SeasonMapYakushima (Yakushima National Park) weather in December
Japan
December in Yakushima: cold, rainy, with clean air — a good time to visit.
#7 of 12 months in Yakushima · #808 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 67/100 (tier C)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Yakushima in December
Other months in Yakushima
Yakushima's forum flags October as still within typhoon season, which can run through late in the month, and warns that heavy rain — not unusual on this famously wet island — can shut the trails and turn the rivers dangerous. Regulars still rate it among the best hiking months when the weather cooperates, so it's worth building a flexible day or two into the plan.
Add your own note from Yakushima's card on the map.
Yakushima climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 10°C / 50°F | 🧥 cold |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 7°C / 45°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 5°C / 41°F | |
| Sea temperature | 23°C / 73°F | 🙂 pleasant |
| Rainfall | 123 mm / 4.9 in | 🌧 rainy |
| Rainy days | 15 days | |
| Humidity | 64% | 💧 humid |
| Dew point | 2°C / 36°F | |
| Sunshine | 5.6 h/day | |
| Daylight | 10.2 h | |
| Wind | 39 km/h / 24 mph | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 44 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Yakushima 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 Yakushima'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).
Fair weatherYakushima's weather doesn't swing hard through the year — comfort stays fairly steady in every month.
What's on in Yakushima in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Season
Snow on the peaks
15 Dec – 31 Mar · usuallyClosuresIt is subtropical at sea level and alpine at the top. Miyanoura-dake holds snow through the winter, the high trails need proper kit, and the bus to Yakusugi Land can be cut off.
Where is Yakushima?
Yakushima in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Yakushima?
- December in Yakushima: cold, rainy, with clean air — a good time to visit. It ranks #7 of 12 months for Yakushima on SeasonMap's comfort score (67/100).
- What is the weather like in Yakushima in December?
- In December, Yakushima averages a daily high of 10.2°C and a low of 7.1°C, with about 123.4 mm of rain over roughly 14.6 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Yakushima in December?
- Yakushima has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 44 in December.