10 Things to Do in Kyoto in December

Kyoto, by beauty and tradition, is one of the main cities in Japan and, consequently, also one of the most visited during the summer and spring, especially in the cherry blossom season. However, if you are planning to visit this destination in December, you will be able to enjoy it with a low influx of tourists and with many activities available to celebrate the end of the year and Christmas.

Some of the best things to do in Kyoto in December include visiting the Nishiki Christmas market, enjoying the Arashiyama Festival of Lights, experiencing the Shimai Kobo celebration, discovering the Buddhist tradition of Joya no Kane, seeing the illuminated temples, welcoming Christmas in the Gion district and experiencing the New Year celebrations.

Visiting the Nishiki Christmas market in Kyoto is an enchanting experience that will immerse you in the festive spirit of the season. Nishiki is a popular street market all year round, but during December it takes on a special atmosphere. The market is filled with Christmas decorations, lights and a variety of festive products.

As you stroll through Nishiki, you will marvel at the wide variety of products on offer. You will find stalls selling traditional Japanese foods, such as sweets and local delicacies, which are specially decorated for the Christmas season. You can also find unique gift items, handicrafts, art products and souvenirs to take home.

In addition to food and gifts, the Nishiki flea market offers an opportunity to interact with the local community.

At Nishiki you can engage in conversation with vendors, learn about Japanese food culture and discover interesting stories behind the products on sale, as well as taking some of Kyoto's best food tours.

Enjoying the Arashiyama Festival of Lights in December is a magical experience not to be missed. This annual month-long festival illuminates the Arashiyama district with thousands of lights, creating a dazzling landscape. Streets, temples and gardens are transformed into a spectacle of colour and glow, immersing you in an enchanting atmosphere.

During the festival you can stroll through the illuminated bamboo forest, where lights filter through the tall bamboo stalks, creating a mystical and captivating atmosphere. You can also visit Tenryu-ji Temple, which is located in the heart of Arashiyama, and enjoy the view of its illuminated garden, highlighting the beauty of the natural scenery.

In addition to the lights, the festival also offers a variety of special events and activities. You can enjoy cultural performances, such as traditional Japanese music and folk dances, which are held at different venues in Arashiyama. You can also savour delicious local food at the street food stalls set up for the occasion.

One of the highlights of the Arashiyama Festival of Lights is the boat ride on the Hozu River, where you can admire the lights reflected in the water and enjoy the scenic views of the illuminated district from a different perspective.

Experience Shimai Kobo, Kyoto's most popular winter festival in December, and immerse yourself in a celebration of tradition, art and culture. This festival takes place at Chion-in Temple every December 21, and is a unique opportunity to witness the dances and performances of the Noh theatre, a traditional Japanese art form.

During Shimai Kobo, the talented actors and musicians of the Noh theatre come together to perform a series of masterpieces in a sacred setting. The presentations are a combination of dance, music and performances that tell stories from Japanese mythology and history.

In addition to the Noh theatre performances, Shimai Kobo offers a festive atmosphere with street food stalls offering delicious traditional dishes. You can sample local specialities and enjoy the unique flavours of the winter season.

The festival also provides an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Chion-in Temple in a special atmosphere. Its magnificent gates and gardens are given a mystical touch by the Christmas illuminations and decorations that surround them. The area is also home to some of the best samurai experience academies in Kyoto.

The Susu Harai ceremony is an ancient ritual held at Honganji Temple every 13th December. This annual event aims to purify the body and spirit of the attendees, as well as ward off negative energies and attract good fortune.

Honganji Temple, with its impressive architecture and rich history, provides the perfect setting for this sacred ceremony. During the Susu Harai, participants gather in the spacious main hall, where beautifully decorated altars and flower arrangements are displayed.

The ritual begins with a series of prayers and chants recited by the temple priests. These sacred words invoke the gods and benevolent spirits, requesting their protection and blessings for the attendees, in one of Kyoto's most popular winter events.

After the prayers, participants are sprinkled with purifying water, known as susu. This symbolic act represents the removal of negativity and spiritual renewal. The water, considered sacred in Japanese tradition, is believed to possess healing and purifying powers, cleansing the soul and opening the way to harmony and prosperity.

Welcoming Christmas in Kyoto's Gion district is an experience that combines traditional Japanese beauty with Western festive spirit. Gion is known as the geisha district and is characterised by cobblestone streets, teahouses and ancient temples. During the Christmas season, the atmosphere is transformed with lights and decorations that create a magical atmosphere.

Strolling through the streets of Gion during the Christmas season will allow you to enjoy the beautiful illuminations and traditional Japanese architecture. Historic buildings are dressed in festive lights, creating a picturesque and romantic setting. It's the perfect time to capture unique photographs and immerse yourself in the essence of the place, as well as discover the neighbourhood on some of Kyoto's best tours.

Aside from the lights and decorations, Gion offers a variety of restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a special Christmas dinner. You can sample delicious Japanese cuisine, from sushi to traditional dishes such as sukiyaki, and toast with a glass of sake to celebrate the occasion.

During Christmas, you may also encounter geisha and maiko, the traditional entertainers. Some of them dress up in festive kimonos and participate in special events for the season. Watching their elegance and grace in this unique setting is a fascinating cultural experience.

One of the main things to do in Kyoto in December is to discover the illuminated temples. During this season, many of the city's religious buildings are adorned with festive lights and decorations, creating a picturesque visual spectacle, often reminiscent of Western illuminations on Japanese architecture.

