Japan enters early December with a clear divide between regions. Central Japan will enjoy mostly clear skies, while northern areas face frequent snow or mixed precipitation. Southern regions pick up occasional rain or persistent cloudiness. High temperatures range widely, from cold in Sapporo to mild around Tokyo and very warm in Naha.

A strong cold air mass moves south from December 3 to 4. This will bring heavy snowfall to northern Japan and the Sea of Japan side of eastern Japan, with a chance of accumulating snow even in parts of western Japan.

No typhoons are currently in the forecast for this week in Japan.

Japan's typhoon season runs from May through October, with most activity from July to September. During a typhoon, transit delays and cancellations can be expected. Be sure to stay updated on the latest weather and flight information. For real-time updates on railways and airports, visit LIVE JAPAN's transport information page.

December in Japan feels like a meeting of two seasons. Early in the month, you can still catch the last bursts of autumn color in places like Tokyo and Kyoto, where parks and temples glow in warm reds and golds until around the middle of the month.

The weather is cool, dry, and comfortable for walking around or unwinding in an onsen hot spring. As winter settles in, cities light up with dazzling illuminations that brighten gardens, shopping streets, and seasonal events.

Christmas and New Year preparations add to the festive mood, and you’ll find plenty of hearty nabe, winter seafood, and warm drinks on menus everywhere. It’s an easy month to enjoy both late-autumn beauty and the excitement of Japan’s early winter.

Tokyo has a stable early December ahead with a pleasant mix of sunshine, scattered clouds, and only a small chance of rain. Temperatures begin quite mild with highs near 20°C, then settle into the low to mid-teens for the rest of the week. Overnight lows stay near 4°C, which creates cool mornings and evenings.

Sapporo turns sharply wintry this week as a strong chill arrives. Highs start relatively mild but drop below freezing in the middle of the week before rising slightly toward the weekend. Lows fall consistently between -5°C and 0°C. Expect mostly cloudy skies with frequent snow showers. Precipitation begins as a mix of snow and rain but turns into steady snow through mid-week. Chances for snow remain high, then drop to roughly 50 to 60 percent by the end of the period.

Sendai cools down significantly after a warmer start to the week. Highs range from about 6°C to the lower teens, and lows sit close to freezing at 0°C to 6°C. Expect mostly cloudy or overcast skies with some sunshine returning near the end of the period. There is a moderate chance of precipitation around mid-week with a possibility of mixed snow or rain.

Osaka begins the week on the warmer side with highs near 19°C, then transitions quickly to colder days with highs dropping to about 10°C to 12°C. Overnight lows fall to around 4°C to 6°C. Skies will vary between sun and clouds with a strong lean toward cloudy or partly cloudy conditions. Rain chances remain low, mostly between 10 and 30 percent.

Fukuoka experiences a temperature drop early in the week, moving from the low 20s to around 11°C to 12°C mid-week. Lows fall to around 5°C or 6°C. Conditions start with a mix of clouds and sun, followed by a cloudy stretch mid-week that may bring rain or even light snow. The sky then alternates between sun and clouds. Rain chances remain mostly below 30 percent.

Naha sees a changeable week with cloudy skies and a higher chance of rain at the start, followed by more breaks of sun mixed with clouds later in the period. Rain chances trend downward through the week. Highs begin around 26°C, drop to 21°C mid-week, then climb back toward 24°C. Lows fall to 16°C before rising again to about 19°C.

The forecast was AI-generated and then human-edited. Source for forecast and images: Japan Meteorological Agency website (www.jma.go.jp)

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