Chiba in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Chiba

13°C (55°F) High Temp

20°C (68°F) Low Temp

25 mm (1.0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Clear skies and crisp air make this ideal for winter illuminations - Japan Disney Resort's Christmas Fantasy runs through December 25th with less crowding than weekends in November
Perfect weather for exploring Narita-san Shinshoji Temple without summer heat or spring crowds - December temperatures of 13-20°C (55-68°F) are comfortable for the 2 km (1.2 mile) temple walk
Strawberry picking season begins mid-December - Chiba's famous strawberry farms in Kisarazu and Sanmu offer heated greenhouses when outdoor temperatures drop below 10°C (50°F)
Year-end matsuri season brings authentic local festivals like Naritasan Gion Festival preparation ceremonies that most tourists never witness - locals gather for traditional mochi-making and sake ceremonies

Considerations

December is peak domestic travel season with Japanese year-end holidays (December 29-January 3) - hotel prices increase 40-60% in final week and booking becomes difficult after November 15th
Ocean activities are largely suspended - water temperature drops to 16°C (61°F) and most beach facilities in Tateyama and Kamogawa close until March
Daylight hours are shortest at 9 hours 45 minutes - sunset at 4:30 PM limits outdoor sightseeing and many attractions close by 5 PM

Best Activities in December

Tokyo Disney Resort Winter Illuminations

December offers the perfect weather window for Disney's Christmas Fantasy and winter illuminations without the extreme cold of January-February. Cool 13-20°C (55-68°F) temperatures mean comfortable walking for 8-10 hours with fewer heat-related breaks. Early December weekdays have 30% fewer crowds than weekends.

Booking Tip: Purchase tickets 2 months ahead for guaranteed entry - December weekends often sell out by October. Park hopper tickets cost ¥8,700-9,400 ($58-63) depending on date tier. Arrive by 8 AM for rope drop to maximize ride time before illuminations begin at 4:30 PM.

Naritasan Temple Complex Walking Tours

December's crisp air and clear skies create perfect conditions for exploring the 1,000-year-old temple complex without summer humidity or spring pollen. The 3 km (1.9 mile) temple grounds and traditional shopping street (Omotesando) are comfortable to navigate in cool weather. Year-end prayer ceremonies offer authentic cultural experiences.

Booking Tip: Self-guided visits are free, but guided cultural tours including tea ceremony typically cost ¥3,000-4,500 ($20-30). Book temple stay experiences 3-4 weeks ahead as December is popular for year-end purification rituals. Allow 4-5 hours for complete temple complex exploration.

Strawberry Farm Picking Experiences

Mid-December marks the start of Chiba's famous strawberry season when premium varieties like Beni-hoppe and Fusanoka become available. Heated greenhouse facilities in Kisarazu, Sanmu, and Ichihara provide comfortable 18-22°C (64-72°F) conditions regardless of outdoor temperature. Peak sweetness occurs in December before tourist crowds arrive in January.

Booking Tip: All-you-can-eat experiences typically cost ¥1,800-2,500 ($12-17) for 30 minutes. Book through farm websites 1-2 weeks ahead as weekend slots fill quickly. Most farms operate 9 AM-4 PM with last entry at 3 PM. Expect 1-2 hour total experience including transportation from stations.

Boso Peninsula Coastal Scenic Drives

December's clear visibility and mild temperatures create ideal conditions for exploring the 200 km (124 mile) Boso Peninsula coastline. Winter brings dramatic wave action along Kujukuri Beach and clearer views of Japan from Nokogiriyama. Reduced summer beach traffic makes coastal roads more accessible for sightseeing.

Booking Tip: Car rental costs ¥6,000-8,000 ($40-54) per day in December - book 2-3 weeks ahead for year-end availability. Consider guided bus tours for ¥8,000-12,000 ($54-81) including lunch and major scenic stops. Allow full day (8-10 hours) for complete peninsula circuit including photo stops.

