Start planning your trip
![sponsor image](https://cf.bstatic.com/static/img/affiliate_base/flexi/booking_logo_blue/ebc3273565b5e682ccaf01872d2e046749306442.png)
Average temperatures in Osaka and Kyoto in November and December range between 15℃ and 7℃. Here are some tips on what to wear if you plan to visit Japan's Kansai region in the winter months.
Photo by Pixta
Do you plan to visit Osaka, Kyoto, or Nara to enjoy the fall foliage or celebrate the New Year? If you’re visiting the Kansai region in November or December, read on for tips on what to wear!
In November 2023, the Kansai region (Osaka - Kyoto area) saw average temperatures of 14.4℃, highs of 18.9℃, and lows of 10.5℃. In December 2023, the average temperature was 9.3℃, with highs of 13.6℃ and lows of 5.6℃. (Source: JMA)
The Kansai region refers to Osaka Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture (Kobe, Himeji, Arima Onsen, Awaji Island, etc.), Shiga Prefecture (Lake Biwa, Hikone), Nara Prefecture, and Wakayama Prefecture.
November is the most popular season for traveling to Kyoto, Osaka, and the entire Kansai region. The comfortable climate and pleasant autumn breeze beckon foreign visitors and Japanese people alike to come and visit.
During the daytime in early November, you might get too hot if you wear too many layers, but mornings and evenings have drastically lower temperatures, so you should carry a scarf or a light jacket. Also, be wary of sudden showers, which will make the temperature drop.
December is colder than November, so you will need a down jacket, muffler, gloves, and other winter gear. If you are visiting Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, remember that it is by the sea, so be sure to dress warmly.
Pair a cotton top with trendy wide pants for a stylish fall look. You will definitely need an extra layer to wear in the mornings and evenings , and you won’t need to worry if you also wear a thin, light, heat-generating undershirt. You won’t need a knit cap or gloves.
Men can choose something convenient, like a denim shirt, that matches well with any fashion. You should be fine with one layer, but you can also wear a heat-generating undershirt if you feel it's too chilly.
If you plan to explore a lot outdoors, we recommend wearing a comfortable vest or other outer layer.
Layering will become essential in December. When going outside, you should have a long coat, a warm scarf, and comfortable tights to ward off the chills. Since the interior of buildings and trains will be warm, items that can be easily taken off are best.
Beneath your coat, you can coordinate your knit top and tights with a long skirt and stylish short shoes.
Wear a warm coat when going outdoors in December. A thick and heavy coat is hard to move around in when traveling, so wear a heat-generating undershirt to stay comfortable! If it’s particularly cold, have gloves and a scarf ready.
In this article, we focused on late autumn and early winter weather in the Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto, etc.).
Places like the Greater Tokyo area, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Okinawa have different climates. Please remember this article when you visit Kansai, and have a pleasant trip.
Written by
Hailing from Taichung, Taiwan, this woman's eyes light up at the mention of food. Having experienced incredible moments in Japan, she now resides in the Southern Hemisphere, using images and words to record precious memories and discoveries from her travels. She is the author of "Japan, Slow Travel: Encountering Mountain Cities, Floral Seasons, Islands, Seafood, Street Scenes, and Everyday Life, 2190X Seasonal Poems".