strange time to visit?

i am planning on visiting kyoto and the surrounding area for 3 weeks from about the 19th december. Is this a bad time to come?

I will stay with a friend for half the time, with his family for new years, but i also plan on travelling around a little before christmas and after new year.

can you see any problems with this?
thanks.

That depends on what you consider "problems". It is winter so if you hate the cold weather.... it depends on in which part of Japan you will be staying, too. Personally, I think it will be interesting to stay with a family for the new year as I am sure they will be doing some traditional end of the year/new year stuff. I hope you will enjoy your visit.

ASHIKAGA said:

That depends on what you consider "problems". It is winter so if you hate the cold weather.... it depends on in which part of Japan you will be staying, too. Personally, I think it will be interesting to stay with a family for the new year as I am sure they will be doing some traditional end of the year/new year stuff. I hope you will enjoy your visit.

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"cold" is in the eye of the beholder.

I have a feeling that people who call Japan (Honshu) cold in winter are Californians. I'm from the Seattle area, which has similar weather to England. If my experiences are anything to go by, you won't find it cold at all. I went to Tokyo in December, and Kyoto is even farther south. It's actually the driest time of the year too.

The only really "strange" thing is that businesses (mostly smaller ones) shut down around the new year, and obviously people are doing new years' stuff.

i am planning on visiting kyoto and the surrounding area for 3 weeks from about the 19th december. Is this a bad time to come?

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Kyoto Weather

Weather is relative I guess. If you are coming from the Sahara yeah it probably would be cold, but if you are coming from Siberia you just might end up sweating.

Just be prepared to face large crowds particularly at the airports and train stations as the year end rush to get home will be on.

Otherwise if you are staying with a family for New Years I would say it would be a great chance to participate in one of the biggest, if not the biggest, holiday season in Japan.

You will have the chance to visit temples for Hatsumode or the traditional first of the year visit to a shrine or temple to find out your fortune for the upcoming year.

Depending on the location though the crowds can be unbelieveable. Seeing as how just about everyone is off at the same time.

Do you have any "specific" questions?

New Year time is a pretty quiet affair by western standards. Go to hotsprings surrounded by snow and it will be enjoyable.