At dusk the temples come alive with the soft light of lanterns and lights highlighting their architectural details. You can visit iconic temples such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Yasaka Koshin-do and Kodai-ji, which are transformed into oases of tranquillity and spirituality.

Each illuminated temple offers a different experience. You can walk along paths lined with lights, gaze at the carefully illuminated gardens and marvel at the majesty of the centuries-old buildings.

At these sites you can also attend traditional Japanese music concerts, tea ceremonies or even take part in guided meditation practices or some of Kyoto's best cultural activities.

If you are looking for a unique spiritual and cultural experience during your trip to Japan in December, you will be interested to discover the Joya no Kane Buddhist tradition in Kyoto's temples. This custom, also known as the Ringing of the New Year's Bells, is a Buddhist practice performed on the eve of the changing of the season to purify the past and welcome the new year with good fortune.

During December, many temples in Kyoto open their doors to the public to participate in this special ceremony. Visitors have the opportunity to join the monks and worshippers as they ring the temple bells. Each chime represents the elimination of 108 earthly desires and purifies the soul to begin the new year with renewed hope and clarity.

Participating in Joya no Kane will allow you to experience an important part of Japanese culture and witness an ancient practice that has been passed down through the centuries while also discovering some of Kyoto's finest temples.

Experiencing the New Year celebrations in December is a magical experience that combines rich Japanese tradition with the festive joy of the season. Kyoto, known for its history and beauty, transforms into an ideal setting during this time of year.

The streets are decked out with festive decorations and twinkling lights that create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Markets and local shops offer a variety of traditional culinary delights, as well as some of Kyoto's best cooking classes.

During the night of 31 December, known as Oshogatsu, many temples organise bell ringing ceremonies, where visitors have the opportunity to ring the bell to ward off evil spirits and welcome the new year with hope and joy. In addition, you can also experience the traditional New Year performances, which create a festive and folkloric atmosphere in equal measure.

Trying a Christmas dinner at the city's restaurants is a unique culinary experience that combines Japanese tradition with the festive spirit of the season. Kyoto, known for its fine dining and attention to detail, offers a wide variety of options for those who wish to enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner in true Western style, even if Christmas is not a long-established custom in Japan.

Kyoto's restaurants create special menus, fusing local ingredients with traditional techniques. From kaiseki dishes, a sophisticated multi-course meal, to more contemporary options, diners can indulge in a wide range of flavours and presentations. There is also often something for the little ones, which will come in handy if you are planning to visit Kyoto with children.

In addition to the food, the atmosphere in the restaurants often includes elegant décor, soft lighting and ambient music that creates a warm and welcoming ambience, ideal for enjoying dinner in the company of loved ones or celebrating with friends. Japanese hospitality, known as omotenashi, ensures that diners feel welcome and cared for throughout the evening.

Enjoying Christmas in the snow in December is a magical experience that combines the charm of the city with the festive atmosphere of the winter season. Kyoto, known for its rich history and natural beauty, is transformed into an even more special place when covered in snow.

One of the most popular options for enjoying the snow in Kyoto during Christmas is to visit the famous Kinkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. This majestic temple, surrounded by a beautiful Japanese garden, looks even more impressive when covered in snow, creating a scene worthy of a fairy tale. In addition, the small square at its entrance is often home to a giant Christmas tree.

In addition, Kyoto's markets and shopping streets offer a variety of options for enjoying Christmas in the snow. Visitors can enjoy outdoor ice skating, shop for gifts and Christmas decorations at local stalls, and indulge in the sweets and street food on offer during the season.

Finally, don't forget to enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner in Kyoto's restaurants. Many establishments offer special menus for the occasion, where diners can savour traditional Japanese dishes with a festive twist. From sushi to shabu-shabu, there is something for everyone.

In December, the city experiences cold temperatures. During this month, winter begins to set in in the region and temperatures average between 5° and 12°.

At night, temperatures can drop even further to well below freezing, which you will notice if you visit Kyoto in November or during the following months. It's important to prepare for the weather and pack warm clothing, including jackets, scarves and gloves.

Snow is not a common sight in Kyoto during December, although there is often heavy snowfall towards the end of the month. When this happens, the city takes on a special charm, especially in the temples and gardens, where the snow creates a peaceful and picturesque atmosphere.

Kyoto is a popular tourist destination in December, but the influx of visitors tends to be more moderate compared to other months of the year. Although not as crowded as in spring during the cherry blossom season, nor as in autumn during the changing colour of the tree leaves, Kyoto still attracts tourists who wish to experience the city's winter charm.

Kyoto's most iconic tourist sites, such as Kinkaku-ji Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, can still see some influx of visitors, especially during holidays and weekends. However, the advantage of travelling in December is that queues and crowds tend to be smaller, allowing you to enjoy the sites at your leisure and appreciate their beauty without the crowds.

In December, prices in Kyoto can vary depending on tourist demand and the peak travel season. In general, December is considered to be a season of moderate rates compared to the peak tourist periods in spring and autumn.

Prices for accommodation in hotels and ryokans, which are traditional Japanese inns, tend to be more affordable in December, as demand is lower compared to other months of the year. You can also find deals and discounts on travel packages and sightseeing activities during this period, as well as full-day tours from Kyoto.

December is not only a cold month in Kyoto but can include snowfall, so I advise you to pack the following in your suitcase:

• Winter coats
• Waterproof boots
• Warm socks
• Waterproof and tactile gloves
• Woollen hats
• Woollen scarves
• Woollen jumpers
• Fleece trousers
• Thermal fleece