Miscellaneous

The weather varies greatly across Japan in the winter. Hokkaido is the coldest, with temperatures reaching as low as -11.4 ºC (11.5 ºF), whereas the Nanpo and Bonin Islands have a tropical climate year round. With mild winters, Kobe is somewhere in between. Using the average temperatures will help you determine what to pack if you’re visiting Kobe between December and March. What Kind of Weather to Expect Kobe has mild temperatures due to the protection Mount Rokko provides from the north winds as well as the warm waters of the Seto Inland Sea. In addition, the moderate humidity means you won’t find the breeze too bitingly cold. You can expect an average of around 16 days of snow over the entire winter. December Temperatures and Suitable Clothing In December, it still doesn’t feel like winter in Kobe. The average temperature is 8.7 ºC (47.7 ºF) with a low of only 5.4 ºC (41.7 ºF) and a high of 11.9 ºC (53.4 ºF). Along with January, this is one of the driest months. Be prepared for cold days by carrying a heavy coat with you when you go out — you’ll find there are some days when you don’t need…