{"id":21089,"date":"2018-09-18T12:12:15","date_gmt":"2018-09-18T11:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=21089"},"modified":"2022-02-11T11:18:02","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T11:18:02","slug":"japan-in-december","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/18\/japan-in-december\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel to Japan in December"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>Picking the right time of year to visit Japan isn\u2019t easy. Many first-time visitors plan Japan holidays around cherry blossom in spring and <em>koyo <\/em>(the changing leaves) in autumn. But if you\u2019re happy to ignore the hype in favour of forging your own travels to Japan in December, you might well feel a little smug about the whole thing\u2026 I mean, who doesn\u2019t love a winter wonderland? <!--more--><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">What to expect from Japan in December<\/h2>\n<h2>1. Beautiful days<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-6823\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/10338751_626522044122488_5560349005581135201_n-1-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Fuji looking her finest with clear winter skies\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/10338751_626522044122488_5560349005581135201_n-1-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/10338751_626522044122488_5560349005581135201_n-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/10338751_626522044122488_5560349005581135201_n-1-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/10338751_626522044122488_5560349005581135201_n-1-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/10338751_626522044122488_5560349005581135201_n-1-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/10338751_626522044122488_5560349005581135201_n-1-510x383.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/10338751_626522044122488_5560349005581135201_n-1.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>Granted, Japan is <em>always<\/em> beautiful, but in December the days, while shorter, are beautifully clear and bright with crisp fresh air. The best weather bonus of all? Unlike many times of year, you\u2019re unlikely to spy all but the teeniest speck of rain.<\/p>\n<h2>2. Cold weather\u2026 with some exceptions<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-6991\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/shirakawa-720x511.jpg\" alt=\"Shirakawago illuminated in the winter\" width=\"720\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/shirakawa-720x511.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/shirakawa-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/shirakawa-1024x727.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/shirakawa-1200x852.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/shirakawa-900x639.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/shirakawa-1440x1022.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/shirakawa-390x277.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/shirakawa-780x554.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/shirakawa-510x362.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/shirakawa.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>If you look at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/destinations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Japan on a map<\/a>, you\u2019ll see that the very top of Hokkaido in the north is just a short hop from Russia, but the Yaeyama Islands in the south are within touching distance of Taiwan. As such, conditions vary wildly.<\/p>\n<p>In Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, chilly weather prevails with temperatures averaging around 8\u00b0C. If you\u2019re from a cold part of the world, this might feel balmy, but if not, do as the Japanese do and wrap up warm with plenty of layers. For those who really feel the chill, pick up some heat pads, toast your toes under <em>kotatsu<\/em> (tables with heaters underneath), warm up in an <em>onsen<\/em> (nature\u2019s hot tub) and tuck into winter food.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Winter food<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-10007\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Soranoiro-720x501.jpg\" alt=\"Tokyo Ramen - Soranoiro Ramen\" width=\"720\" height=\"501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Soranoiro-720x501.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Soranoiro-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Soranoiro-1024x712.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Soranoiro-1200x835.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Soranoiro-900x626.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Soranoiro-1440x1002.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Soranoiro-390x271.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Soranoiro-780x542.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Soranoiro-510x355.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Soranoiro.jpg 1596w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/food-and-drink\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Talking of food<\/a>, Japan has a wonderful way of adapting favourite dishes to match the seasons, e.g. it\u2019s not uncommon to eat chilled soba noodles or ramen in summer&#8217;s high humidity.<\/p>\n<p>In winter, steaming bowls of ramen or <em>nabe<\/em> (hot pot) not only fill you up &#8211; they are sumo wrestlers\u2019 meal of choice, after all &#8211; but they thaw out even the chilliest of tourists.\u00a0For a pre-5pm beverage, you can\u2019t go wrong with a mug of matcha, and as the sun goes down there&#8217;s nothing better to bring warmth to winter nights than with a hot cup of <em>amazake<\/em> (sweet rice wine) or sake.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/newsletter\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-32186 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Newsletter_SignUp_Banner-6.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"256\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>4. Fewer crowds<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-11158\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fushimi1-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"An icon of Japan: the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fushimi1-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fushimi1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fushimi1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fushimi1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fushimi1-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fushimi1-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fushimi1-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fushimi1-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fushimi1-510x383.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/fushimi1.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Disclaimer:<\/strong> Japanese schools break up around 23rd December, so you can expect more domestic travellers and tourists, as well as busier public transport after this &#8211; particularly around New Year. However, travel before then and popular attractions (such as the Fushimi Inari Shrine, pictured) and transport routes will be far quieter than at other times of year. As the low season, hotels may be cheaper too!<\/p>\n<h2>5. Illuminations<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-21092\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Shiodome7-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Shiodome Tokyo illuminations\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Shiodome7-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Shiodome7-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Shiodome7-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Shiodome7-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Shiodome7-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Shiodome7-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Shiodome7-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Shiodome7-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Shiodome7-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Shiodome7-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Shiodome7-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re worried about missing that sparkly run up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/experience-japan\/i-fst010-13\/christmas-in-japan-\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christmas<\/a>, don\u2019t. Japan\u2019s main religions are Shinto and Buddhism, but from the end of November, signs of the festive season come on thick and fast &#8211; you might even spot the occasional Christmas tree! As a celebration of winter, rather than Christmas, illuminations are not usually taken down until February.<\/p>\n<p>The most notable ones in the capital are in Marunouchi, Caretta shopping complex and the Tokyo Midtown complex. While no means an exhaustive list, highlights in the rest Japan include Kobe Luminarie (Kobe), Sendai Pageant of Starlight (Sendai), White Illuminations (Sapporo) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/experience-japan\/i-hntro-13\/kyoto-lantern-illuminations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>hanatoro<\/em> <\/a>where lanterns line the famous Arashiyama bamboo grove in Kyoto.