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Nozawa Onsen Weather in December

With daytime temperatures of 6°C (43°F) and nighttime lows of -3°C (27°F), December in Nozawa Onsen brings low temperatures during the day. Do keep in mind that December is part of the rainy season, with frequent and often heavy snow/rainfall.

Rainfall in Nozawa Onsen in December

Nozawa Onsen is in the rainy season in December, with rain on around 22 days and an average of 189 mm (7.4 in). Rain during the rainy season is significant rather than just light drizzle. Expect proper showers on most rainy days.

Temperature in Nozawa Onsen in December

Temperatures in Nozawa Onsen in December top out at 6°C (43°F) and drop to -3°C (27°F) overnight. Experience the winter season in December. Expect a cold feel throughout the day, not just in the mornings and evenings. Warm layers are essential. With lows of -3°C (27°F), nights are freezing. Packing a spare blanket is worth considering if you're staying somewhere that might not be fully heated.

Sunshine in Nozawa Onsen in December

The area sees fewer sunny days, with a projection of about 79 hours of sunshine. This reduced sunlight makes it ideal for those who prefer overcast conditions over bright sunny days.

If you're looking for dry conditions and comfortable temperatures, December may not be the ideal month to visit Nozawa Onsen. Our weather planner can help you explore destinations with more pleasant weather conditions.

Select a Month

Check the conditions for any month of the year.

For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit Japan, check out our Nozawa Onsen's climate page.

Nozawa Onsen Temperature in December

Min TemperatureMin Temperature -3°C (27°F)  
Max TemperatureMax Temperature 6°C (43°F)  
Chance of RainChance of Rain 75%  
PrecipitationPrecipitation 189 mm (7.4 in)  
Rainy daysRainy days 22 days  
HumidityHumidity 76% *  
SunshineSunshine 79 hours *  
Percentage SunshinePercentage Sunshine *  
* Data from: Joetsu, Japan (30 KM, 19 Miles).

Daily Historical Temperatures

49-year average (1976-2025)

Based on our historical records, temperatures in Nozawa Onsen typically drop from around 11°C (52°F) at the start of December to approximately 6°C (43°F) by the end. Nights are cold, with lows typically ranging from -1°C (30°F) to 3°C (37°F).

Average temperatures in December

Daily Historical Precipitation

49-year average (1976-2025)

Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.

Average precipitation in December

Historical weather for Nozawa Onsen in December

Browse day-by-day weather records for Nozawa Onsen spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.

Nozawa Onsen historical weather extremes in December

Based on weather observations in Nozawa Onsen between 2006 and 2025, these are the recorded extremes during December.

  • On December 4, 2018, temperatures climbed to 21°C (70°F), marking the warmest December day on record.
  • The coldest December day was on December 27, 2025, with a maximum of -1°C (30°F).
  • The coldest night in December in Nozawa Onsen was on December 23, 2025, with a minimum of -8°C (18°F).

Best Places in Japan in December

Find out more about the weather in Japan and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of Japan in December →

Map not visible? Whoops sorry! Please refresh the page.
Legend perfect weather pleasant tolerable unpleasant poor
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

What to Wear in Nozawa Onsen in December

We recommend to layer up for chilly conditions in Nozawa Onsen in December. You could start with thermal underwear or a good base layer to keep your core warm on the cooler days this month. Maybe also add a sweater or fleece, and top it off with a windproof jacket. Also bring a poncho, it will rain a lot! Waterproof everything you can. Sunglasses aren't essential this month, though you might want them for the occasional bright moment.

What To Do in Nozawa Onsen in December

We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.

Swimming
4/10
Cycling
3/10
Walking
3/10
Camping
1/10
Outdoor sports
3/10

Select a Month

Check the conditions for any month of the year.

For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit Japan, check out our Nozawa Onsen's climate page.

More climate data for Nozawa Onsen