Tokyo in December With Kids: Lights, Weather & Tips

Tokyo in December is a good month for a trip with kids: it is usually dry and sunny, cold but rarely freezing, and the city's winter light displays switch on around 4:30 p.m., early enough to see them before bedtime. Plan for daytime highs around 12°C (54°F), pack layers rather than a heavy parka, and avoid relying on museums and zoos between December 29 and January 3, when many close.

We host families in our houses in Ekoda and Nerima through the Australian and New Zealand summer holidays, so this is the practical version: weather, light displays worth the trip, what closes, and how to set up a December stay.

What is the weather like in Tokyo in December?

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 averages for central Tokyo, December has:

• An average daily high of 12.0°C (54°F) and an average low of 3.8°C (39°F).
• About 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain for the whole month. Most days are clear.
• Around 174 hours of sunshine, more than June or July.

Snow in central Tokyo in December is rare. The real issue for kids is the evening chill once the sun goes down, which happens around 4:30 p.m. Mornings in residential areas like Nerima can feel colder than the city center.

What to pack for kids

• A warm, light jacket that packs small, plus a fleece or sweater for layering. Trains and stores are heated, so you will be taking layers off and on all day.
• Hat, gloves and a scarf for evening light displays.
• Lip balm and moisturizer. December air in Tokyo is dry.
• A stroller blanket or footmuff for babies. Our houses can provide a stroller on request.

Which Tokyo winter illuminations are best with kids?

Tokyo's winter illuminations are free street displays or ticketed light shows that run from November into the new year. Organizers publish the new season's dates in the fall. At the time of writing (October 2026), most 2026–27 dates have not been confirmed, so the dates below are from last season. Check each official site before you go.

Marunouchi Illumination (near Tokyo Station)

About 250 street trees along Marunouchi Naka-dori are lit in champagne gold. Last season it ran from November 13, 2025 to February 15, 2026, from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m., with lights on until midnight through December (source: marunouchi.com). It is flat, stroller-friendly and free, and easy to combine with a late-afternoon visit to Tokyo Station.

Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka Illumination

A 400-meter (about 1,300 ft) slope of trees lit in blue and white, with Tokyo Tower in the background. In 2025 it ran from November 4 to December 25, 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. Roppongi Hills usually holds a Christmas market at the same time. It gets crowded on weekends close to Christmas, so go on a weekday early in the evening.

Yomiuriland Jewellumination

A ticketed light show inside an amusement park in Inagi, western Tokyo. The 2025–26 season ran from October 23, 2025 to April 5, 2026, 4:00 to 8:30 p.m. Kids get rides and lights in one evening, but it is far from the center; from Nerima, allow well over an hour each way and check transport on the park's official site.

What closes in Tokyo over the holidays?

Christmas Day is a normal working day in Japan; shops, trains and attractions run as usual. The closures come at the end of the year:

• Ueno Zoo closes from December 29 to January 1, and every Monday (if Monday is a holiday it opens and closes on Tuesday instead).
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation decks in Shinjuku, free to enter, close December 29–31 and January 2–3.
• Many museums, government offices and some restaurants close for several days around New Year. Supermarkets and convenience stores stay open, though some supermarkets shorten their hours.

Plan big sightseeing days before December 28, and keep December 29 to January 3 for parks, shrines and walks in your neighborhood.

Where should families stay in Tokyo in December?

December is busy. School holidays in Australia and New Zealand start in mid-December, and many families visit for Christmas and New Year. Central hotels raise prices for those weeks, and rooms that fit four are scarce.

A house in a residential area handles the season well. You have space to dry winter clothes, a kitchen for warm dinners on cold nights, and a living room for the early dark evenings. At Nana House Ekoda, all three upstairs bedrooms have their own air conditioner with a heating mode, and the toilet seat is heated. From Ekoda Station, Ikebukuro is about 6–8 minutes by train, and from there it is a straightforward ride to Tokyo Station for the Marunouchi lights.

Book December dates early; our nightly houses offer free cancellation until 14 days before check-in. For the bigger picture on the area, see where to stay in Ekoda and Nerima, and for space and crib options, our guide to family apartments in Tokyo.

Daytime ideas for a December trip with kids

• Parks in the sun. Clear December days are ideal for big parks. If you came in late November, the last of the autumn color may still be on the trees; see our post on autumn leaves in Tokyo near Nerima.
• Ueno Zoo. Admission was free for children under 12 at the time of writing; check the zoo's official site for current fees and Monday closures.
• A free view. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has two free observation decks. From Nerima Station, the Toei Oedo Line runs directly to Tochomae Station below the building.
• Indoor backups. On a cold or wet day, Sunshine City in Ikebukuro has an aquarium, shops and food in one complex. Aquarium prices vary by date, so check before you go.

FAQ

Is December a good time to visit Tokyo with kids?

Yes. It is mostly dry and sunny, the light displays are a highlight for children, and early sunsets mean you can see them and still get kids to bed on time.

Does it snow in Tokyo in December?

Rarely. Average lows are around 4°C (39°F), so snow in central Tokyo in December is unusual.

Are the Christmas lights in Tokyo free?

Street displays such as Marunouchi and Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka are free. Light shows inside parks, such as Yomiuriland Jewellumination, need a ticket.

When should I book December accommodation in Tokyo?

As early as you can. For the weeks around Christmas and New Year, three months ahead is sensible for a house that sleeps a family. If you are already looking ahead to spring, read where to stay in Tokyo for cherry blossom season.

Plan your December stay

Check December dates for a heated 3-bedroom family house near Ekoda. Send us your dates and the ages of your kids, and we will set up a crib or stroller before you arrive.

Dollar figures use ¥150 = US$1.