SeasonMapNagano weather in December
Japan
December in Nagano: cold, rainy, with clean air — a gamble, with 21 rainy days.
#10 of 12 months in Nagano · #1085 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 52/100 (tier D)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Nagano in December
No notes yet. Open Nagano on the map to add the first one.
Nagano climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 6°C / 43°F | 🧥 cold |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | -1°C / 30°F | |
| Rainfall | 141 mm / 5.5 in | 🌧 rainy |
| Rainy days | 21 days | |
| Humidity | 82% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | -1°C / 30°F | |
| Sunshine | 7 h/day | |
| Daylight | 9.7 h | |
| Wind | 9 km/h / 6 mph | |
| Snowfall | 59.4 cm / 23.4 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 34 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Nagano 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.
Peak crowdsHakuba and Shiga Kogen lifts, Snow monkeys in the hot spring, Winter break (fuyuyasumi) in Japan(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Nagano'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 weatherNagano's best weather comes in May, June and September — separate windows, not one continuous season.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Nagano in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Season
Hakuba and Shiga Kogen lifts
10 Dec – 10 Apr · usuallySki seasonCrowdedBook earlyNagano city is the train station the ski traffic passes through, and from December the buses west to Hakuba and east to Shiga Kogen run full. The high resorts hold on into April.
- Nature
Snow monkeys in the hot spring
15 Dec – 15 Mar · usuallyWildlife seasonCrowdedThe macaques at Jigokudani sit in the pool all year, but the winter version with snow on their heads is the one people come for. The last stretch is a walk up a forest path, icy in season. Source ↗
- Season
Snow season
Ski seasonAbout 59 cm of snow falls in the month.
from the climate normals
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Nagano — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Nagano?
Nagano in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Nagano?
- December in Nagano: cold, rainy, with clean air — a gamble, with 21 rainy days. It ranks #10 of 12 months for Nagano on SeasonMap's comfort score (52/100).
- What is the weather like in Nagano in December?
- In December, Nagano averages a daily high of 6°C and a low of -1.2°C, with about 140.8 mm of rain over roughly 20.8 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Nagano in December?
- Nagano has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 34 in December.
- Does it snow in Nagano in December?
- Nagano sees roughly 59.4 cm of snowfall in December.
Other months in Nagano
Compare Nagano in December
Warmer or cooler than Nagano 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.