December is known as one of Japan’s festive months and the beginning of winter. All over the world, people celebrate the winter and holiday season as a season of love and giving. It is one of the best times to visit Japan, offering various things to do, events, and festivals related to Christmas and year-end preparation.

If you are planning to visit Kyoto in December, in this article I will share some best things to do and events in Kyoto in December.

December in Kyoto

December is the beginning of the winter season in Japan and Kyoto has plenty to offer and things to do in the holiday season, festivities, and traditional and cultural experiences. With a cold and chilly weather with an average temperature around 5-10°C and gets more colder and freezing in the morning and night.

During the holiday season in December, various illumination and light-up events and festivals are held across Kyoto as the main highlight events take place in famous tourist destinations in Kyoto such as the Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, and Arashiyama. Millions of LED lights and illumination displays brighten up the area and give a magical view.

Traditional and cultural celebrations during the holiday season are also some of the best things to experience in Kyoto. Festivals and events such as Christmas Market, traditional New Year’s Eve Celebration, winter festival, and local winter foods in Kyoto. Here are some of the best things to do in Kyoto in December.

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1. Enjoy Holiday and Winter Illumination

Illumination is the most popular celebration during holiday season, Kyoto in December offers various illumination events that held annually. Here are some popular illumination events held in Kyoto.

Arashiyama Hanatouro Illumination: The most popular illumination celebration in Kyoto held annually in mid-December. Thousands of LED lights brighten and give a more magical view.

Kyoto Station Illumination: Known for holiday and winter illumination in Kyoto, it features the popular Grand Staircase illuminated with hundreds of LED light displays and holiday-themed images.

Kiyomizudera Temple Illumination: A well-known tourist destination in Kyoto popular for its beautiful light-up and evening illumination during winter offers a fantastic and magical view of Kyoto at night.

For more information about the Winter Illumination, check the following article!

▶︎Best Winter Illuminations in Western Japan 2024–2025

2. Christmas Market

Christmas markets are part of the holiday season in Japan, in Kyoto, there are few places that hold a Christmas Market event where you can find unique gifts and seasonal products. Most of the Christmas markets are held in the shopping mall or inside the department store.

Kyoto Station Christmas Market is one of the famous Christmas markets held outside the station it features a German-style Christmas market with plenty of food stalls offering sausages and wine, and gift shops where you can find some unique seasonal products that are perfect for gifts and souvenirs.

For more information about the Christmas Market, check the following article!

▶︎Best Christmas Markets in Osaka and Kobe

3. Visit Arashiyama

Visiting Arashiyama in December is a great choice and offers a unique and fantastic experience it is one of the must-visit destinations in Kyoto known for its natural beauty. During this time Arashiyama begins to transform into a magical atmosphere that offers seasonal events and festivals such as Arashiyama Hanatouro illumination held annually in December and the most popular event.

You can also enjoy and explore popular attractions such as Arashiyama Bamboo Groove, Sagano Scenic Railway (Sagano Romantic Train), Monkey Park, Temples, and many more activities.

For more information about the Arashiyama, check the following articles!

▶︎Kyoto Arashiyama and Sagano: 10 Best Things to Do

▶︎Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro Illumination

4. Experience NAKED Light-up Exhibition

Experience the Naked Illumination and projection mapping event takes place in historic places in Kyoto. Offer a unique experience to witness the beauty of Kyoto with modern technology.

NAKED Garden One Kyoto:The Naked Garden One Kyoto” an art and digital project by the popular creative company Naked Inc. featuring digital art, light-ups, and illumination in nine locations in Kyoto including the famous Nijo Castle which is runs from September 14 to December 8, 2024.

NAKED GARDEN of Japanese Light at Heian Jingu Shrine 2024:One of the popular winter illumination and light-up events featuring digital art and mapping projection the event runs from December 13, 2024 to January 13, 2025.

Website: https://yoru-mo-de.naked.works/heian-jingu/ja/

For more information about the NAKED Spot in Japan, check the following article!

▶︎NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO 2024: Autumn Light-ups

▶︎Best Naked Spots in Japan

5. Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Visiting Kiyomizudera in December offers a unique experience in addition to its breathtaking views and various seasonal and winter celebrations. During this time Kiyomizudera illumination is held transforming the temple into an enchanting and magical view of Kyoto at night. Perfect spot to take a photo for souvenirs experiencing winter in Japan.

For more information about Kiyomizudera, check the following article!

▶︎Kiyomizudera: Kyoto’s Sacred Waters

6. Explore Nishiki Market

Exploring Nishiki Market in December offers seasonal Kyoto’s delicacies one of the best experiences a perfect blend of deep traditional Kyoto culture and modern food trends. It is also known as the “Kyoto’s Kitchen”. Where the whole street is full of shops and a variety of food stalls selling fresh foods and Kyoto’s specialties. During this time various seasonal products for holidays and winter are selling along the street.

For more information about Nishiki Market, check the following article!

▶︎Nishiki Market Tour: Food and Shopping Guide

7. Walking around the Gion District

Exploring Gion District offers a great experience in winter in Kyoto. Various things to do with a seasonal and traditional festival. During this time many food stalls and shops along the street of Gion selling seasonal products. You can also visit the famous Yasaka Shrine in Gion offers special illumination and light-up during December.

For more information about the Gion District, check the following article!

▶︎Gion: Traditional Geisha District in Kyoto

▶︎Yasaka Shrine: The Spirit of Gion

8. Experience traditional New Year’s Eve Celebration

Kyoto offers a unique and traditional way of welcoming the New Year one of the great experiences to witness the spiritual and peaceful celebration of the New Year. The temple ringing bell ceremony (Joya no Kane) is the traditional way of celebrating New Year’s Eve held in some popular temples in Kyoto such as the Chion-in Temple, Yasaka Shrine, and Nanzen-ji Temple.

In addition to this event traditional New Year’s food and illumination can enjoyed and make a memorable experience.

For information about New Year’s Eve event, check the following article!

▶︎Best New Year’s Eve Countdown Events in Japan 2024–2025

▶︎Hatsumode: Receiving the New Year in Japan

9. Visit Historic Temples and Shrines

Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the most visited shrine in Kyoto, in December offers a winter atmosphere a peaceful scenic view. You can enjoy slowly walking around the area, taken a photo and make a memorable souvenirs. During this time visitors are less crowded a perfect time to enjoy and discover the historic place.

Exploring the Torii Gates is one of the famous activities in Fushimi Inari Shrine then witness the traditional events and festival, enjoy the winter illumination, and seasonal foods.

For more information about Inari Shrine, check the following article!

▶︎Fushimi Inari Taisha: Kyoto’s Most Visited Shrine

▶︎Kyoto’s Heian Shrine: One of the Most Beloved Shrines by Kyoto Locals

10. Experience Kyoto’s Winter foods

December in Kyoto offers traditional treats when it comes to food, offering delightful seasonal foods served in hotels, restaurants, and some shrines. A visit to Kyoto in winter is not complete without experiencing popular food in winter such as Yudofu (Tofu hot pot) dishes commonly served in traditional restaurants a perfect food for cold weather.

For more information about winter food in Japan, check the following article!

▶︎Best Japanese Food to Try in Winter

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