<\/p>\n<h2>6. Fireworks at the Chichibu Night Festival<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-16824\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/2688536957_bdd3189fd0_o-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Fireworks in Japan\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/2688536957_bdd3189fd0_o-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/2688536957_bdd3189fd0_o-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/2688536957_bdd3189fd0_o-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/2688536957_bdd3189fd0_o-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/2688536957_bdd3189fd0_o-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/2688536957_bdd3189fd0_o-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/2688536957_bdd3189fd0_o-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/2688536957_bdd3189fd0_o-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/2688536957_bdd3189fd0_o-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/2688536957_bdd3189fd0_o-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/2688536957_bdd3189fd0_o-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>Despite fireworks being ubiquitous during the summer festival months, we think they are at their finest when lighting up a clear December sky.<\/p>\n<p>Take a 90-minute train out of Tokyo to see the brightest fireworks of all at the Chichibu Night Festival in Saitama Prefecture. Arrive hungry (and thirsty) &#8211; there are plenty of <em>yatai<\/em> stalls selling street food and hot <em>amazake<\/em> sweet rice wine.<\/p>\n<h2>7. Wildlife<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-half-width wp-image-5191 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/29850009-720x478.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/29850009-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/29850009-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/29850009-1024x679.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/29850009-1200x796.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/29850009-1440x955.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/29850009-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/29850009-780x517.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/29850009-900x597.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>While visitors and locals alike swaddle up in coats and scarves, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/experience-japan\/i-ne012-24\/snow-monkeys\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the snow monkeys of Yudanaka<\/a> warm their furs in their very own <em>onsen<\/em> (hot spring bath); situated in a clearing between the trees of the Jigokudani National Park, they\u2019ve certainly found themselves a plum spot.<\/p>\n<p>If your teeth are chattering thinking about it, head to Yonaguni Island in Okinawa and don a wetsuit to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/experience-japan\/i-ne001-3\/hammerhead-sharks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">see hammerhead sharks<\/a> instead.<\/p>\n<h2>8. Ski season<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-5452\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/niseko_annapuri-720x475.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"475\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/niseko_annapuri-720x475.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/niseko_annapuri-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/niseko_annapuri-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/niseko_annapuri-1200x792.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/niseko_annapuri-1440x950.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/niseko_annapuri-390x257.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/niseko_annapuri-780x515.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/niseko_annapuri-900x594.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>The first snowflakes drift towards ski resorts in December and melt away around mid-March. It\u2019s worth planning your dates carefully if you\u2019re a serious powder hound \u2013 while Japan has some of the best ski conditions in the world, the snow doesn\u2019t always perform on demand. While we wouldn\u2019t bet our bottom dollar on it, chances are the white stuff will grace you with its presence by the middle of December up in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/self-guided-japan-holidays\/i-nisko\/niseko-winter-sports-essential-\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hokkaido<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>9. Autumn leaves<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-12910\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_5649-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Misasa's autumn colours\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_5649-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_5649-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_5649-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_5649-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_5649-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_5649-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_5649-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_5649-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_5649-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_5649.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>Yep, you read that right &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/18\/japan-autumn-leaves-by-month\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">it is still possible to see the beautiful autumn leaves at the very beginning of December!<\/a> While (like the snow) you shouldn\u2019t count on it, you may well catch the tail-end in Kamakura, Tokyo and Kyoto. For a much better chance of seeing them, book your trip the last week of November into the first week of December \u2013 best of both worlds.<\/p>\n<h2>10. Kabuki theatre<\/h2>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-half-width wp-image-21094\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSC01371-720x478.jpg\" alt=\"Japan kabuki theatre kyoto\" width=\"720\" height=\"478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSC01371-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSC01371-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSC01371-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSC01371-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSC01371-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSC01371-1200x797.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSC01371-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSC01371-1440x957.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSC01371-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSC01371-780x518.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSC01371-510x339.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>Kabuki is a highly stylised form of traditional theatre. While most kabuki shows take place in Tokyo, in December the <em>Kaomise<\/em>, a performance representing the start of a new season and the introduction of new stars, comes to the Minami-za theatre in Kyoto.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If the cosy joy of December and the prospect of escaping the crowds appeals to you, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/self-guided-japan-holidays\/i-sc0001\/snow-country\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Snow Country<\/a> self-guided adventure, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/about-us\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact our team<\/a> for more information.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Not convinced? Head to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insideasiatours.com\/when-to-travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">When to Travel<\/a> &#8211; as well as monthly Japan weather overviews, it also has a comprehensive events guide to help you plan your Japan vacation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v4LXW1SQmqo\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F21089\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Picking the right time of year to visit Japan isn\u2019t easy. Many first-time visitors plan Japan holidays around cherry blossom in spring and koyo (the changing leaves) in autumn. But if you\u2019re happy to ignore the hype in favour of forging your own travels to Japan in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2361,2365,2355],"tags":[2321,3922,3925],"class_list":["post-21089","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-when-to-go-to-japan","category-festivals-events-in-japan","category-first-trip-to-japan","tag-winter-in-japan","tag-when-to-travel-to-japan","tag-japan-in-december"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21089","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/89"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21089"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21089\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32219,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21089\/revisions\/32219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21089"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21089"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21089"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}