Nagano Prefecture

Nagano Prefecture Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Nagano Prefecture, Japan in December.

Planning a getaway to Nagano Prefecture, Japan this December and curious about the weather you should prepare for? Discover all the vital details you need on this page, solving your puzzle:

What to Expect in Nagano Prefecture in December

Nagano Prefecture, Japan is a region in Japan. December in Nagano Prefecture generally has cold temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. The month of December is in the winter season.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are cold and range from 2°C (36°F) in Omachi to 7°C (45°F) in Achi. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to -2°C (28°F) in Achi and -7°C (19°F) in Omachi. In many regions in Japan, December is characterized by its biting cold temperatures. If you're venturing into these areas during this time, it's crucial to be adequately prepared. Ensure you layer up with warm clothing to fight off the chill and stay comfortable.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Nagano Prefecture, Japan, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate snow/rainfall in Minamimaki with an average of 56 mm (2.2 in) to heavy snow/rainfall in Otari with 238 mm (9.4 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine tends to be more scarce in many locations. Hakuba gets roughly 86 hours of sunlight. For sunnier alternatives, check our weather planner to find destinations with better conditions.

Explore Nagano Prefecture by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Nagano Prefecture — and find the best time to visit. (based on Hakuba)

Best Places to Visit in Nagano Prefecture in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Nagano Prefecture.

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).

Popular Destinations in Nagano Prefecture

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in Nagano Prefecture, Japan?

Temperature range in Nagano Prefecture (December)

Precipitation variation in Nagano Prefecture (December)

Hakuba

In December Hakuba generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 3°C (37°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
10°C (50°F)
3°C (37°F)
0°C (32°F)
Min temperature
1°C (34°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-7°C (19°F)
Monthly sun hours
110 hours
86 hours
80 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
193 mm (7.6 in)
221 mm (8.7 in)
223 mm (8.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
23 days
26 days
Weather conditions

Yamanouchi

In December Yamanouchi generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 5°C (41°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -4°C (25°F) and high monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
5°C (41°F)
2°C (36°F)
Min temperature
2°C (36°F)
-4°C (25°F)
-7°C (19°F)
Monthly sun hours
141 hours
137 hours
128 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
105 mm (4.1 in)
129 mm (5.1 in)
144 mm (5.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
21 days
24 days
Weather conditions

Matsumoto

In December Matsumoto generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 5°C (41°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and high monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
5°C (41°F)
2°C (36°F)
Min temperature
1°C (34°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-8°C (18°F)
Monthly sun hours
141 hours
137 hours
128 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
123 mm (4.8 in)
119 mm (4.7 in)
121 mm (4.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
17 days
19 days
Weather conditions

Nozawa Onsen

In December Nozawa Onsen generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 6°C (43°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -3°C (27°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
6°C (43°F)
3°C (37°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
-3°C (27°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Monthly sun hours
106 hours
79 hours
67 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
146 mm (5.7 in)
189 mm (7.4 in)
206 mm (8.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
22 days
25 days
Weather conditions

Karuizawa

In December Karuizawa generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 7°C (45°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -2°C (28°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
7°C (45°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
-2°C (28°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Monthly sun hours
141 hours
137 hours
128 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
75 mm (3 in)
63 mm (2.5 in)
74 mm (2.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
15 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Nagano Prefecture, in Japan.

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Nagano Prefecture in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Hakuba 3°C (37°F) -5°C (23°F) 221 mm (8.7 in)
Yamanouchi 5°C (41°F) -4°C (25°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Matsumoto 5°C (41°F) -5°C (23°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Nozawa Onsen 6°C (43°F) -3°C (27°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Karuizawa 7°C (45°F) -2°C (28°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Otari 4°C (39°F) -4°C (25°F) 238 mm (9.4 in)

Nagano Prefecture weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Nagano Prefecture, Japan in December?

Nagano Prefecture, Japan typically experiences poor weather in December, part of the winter season. Daytime highs in Hakuba average around 3°C (37°F), and temperatures drop to about -5°C (23°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Nagano Prefecture, Japan in December?

Daytime temperatures in Hakuba peak at roughly 3°C (37°F) in December, dropping to about -5°C (23°F) overnight.

Does Nagano Prefecture, Japan get a lot of snow/rain in December?

Expect plenty of snow/rainfall. Hakuba records an average of 221 mm (8.7 in) in December, putting it among the wetter months for Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Nagano Prefecture, Japan?

In our opinion, December may not be the ideal time to visit Nagano Prefecture, Japan due to the typically poor weather in Hakuba.

Generally speaking, provide poor weather in Hakuba.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Nagano Prefecture.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Japan? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Japan.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.