MustLoveJapan

December

Decemberis busiest month of the year. It is called Shiwasu which means even Buddhist monks are running. People will be busy for great cleaning called "Osoji" before New Year begins. Also, they have to write Negajo letters. Some people write several hundreds Nengajo letters every year.

December is the first month of Japanese winter, so there is few rain, and air getting so clear. Even from Tokyo, Mt. Fuji is clearly visible. It is very cold, but the weather is mostly sunny, so nice time to travel.

In the Christmas time, many cities will have great Christmas light up show. New Year's Eve is called "Omisoka." People start visiting shrine and temple at night just before the mid-night. This new year's worship is called "Ninenmairi" which means having worship for over years.

The contents of this month

Hiking Magome Hiking

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple

Tsumago Juku

360 degrees view of Mt. Fuji

Osaka Castle

Jishoji Temple

Chichibu Night Matsuri

Kawara Town

Omi-Hachiman

Kurama Temple

Arimatsu

Mt. Nachi

Christmas at Miyagase

Koyo at Shuzenji Nature Park

Sagamiko Illumillion

Megro Rv. Blue Cave

Mashiko

Menuma Shodenzan

Kifune Shrine

Nanzenji Temple

Nishi Honganji Temple

Kishiwada

Kanayama Castle

Gokasho

Trekking at Mt. Odake

Trekking at Mt. Hinata

Mt. Hinata

Enzan

Lk. Saiko Iyashi no Sato NENBA

Hanakawado

Fujinomiya

Fuyu Hotaru in Manyo

Lake Kameyama Koyo Cruising

The Gingko Avenue of Jingugaien

Iwamura Town

Hamamatsu Castle

Jukkoku Mt. Pass

Mito

Nihondaira Hill

Kamigamo Shrine

The Canal Bridge at Nanzenji

Kodaiji Temple

Enryakuji Temple Yokawa

Taga Grand Shrine

Kishiwada Castle

Gobo

Fukagawa Basho Tour

Daikanyama Noel Candle Fes

Hiking at Mt. Ono

Blue Cave at Yoyogi Park

Takara Clay Studio

Mt. Odake

Kumanokodo Nakahechi

Yunomine Onsen

Koyo of Shuzenji Temple

Rokkakukbashi Shopping Street

Hoppy Street

Showa Kinen Park Illumination

Showa Memorial Park

Fukuhara Sake Liquor Store

Ashigara Mountain Pass

The Shopping Arcade of Tateishi

Mashikoyaki Cooperation Center

Hikari no Saiten

Omiya Yokocho

Winter Sakura at Meguro River

Lighten up Ginkgo of Yasukuni

Omotesando Illumination

Yokohama Candle Cafe

Koyo in Musashino Park

Sakura Avenue of Aoyama Cemetery

Iwamura Castle

Shinmachi Street

Shokoso Garden

Torinoichi Festival

Seimei Shrine

Kifune Shrine Okumiya

Philosopher's Walk

Yasaka Shrine

Bandokoro Garden

Raiden Shrine

Tokyo Michi Terrace

Fukaya-juku

Araya Yama Shrine

Awa Shrine

Yokohama Kohoku 7 Lucky Gods

Chichibu Winter Fireworks

Mt. Ogusu Hiking

Lion Dance Red Leaf Trail

MIA Club

Oyunohara Torii Lit-up

Tokyo Tower Illumination

Koyo at Kitanomaru Park

TokyoDome Winter Illumination

Shoji Hamada Museum

Hakidaore Market

Seikeien Garden

Ginkgo ave. of Yasukuni Shrine

Caretta Illumination 2011

Kimura House in Iwamura

Nishio Castle

Hachimanyama Castle

Owakudani

Ryugashi Cavern

Daishogun Hachi Shrine

Shiramine Shrine

Entokuin Temple

Oumi Jingu Shrine

Cape Mihama

Kishiwada Amefuri Falls

Isoyama Benzaiten

Basho Memorial Museum

Tsurugaya Hachiman Shrine

Mino Akasaka Juku

Nonaka Ippo Cedar

Onigajo

Hirata House

Tsuchiura

Grandroof Illumination

Fuji Asahi Falls

Fuji Ash of Buddha Tower Park

Goryu Falls

Olinas Kinshicho Illumination

ARCATOWERS Illumination

Ako Gishi sai

Sensoji Hagoitaichi

Joy City Tokyo Illumination

Koyo of Yoro Valley

Iwamura History Museum

Iwasaki Castle

Himure Hachiman Shrine

Nihonoodori

Nishio

Odaiba Cristmas

Nagahama Castle

Saikasaki Canon Base

Mt. Ogusu

Lights at Kioicho Garden Terrace

Hiraide Historic Site

Akasaka Sakasu Music&Terrace

Nirasaki Heiwa Kannon Statue

Kasumigaura Fureailand Tower

Komatsu House

Uematsu House

Americayama Park Illumination

Kichijoji Illumination

Yugawara Fudo Falls

Artelligent Christmas 2011

Inokawa Valley

Koyo of Inokashira Park

Koyo in Koganei Park

Tosaya House in Iwamura

Katsukawa House in Iwamura

Sawayama Castle

Yamashita Park Avenue

Yokohama Park

Benten Island

Cape Ose

Soba Making at Gokoku Shrine

Misaka Mt.Pass

Cristmas at Marunouchi

Sio Tope

Samegai juku

Nonaka Spring Water

Izu Asahi Falls

Daigahara-juku

Hanging Gardens of Meguro

Tachikawa st. Illumination

Winter Sola Illumination

Muchu Illumination

Jimba Falls

Starlight Yokohama Illumination

Asakusa Shin Nakamise Street

Shinbashi Christmas Illumination

Winter Illumination at Yurakucho

Koyo at Lake Kameyama

Koyo in Yoyogi park

Kokkai Zentei Japanese Garden

Hikone Castle at night

Kadoya - Dagashiya

Morokuchi Shrine

Mandara Falls

Tatebayashi castle

Basho Garden

Hirui Otsuka Kofun

Yokkaichi Industrial District

Seko Valley

Yugawara Godan Falls

Memorial Park of Admiral Togo

ARK Hills Winter

Go! Fantasia

Kurotaki Fall

Tojo Castle

Feature of this month

Weather Information

This is the list of things to do in December in Japan, and the information of events, festivals and flowers in December.

National Holiday:
- 12/23 "Emperor's Birthday" (天皇誕生日)

Major Event:
- 12/24 Christmas Eve
- 12/31 New Year's Eve.

Weather: Mostly Sunny (rains 56mm per month)
Ave. temperature and humidity of Tokyo: 7.4 degrees C, 57%

Other Months

Hiking Magome Hiking

Travel Information

Hiking Magome Hiking (馬籠峠ハイキング) is one of the most popular forms of tourism in Japan. It starts from Tsumago-juku which is one of the best Samurai Style towns. This trail is located on the path of Nakasendo Road that connected Kyoto and Edo since the Edo period. Many famous Samurai walked this trail. It finishes at Magome-juku which is another beautiful post town. You can enjoy trekking with a beautiful view of Japanese nature and history.

Tourist Info.
There are parking and a restroom.
Trekking takes about 4 hours.

Access
0. at Shiojiri
1. use JR Chuo Line to Nagiso
2. use bus to Tsumagojuku