Winter in Kyoto: Visit Kyoto in December, January & February

Although Kyoto is more frequently visited during the fall and spring seasons, the traditional architecture stuns visitors during winter in Kyoto, when its temples and shrines are blanketed with a layer of pure, white snow. 

Just imagine Arashiyama Bamboo Forest all in white, pops of color from the brocaded kimonos of the geisha or the Golden Pavilion framed by snow-covered trees! 

To help you have a magical winter in Kyoto, we’ve assembled all the information you need to know to stay entertained and warm during your travels. Become an expert in Kyoto winter weather and attire, winter festivals and activities, and the most warming winter dishes in Kyoto.

Find out more: Kyoto Winter Itinerary: Things to Do in Kyoto During the Winter

Kyoto's winter features dry, crisp air and colder nights, with December temperatures averaging around 7°C. The coldest period, known as sanchu no samusa (coldness of the mountains) by locals, occurs in January and February, when daytime temperatures often drop to 5°C and can fall below freezing at night.

If you're planning a winter visit, be sure to pack appropriately. A wool or down coat, gloves, and a scarf will help you brave the occasional icy winds, while dressing in layers is essential, as indoor spaces like shops, buses and restaurants are typically well-heated. 

With temperatures dropping quickly on cloudy days and early sunsets around 5 pm — thanks to the winter solstice in December, which shortens the day by about four hours — having those extra layers and accessories on hand will keep you comfortable throughout your explorations.

Yes, but not as much as you might expect — Kyoto doesn’t see the heavy snowfalls of northern regions like Hokkaido. You can expect occasional light snow between early December and mid-March, but it’s typically light and often melts within a few hours, leaving only a dusting rather than a thick blanket of white.

If you’re hoping to find snow in Kyoto, head out of central Kyoto and into the surrounding mountains. Kitayama, known for its botanical gardens, Mt. Atago, the highest peak in Kyoto, and Mt. Hiei are all in the northern part of the city and are often snow-covered for weeks, offering a beautiful contrast to the bare cityscape below.

As soon as December rolls around, cities across Japan put up Christmas-themed lights and decorations to help city-dwellers get in the holiday spirit, and Kyoto is no different. But the metropolitan area isn’t the only place to see illuminations. 

Kyoto Botanical Garden, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Heian Jingu Shrine, Synthesis Hills and Kyoto Station are just a few of the places with light-up events in December and January. 

These sightseeing locations might be great during the day, but seeing them lit up at night is an even more memorable experience. 

As the weather turns cool, people in Kyoto love to retreat indoors and eat warming dishes such as nishin soba and yudofu. 

Dating back to the Edo period, nishin soba features thin noodles in a soy sauce broth with grilled or simmered herring fish on top. Because seafood used to be scarce during Kyoto’s winters, herring has long been a reliable source of protein. 

From December on, the local people flock to the nearest soba restaurant to enjoy this dish. 

Another winter staple in Kyoto is hot yudofu, or tofu simmered in a lightly seasoned broth along with vegetables. More flavor is given with condiments like ponzu sauce and yuzu kosho, though the mix of kombu, sake and salt in the broth will be enough to warm you from the inside out! 

On December 14 each year, Kyoto residents gather to celebrate the history of the 47 Ronin at Bishamon-do temple in Yamashina, Kyoto. 

According to the tale, when their lord was forced to commit suicide after a scandal, the warriors plotted their revenge. After a few years, they beheaded the official who their lord had supposedly offended and were allowed to commit suicide after turning themselves in because they were attempting to restore their lord’s honor. 

To celebrate the legend, the Gishi Matsuri hosts a parade of TOEI actors reenacting famous scenes from the original 47 Ronin story. The ceremony is closed out with a prayer to honor the departed for their valor.

There’s no more traditional way to ring in the New Year in Japan than participating in Hatsumode, or the first visit to your nearby shrine or temple. From December 31 to January 3, visitors will come to ring the bell and pray for luck in the new year. 

A couple of popular places to do so are Fushimi Inari and Yasaka Jinja, but expect crowds, even at night!

Held within the grounds of Ebisu Jinja Shrine, Toka Ebisu is a festival celebrating the birthday of Ebisu, the lucky god of fishermen and commerce. 

Running from January 8 to January 12, the five-day festival includes mochi making, shrine presentations, kagura dancing, tea ceremonies, music, and food and gift stands. Blessed bamboo leaves are passed out to visitors, who are encouraged to pray for success in the upcoming year. 

Japanese hot pot dishes are essential during the winter season. Our recommendations? Shabu-shabu, named for the sound the hearty slices of meat make as it cooks in the hot pot, and nabe, the variations of which contain a balance of meat and vegetables. 

If you’re looking to dine like a sumo, chanko nabe — a Japanese sumo wrestler’s favorite dish — might be a good option for you. 

Find out more: The Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Nabe

If you thought the temples in Kyoto couldn’t get any more magical, just wait until you see them covered in powdery snow. Whether it’s the brown wood carvings of Kiyomizu-dera or the brilliant gold of Kinkaku-ji, the winter scenery in Kyoto is something everyone should experience in their lifetime.

Translating to “seasonal division,” setsubun is a centuries-old tradition with roots in China. Marking the transition into spring, when demons are thought to come, setsubun became a holiday designed to ward off evil and invite good luck. 

A few traditions during this time are eating ehomaki sushi and throwing lucky beans. Held on February 2 and 3, you can participate in several local setsubun festivals at Yasaka Shrine, Heian Jingu and more. 

In addition to bean-throwing, there will also be music and dances by maiko and geisha.

Find out more: Guide to the Most Famous Japanese Festivals

Bathing may be a Japanese pastime at home, but a visit to an onsen takes a delightful dip to the next level — especially when you can breathe in the fresh winter air while warming up your entire body. 

Check out this list of the best onsen in Kyoto, either for staying overnight or soaking in during the day! 

Knocking back one (or a few) glasses of sake is another great way to warm up the body from within while partaking in Japanese culture. 

During the winter months, amazake is also worth giving a try. Made with rice and koji (rice malt), this sweet, fermented rice drink, which can be made with alcohol or without, is commonly sold by vendors near shrines and temples. 

If you’d like to learn more about sake and Japanese drinking culture, check out one of our Kyoto sake tastings.

Looking for more winter-themed content? Check out these blog posts on winter in Tokyo, Nikko, and Hokkaido, as well as the best things to do in Japan during the winter.