Visiting Okinawa in the Winter

With its beautiful beaches and plethora of watersports, you might think of Okinawa as a summertime-only vacation spot. However, a visit to Okinawa during its off-peak season is equally pleasant during the winter months, with breezy weather, far fewer crowds, and cheaper prices. The daytime temperatures average around 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) in December, making winter on the islands far milder than on the mainland. The cooler weather allows you to try non-swimming activities you might not consider during the prime summer months. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Okinawa’s wintertime! 

Okinawan winter is the perfect temperature for a bike ride, and you’ll be spoiled for choice with the number of islands you can tour around on two wheels. Grab a rental bicycle for the day at one of many hotels in the main city of Naha, and ride along trails with ocean views, old historical Ryukyu houses, and small quiet villages. If you want to island hop a bit, many ferries allow you to take your bike on board for a fee — just make sure to call ahead and confirm. 

With the holiday season of December and January, the main island of Okinawa in particular put on plenty of beautiful illuminations. Stroll through the Southeast Botanical Gardens, one of the most popular destinations for its light displays that complement the gardens’ natural features. Or, take a trip to the Okinawa Zoo & Museum, where you’ll find a laser light show at the end of December. And if you’re looking for something unique, you can go to the Mihama American Village, which puts on elaborate illumination displays — be sure to check out the view from above on the Ferris wheel! 

Starting in late December, humpback whales migrate from the Alaskan Aleutian Islands across the Pacific Ocean to land in Okinawa’s waters. You’ll find many companies that run boat tours out to Zamami Island, which is your best bet for spotting one of these impressive creatures. Because of their migration patterns, whale watching is an activity that’s actually only available in the wintertime in Okinawa. Because it’s birthing season, you might even see a baby whale if you’re lucky!

Consider a kayaking adventure if you want to explore beyond the beaches. Okinawa is home to beautiful, lush mangrove forests, where you can get up close and personal with these intricate ecosystems and their wildlife. Get a local guide to show you around Gesashi Mangrove Forest on the southern edge of the Yambaru National Park, where the subtropical forests are far more rural than what you’ll find near Naha. If you have time, explore one of the many hiking trails to check out Yambaru’s waterfalls and densely forested hills.

Starting in early December, the theme park Murasaki Mura — a destination dedicated to showing what life was like in the 15th century Ryukyu kingdom of Okinawa — puts on their annual Ryukyu Lantern Festival. This dazzling display of mythical, flowing paper lanterns is a sight to behold as you walk around the park grounds. You’ll find traditional entertainment like Okinawan folk songs, and plenty of delicious food like Okinawa soba noodles and nikuman buns.