One of the most famous places in Japan that people usually think about in summer is definitely Okinawa as this charming island is known for its beautiful beaches, delicious food and unique culture. But on the other hand, can you really go to Okinawa in winter?
As winter is approaching, it is getting colder and colder every day. By this time of the year, nothing is better than escaping the cold and warming yourself with hot food under the kotatsu and dreaming about a nice place where you can stay warm and fuzzy.
However, compared to the rest of the country, Okinawa is fairly warm in winter with temperatures around 10-20 degrees Celsius. Swimming, snorkeling and diving might be a bit too chilly but surprisingly there are plenty of activities and places you can visit. The best part is, there are fewer tourists and the plane ticket is cheaper in winter so you can enjoy your holiday at your pace even more. So why don’t we pack our bags and let’s enjoy various things that you can do in Okinawa in winter?
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT OKINAWA DURING WINTER IN JAPAN
Okinawa in winter might not be as famous as other seasons but there are several plus sides. First of all, there are way fewer tourists. Secondly, the plane tickets and hotel prices are much cheaper. Thirdly, you also avoid the rainy season in May and June right before the summer as well as the typhoon season that comes right after. Keep in mind that tourism patterns can shift, so it’s good to check travel trends before your trip. Though winter is still quieter, some years (especially since 2023) have seen more domestic tourists traveling in winter due to cheaper flights and government travel promotions.
You probably can swim, snorkel or dive in December if you aren’t afraid to embrace some coldness. Swimming and snorkeling may be possible in December for experienced swimmers with proper gear, but water temperatures can be chilly, especially from January onward. On the bright side, there is plenty of stuff you can do. The sea is still beautiful, the food is very delicious and you can enjoy other tourist attractions at your own pace.
Even though Okinawa is not as cold as other parts of Japan, its winter spirit is still as strong. You can see beautiful illuminations in many places such as Southeast Botanical Gardens. Moreover you can even see cherry blossoms in Okinawa as early as January and February!
For the latest travel updates, events, and local tips, check out the official Okinawa tourism website: Visit Okinawa Japan.
Hitting OKINAWA BEACHES and watching whales
It might be a bit chilly in mainland Okinawa however there are plenty of other islands further south with warmer weather. Yaeyama Islands are the southwestern archipelago situated not very far from Taiwan. The main city, Ishigaki, is known for beaches perfect for swimming, snorkeling and diving such as Sukuji Beach and Sunset Beach. Moreover, the must-see place of Ishigaki is Kabira Bay. Even though you can’t get into the water because it is the cultivation place for black pearls, you can still ride a glass-bottomed boat and enjoy the ocean view and marine life. Besides Ishigaki, there are several famous islands such as Iriomore and Miyako.
Coming back to mainland Okinawa, there are plenty of beaches as well as coastal areas that you can enjoy. Cape Maeda is only one hour away from Nahas—the capital city of Okinawa prefecture—and is known for its stunning views. Here you can book a snorkeling and diving tour to enjoy the beautiful Blue Cave or you can just admire the magnificent sunset view from the top. A bit further north of Cape Maeda is Cape Manzano. It is famous for its elephant-like rocky cliff which is one of the most famous sunset spots in Okinawa.
Even though you can go to the beach all year round in Okinawa, one activity that you can only do in winter is whale watching! One of the most famous places for this activity, not only in Okinawa but also in the whole of Japan, is Kerama Islands. You can take a ferry from Naha to the destination and book the tour from December until April to observe the humpback whales.
Eating out and shopping at Kokusaidori Street
Kokusaidori Street is the main shopping street of downtown Naha. The 2-kilometer street is filled with restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and many places you can enjoy. Here you can buy everything from funny Spam t-shirts to delicate Ryukyu glassware, and Habushu—Okinawa awamori-based snake wine (with literal snake inside).
If you have a chance to visit local izakayas, now it’s a chance to try authentic Okinawan food. It’s a bit different than a traditional Japanese meal set, or teishoku. Even though it is famous for sea products such as umibudo (sea grape seaweed), Okinawa offers a large variety of ingredients such as Agu pork, Ishigaki beef, beni imo (purple sweet potato), and surprisingly, Spam canned meat.
Why don’t you try famous dishes such as juicy braised pork belly called Rafutei, a delicious Okinawa soba topped with pork ribs called Soki, stir-fried bitter melon called Goya Champuru and deep-fried Okinawan donut called Sata Andagi.
