Late December brings a mix of conditions across Japan. Rain or snow is likely around the middle of the week as a front passes through the country, followed by a clearer shift into true winter weather in northern Japan toward the weekend. Temperatures vary widely by region, ranging from cold and snowy conditions in Sapporo to cool but manageable weather in Tokyo and mild temperatures in Naha.

From December 24, a low-pressure system moves north toward Sakhalin with a front stretching across Japan. By December 25, the system reaches the Sea of Okhotsk and the front clears east of the country. Between December 26 and 27, high pressure from the continent spreads over Japan, bringing a winter pressure pattern. On December 28, high pressure centers near northern Japan while a trough of low pressure remains to the south.

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 will see changing skies this week, starting with some brighter periods before shifting to more persistent cloud cover. Rain becomes more likely around midweek, with chances reaching about 50 percent on Wednesday and Thursday, then easing as the weekend approaches. Daytime temperatures range from about 8°C to 15°C, with the warmest day around the middle of the week. Nights cool quickly, with lows falling between 2°C and 8°C.

Sapporo remains firmly in winter mode throughout the week. Daytime highs hover around freezing, briefly rising to about 7°C midweek before dropping again. Overnight temperatures stay well below freezing, often around -5°C to -6°C. Skies are mostly cloudy, with frequent snow, especially later in the week. A mix of rain and snow is possible midweek, and precipitation chances stay high overall.

Sendai starts the week with brighter skies before turning cloudier, with rain more likely as the week progresses. Precipitation chances peak around midweek, then gradually ease toward the weekend. High temperatures range from about 5°C to 12°C, while lows sit near or just below freezing, making cold mornings a certainty.

Osaka experiences a gradual transition this week, with mostly cloudy skies early on and clearer breaks appearing later. Some rain is possible around midweek, but conditions improve toward the weekend. Daytime highs settle between 10°C and 15°C, while overnight lows dip to around 3°C or 4°C.

Fukuoka sees mostly cloudy conditions with occasional sunshine, especially early in the week. Rain chances increase midweek, peaking at around 70 percent, before improving again toward the weekend. High temperatures start around 14°C to 17°C, then cool to about 9°C to 13°C. Nighttime lows drop to around 4°C or 5°C later in the week.

Naha remains mild overall, though a gradual cooling trend sets in toward the weekend. Highs ease from around 22°C to 24°C down to about 19°C to 20°C, while lows settle into the mid-teens. Skies are mostly cloudy, with some sunny breaks early in the week. Rain chances stay moderate, especially around midweek.

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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