Our Okinawa-based staff introduce what to wear, the weather and the best activities in Okinawa in December

December in Okinawa isn't quite warm enough for swimming at the beach, but the weather stays pleasantly mild, making it an ideal time for sightseeing.

Early December is also when Okinawa trip prices are low, so it is one of the best seasons for anyone planning an Okinawa vacation around value for money and sightseeing.

By the end of December, however, many people spend the winter holidays and the New Year countdown in Okinawa, so trip prices tend to go up.

Beyond what we've covered so far, if you are thinking of visiting Okinawa in December, you probably have plenty of other questions about the weather, what to wear, activities, and more.

This article offers the following information so you can enjoy your December trip to Okinawa with complete peace of mind.

We hope this article helps you make the most of your December trip to Okinawa.

Okinawa trip costs in December

Although December in Okinawa is too cool for swimming at the beach, temperatures of about 18 to 25 degrees C make it a warm and comfortable time to visit.

Early December is also a great season for sightseeing in Okinawa, and the appeal is that you can travel at bargain prices.

On the other hand, once late December arrives and the winter holidays begin, Okinawa trip costs tend to rise.

If you are planning an Okinawa trip in December, you are probably wondering, "How much will a December trip to Okinawa cost?"

Here, we split December into early and late December and give you a rough idea of Okinawa trip costs.

Okinawa trip costs in early December

Here is a rough guide to Okinawa trip costs in early December, a good time for sightseeing in Okinawa when daytime highs can even climb above 25 degrees C.

The estimated cost of an early December trip to Okinawa is based on search results from the travel site Jalan.

Searching that site turned up a 36,100 yen per person budget tou r (3 days, 2 nights).

Since an Okinawa trip generally costs about 29,000 to 80,000 yen per person, December can be called a good-value time to go.

Okinawa trip costs in late December

In late December, temperatures in Okinawa drop to around 12 to 20 degrees C, and the winter holidays begin, when demand for Okinawa trips rises.

For that reason, late December is a time when Okinawa trip costs soar.

As with early December, we checked the price of an Okinawa trip (3 days, 2 nights) for late December on the travel site Jalan and found a surprisingly high 82,400 yen.

Because it gets cold on the mainland in late December, demand tends to rise for an Okinawa trip, where you can stay warm even in December.

For that reason, a late December trip to Okinawa requires a high budget, as shown above.

Temperatures, weather, and what to wear in Okinawa in December

Okinawa's climate is different from the mainland's, so many people may find it hard to picture the temperatures and weather in Okinawa in December.

However, the weather and temperature affect what you should wear and pack.

By checking ahead of time, you can prepare for your December trip to Okinawa smoothly.

Here, we cover the following:

Please read through it carefully and enjoy Okinawa in December.

Temperatures in Okinawa in December

To give you an idea of December temperatures in Okinawa, we looked up the weather in Okinawa for November 2023 on tenki.jp (a weather website).

The weather in Okinawa in December 2023 is summarized in the table below, so please take a look.

In early December 2023, Okinawa had many warm days of about 20 to 25 degrees C, but by late December the temperature tended to be somewhat lower, at about 16 to 22 degrees C, even in Okinawa.

The average high and average low temperatures in Okinawa for December 2023 are also listed below for your reference.

"I can't tell how warm or cold it is just from the temperature."

Some of you may feel that way.

To compare with Tokyo, the temperatures in Okinawa in December 2023 were like those of early to mid October, a comfortable climate.

Weather in Okinawa in December

Next, as with the temperatures, we researched the weather in Okinawa in December 2023 using information from the weather website tenki.jp.

We found that in December 2023, Okinawa had "15 sunny or cloudy days" and "16 rainy days," so there was little difference between the number of rainy and non-rainy days.

Rest assured, though: because the weather in Okinawa changes quickly, it rarely rains all day long.

What to wear in Okinawa in December

Early December in Okinawa brings relatively warm days of about 20 to 25 degrees C, but by late December temperatures begin to drop to about 16 to 22 degrees C, even in Okinawa.

Also, once December arrives, north winds blow into Okinawa, so please note that it often feels colder than the actual temperature.

In early December you may be able to get by in short sleeves some days, but it can get chilly at night, so you'll need long-sleeved clothing.

In late December, even in Okinawa, cold-weather gear becomes essential.

Example outfits for Okinawa in December are summarized below for your reference.

Recommended activities in Okinawa in December

"Since it's cooler than the peak season, can I still enjoy marine sports in Okinawa in December?"

Some of you may be wondering that.

Rest assured, though: with proper cold-weather preparation, you can enjoy marine sports in Okinawa in December without any problem.

In addition to marine sports, there are also plenty of activities you can enjoy in Okinawa in December.

That is why many people struggle to decide which activities to choose for their December trip to Okinawa.

For those people,

our local Okinawa staff have hand-picked 8 recommended activities for December to introduce to you.

We hope this helps you enjoy activities in Okinawa in December to the fullest.

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 1
Whale watching

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 1 is whale watching, where you can meet wild whales.

From late December to early April, whales that live in cold regions such as Siberia migrate to the warm waters of Okinawa to give birth and raise their young.

For that reason, from late December to early April in Okinawa, the chances of encountering whales are very high, and it is said to be the perfect time to enjoy whale watching.

Here are the details of a company that runs whale watching tours from late December.

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 2
Diving

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 2 is diving, where you can experience Okinawa's highly transparent, magical underwater world.

