SeasonMapMatsumoto weather in December
Japan
December in Matsumoto: cold, rainy, with clean air — a good time to visit.
#10 of 12 months in Matsumoto · #917 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 62/100 (tier C)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Matsumoto in December
Other months in Matsumoto
Matsumoto's forum calls May genuinely changeable — regulars describe a run of three sunny days followed by a day or two of rain, so packing for everything from short sleeves to a rain parka is standard advice. Up at Kamikochi, in the mountains within Matsumoto's borders, early mornings can still flirt with freezing even in May, considerably colder than the city itself; a light down layer for the evening is worth it if you're heading up there.
Add your own note from Matsumoto's card on the map.
Matsumoto climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 9°C / 49°F | 🧥 cold |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | -2°C / 29°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 6°C / 43°F | |
| Rainfall | 110 mm / 4.3 in | 🌧 rainy |
| Rainy days | 16 days | |
| Humidity | 74% | 💧 humid |
| Dew point | -2°C / 28°F | |
| Sunshine | 7.6 h/day | |
| Daylight | 9.7 h | |
| Wind | 10 km/h / 6 mph | |
| Snowfall | 37.5 cm / 14.8 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 33 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Matsumoto in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
BusyWinter break (fuyuyasumi) in Japan, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Matsumoto's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Toughest weatherMatsumoto's weather peaks April–June, best around May.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Matsumoto in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Season
Snow season
Ski seasonAbout 38 cm of snow falls in the month.
from the climate normals
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Matsumoto — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Matsumoto?
Matsumoto in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Matsumoto?
- December in Matsumoto: cold, rainy, with clean air — a good time to visit. It ranks #10 of 12 months for Matsumoto on SeasonMap's comfort score (62/100).
- What is the weather like in Matsumoto in December?
- In December, Matsumoto averages a daily high of 9.3°C and a low of -1.6°C, with about 110.1 mm of rain over roughly 16 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Matsumoto in December?
- Matsumoto has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 33 in December.
- Does it snow in Matsumoto in December?
- Matsumoto sees roughly 37.5 cm of snowfall in December.
Other months in Matsumoto
Compare Matsumoto in December
Warmer or cooler than Matsumoto in December
Similar destinations in East Asia — December
Within 300 km: Karuizawa's First lifts in Japan on 1 Nov – 31 Mar, and Tokyo's Autumn colour around 15 Nov – 10 Dec.