Traditional Sake Brewery Tours

December coincides with sake brewing season when Chiba's 35+ breweries begin producing fresh nihonshu. Cool temperatures preserve sake quality during tastings, and many breweries offer special winter-only varieties. The Katori and Narita regions host multiple breweries within walking distance of train stations.

Booking Tip: Brewery tours typically cost ¥1,500-3,000 ($10-20) including tastings of 5-8 varieties. December tours book quickly as this is premium tasting season - reserve 2-3 weeks ahead. Most tours run 10 AM-3 PM on weekends only. Designated driver services available for ¥8,000-12,000 ($54-81) per group.

Mount Nokogiri Hiking and Ropeway

December offers the clearest views of Japan Bay and Japan from the 329 m (1,079 ft) summit with visibility often exceeding 50 km (31 miles). Cool temperatures make the 2.5 km (1.6 mile) hiking trail comfortable, while the giant Buddha statue and stone carvings photograph beautifully in winter light. Fewer crowds mean better photo opportunities.

Booking Tip: Ropeway tickets cost ¥500 ($3.40) one-way or combine with hiking trail access for ¥950 ($6.40). Operating hours 9 AM-4 PM in December with last ascent at 3:40 PM. Hiking trail requires 2-3 hours round trip, ropeway option takes 45 minutes total. Weather can change quickly - check conditions before departure.

December Events & Festivals

Daily throughout December, special ceremonies on weekends

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple Year-End Fire Ceremony

Ancient goma fire ritual performed daily throughout December with special ceremonies on weekends. Monks burn prayer scrolls while chanting sutras - one of Japan's most authentic religious experiences. Free to observe from designated areas.

November 8 - December 25

Tokyo Disney Resort Christmas Fantasy

complete Christmas celebration featuring special parades, character meet-and-greets, and elaborate illuminations throughout both parks. Unique seasonal food offerings and merchandise available only during December celebration period.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layered clothing system - temperatures swing 7°C (13°F) daily from morning lows of 13°C (55°F) to afternoon highs of 20°C (68°F)

Comfortable walking shoes with good grip - December rainfall creates slippery conditions on temple stones and train station steps

Light rain jacket or compact umbrella - 10 rainy days average with sudden afternoon showers lasting 30-45 minutes

SPF 30+ sunscreen - UV index of 8 combined with winter reflection off water and buildings creates unexpected sun exposure

Portable phone charger - cold weather drains batteries 20-30% faster, essential for navigation and train apps

Cash wallet - many strawberry farms, sake breweries, and local restaurants don't accept cards, budget ¥8,000-12,000 daily

Warm hat and light gloves for early morning activities - temperatures feel colder due to 70% humidity and wind near coast

Packable down jacket - evening temperatures drop quickly after sunset at 4:30 PM, essential for illumination viewing

Moisturizing lotion - winter air and indoor heating create dry skin conditions, especially problematic for 8+ hour Disney days

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations before November 15th - Japanese companies book year-end parties and trips in bulk, causing sudden price spikes and availability issues in final December weeks

Visit Japan Disney Resort on Tuesday-Thursday if possible - weekend crowds in December can reach 65,000+ visitors while weekdays average 35,000-40,000 with significantly shorter wait times

Many local restaurants close December 29-January 3 for New Year preparations - stock up on convenience store meals if staying through year-end holidays, or book hotel dining packages in advance

JR East train delays increase 15-20% in December due to year-end travel volume - allow extra 30 minutes for all train connections, especially airport transfers during final week of December

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating how early sunset affects sightseeing plans - 4:30 PM sunset means outdoor attractions become difficult to photograph and navigate by 5 PM, plan major sightseeing before 3 PM

Not booking strawberry farm experiences in advance - December is start of season when fruit quality is highest, but many tourists assume winter means no farm activities and miss booking windows

Assuming December is 'low season' for pricing - domestic Japanese travel peaks during year-end holidays make this one of the most expensive months for accommodation and internal transportation