika host a gorgeous illumination show, including fountain shows with laser light, bubble shows and dance performances. If you have plenty of time during your trip to Shizuoka in December 2025, why not attend it?

Shizuoka Weather by Month