Besides the main street, there are plenty of small alleys you can explore. Almost at the end of the street, there is Daiishi Makishi Public Market where you can buy even more souvenirs and local fresh products. Around that area, there are also plenty of lively walking streets, especially at night, with tons of izakayas where you can have some local dishes, drink Okinawan traditional awamori and enjoy the nightlife buzzing around you.
Visiting the historical Shuri Castle IN OKINAWA
Shuri Castle was a palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom that had ruled over the islands for many centuries before Okinawa became part of Japan. It is a symbol of Ryukyu culture as well as Okinawa with its distinctive architectural style which is different from other castles in Japan as it has a strong Chinese influence. The buildings and gates were painted with red lacquer while the roof was made of red Okinawan tiles. However, this World Heritage Site was almost completely destroyed by fire in 2019.
Now you can still walk along the stone path around the castle park. Moreover, as the castle was built on the hill, you can see the top view of Naha as well. Within the parking area, you can visit Shureimon, one of the main gates of the castle which is featured on ¥2,000 notes (yes, there are ¥2,000 notes which is super rare but you can occasionally see them in Okinawa, they remain very rare!).
There are several more gates that lead the way to the building areas. Even though the main building called Seiden as well as the other adjacent buildings Hokuden and Nanden were completely destroyed, you can still visit the site and see the reconstruction work which is estimated to be finished in 2026.
Chilling at Okinawa Mihama American Village
Only half an hour from downtown Naha, Mihama American Village is an outdoor shopping complex with an American atmosphere. This place has hundreds of restaurants, and shops as well as a cinema and game arcade. Here you can find any kind of food from American-style hamburgers, Hawaiian pancakes, Mexican taco, Japanese yakiniku, Okinawan famous ice cream and many more.
The best part of Mihama American Village is that it is right by the sea so you can sit on the outdoor terrace under the palm trees and look across the blue sea while enjoying your meal. Moreover, within a few minutes’ walk, you will be on Sunset Beach which is a famous spot for, of course, seeing sunset. Here, you can also swim and have BBQ as well.
At night, this outdoor mall is always sparkling with lightning and illumination all year round making it a nice picture spot when the sun goes down. However, there is even more illumination and decoration in the winter season to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
Saying hi to shark whales at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Besides beaches, one of the most famous attraction spots in Okinawa is Churaumi Aquarium as it is considered one of the best aquariums in Japan. Churaumi used to be the biggest aquarium in the world and It is home to, of course, the largest fish in the world—whale sharks.
The aquarium is extremely well organized as you can just follow the paths and enjoy the different kinds of marine life from seashells to live coral, leading up to the massive Kuroshio Tank where the whale sharks live. In that area, you can see other fish such as manta rays and tiger sharks. The other highlight of the aquarium is the Deep Sea Experience Room where you can see bioluminous creatures that live 200 meters depth in the sea.
Outside of the 3-story building, there are also sea turtles, manatees, as well as dolphins, shows with a beautiful ocean as a background. With so many things the aquarium has to offer, you can easily spend almost the whole day here. However, they also have a cheaper ticket price for someone who enters after 4 pm as well.
For updated hours and ticket details, visit the official Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium website.
Bonus: Study Japanese While Enjoying Okinawa’s Winter!
Want to experience Okinawa beyond sightseeing? Why not learn Japanese while enjoying island life?
ICLC Okinawa Japanese Language School offers language programs for students who want to study in a friendly, laid-back environment. Located in Naha, the heart of Okinawa, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in local culture, improve your Japanese skills, and enjoy everything the island has to offer, beaches included!
Explore your study options and make your winter in Okinawa unforgettable!
Ready to study in Okinawa? Contact us for free support!
FAQ
Do you need a car to travel in Okinawa?
No, but it’s generally recommended. It’s way better to rent a car to travel to mainland Okinawa. Be mindful that there might be many tourists during the holiday and you need to book a rental car in advance!
What transportation can I use in Okinawa?
There is a Yui Rail where you can travel within downtown Naha. You can use prepaid IC cards such as Pasmo or Suica, however, you might not be able to top up at the vending machine at the station as Okinawa has its own IC card called OKICA. Normally you can ask the station master at the booth to do it for you or you have to look for the special machine within the station that tops up other IC cards.
There are also buses between Naha and other cities. For other islands, there are also few buses so it’s better to rent a car (or a scooter or a bike for a short distance).
How should I dress for winter in OKinawa?
December is rather warm in Okinawa however January and February can be cold and windy. Even though you might not need a long coat like in mainland Japan, it’s important to bring long-sleeved innerwear, shirts and outerwear such as sweaters.
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