The water in Okinawa in December can be as cool as about 20 degrees C on some days, but...

If you wear an inner layer and a wetsuit, you can enjoy diving in Okinawa in December without any problem.

Here are some recommended diving spots in Okinawa for December, so please use them as a reference.

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 3
Snorkeling

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 2 is snorkeling, a way to explore Okinawa's beautiful ocean world more easily than diving.

Snorkeling requires no license, and by using a snorkel, a simple breathing tube, you can observe Okinawa's underwater world.

The water in Okinawa in December is cool, at about 20 degrees C, but just as with diving, you can enjoy snorkeling without any problem if you wear a wetsuit.

Here are the details of a company that runs snorkeling tours in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 4
SUP

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 3 is SUP, a popular marine sport in which you stand on a small board on calm water and glide along slowly with a paddle.

Here are the details of a company that runs SUP tours in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 5
Zip line

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 5 is the zip line, where you glide above white sand beaches and highly transparent emerald-green water.

A zip line is an activity in which you glide along a wire rope that has been installed.

Here are the details of a zip line you can use in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 6
Kayaking

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 6 is kayaking, a marine sport that lets you enjoy Okinawa's nature, from its rivers to its sea.

Kayaking in Okinawa comes in two types, sea and river, and on a river kayaking trip you can admire mangrove forests, which are found only in subtropical regions.

Here are the details of a company that runs kayaking tours in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 7
Parasailing

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 7 is parasailing, where you soar through the sky on a parachute, pulled along by a boat.

Parasailing gives you a sweeping view of Okinawa's beautiful ocean from above, and you can even enjoy the feeling of flying through the air.

Here are the details of a company that runs parasailing tours in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 8
Glass-bottom sightseeing boat

Recommended December activity in Okinawa No. 8 is the underwater sightseeing boat, from which you can view Okinawa's clear water and colorful, adorable tropical fish from inside the boat.

Through the large observation windows installed on the underwater sightseeing boat, you can fully enjoy the beautiful ocean world of Okinawa.

Here are the details of an underwater sightseeing boat you can use in Okinawa in December.

Recommended sightseeing spots in Okinawa in December

With highs of about 22 degrees C, December in Okinawa is comfortably warm, a perfect time to tour the sights.

If you are visiting Okinawa in December, we really hope you will enjoy plenty of sightseeing, too!

However, Okinawa has so many attractions that many people find it hard to decide which ones to visit.

To help those who are struggling to choose, on this site we introduce hand-picked sightseeing spots for December that only local Okinawa staff would know.

Please use this information to enjoy sightseeing in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 1
Gangala Valley

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 1 is Gangala Valley, a mysterious valley formed when a limestone cave collapsed decades ago.

At Gangala Valley, you can feel the magical world created by nature and traces of humans from 20,000 years ago.

Here are the details of Gangala Valley, a recommended sightseeing spot in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 2
Gyokusendo Cave

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 2 is Gyokusendo Cave, the largest of Okinawa's limestone caves, of which there are said to be more than 600.

At Gyokusendo Cave, you can experience a mysterious underground world formed over about 300,000 years.

Here are the details of Gyokusendo Cave, a recommended sightseeing spot in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 3
Nakijin Castle Ruins

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 3 is the Nakijin Castle Ruins, the remains of Nakijin Castle, which is said to have been a base for trade with China in the 14th century by order of the King of Hokuzan.

It is now a World Heritage site, and its beautifully curving stone walls, which retain the look of their time, captivate visitors.

Here are the details of the Nakijin Castle Ruins, a recommended sightseeing spot in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 4
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 4 is the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, the largest aquarium in Okinawa.

In the aquarium's centerpiece, the enormous "Kuroshio Sea" tank, you can watch whale sharks, said to be the largest fish in the world, and reef manta rays swimming dynamically.

Here are the details of the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, a recommended sightseeing spot in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 5
Ryukyu Glass Village

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 5 is Ryukyu Glass Village, where you can try making Ryukyu glass, a traditional Okinawan craft, and enjoy shopping.

Ryukyu glass is known for its plump shapes and the bubbles that sparkle inside the glass, and because of its beauty it is loved by locals and popular with visitors, too.
Here are the details of Ryukyu Glass Village, a recommended sightseeing spot in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 6
Kouri Ohashi Bridge

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 6 is the Kouri Ohashi Bridge, which connects the main island of Okinawa with Kouri Island and boasts a total length of 1,960 m.

From the bridge you can take in a spectacular view of emerald-green water, which has captured the hearts of many visitors.

Here are the details of the Kouri Ohashi Bridge, a recommended sightseeing spot in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 7
Senagajima Umikaji Terrace

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 7 is Senagajima Umikaji Terrace, a beautiful cluster of white buildings set in a location surrounded by the sea.

At Senagajima Umikaji Terrace you can enjoy shopping and dining, and it is one of the popular sightseeing spots, also known as the island of love.

Here are the details of Senagajima Umikaji Terrace, a recommended sightseeing spot in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 8
Mihama American Village

Recommended December sightseeing spot in Okinawa No. 8 is Mihama American Village, where you can enjoy an American-style townscape without leaving Japan.

The area is full of colorful streets and cute monuments, and it is popular as a photo-worthy spot, too.

You can also enjoy American food and cafes.

Here are the details of Mihama American Village, a recommended sightseeing spot in Okinawa in December.

Recommended craft experiences in Okinawa in December

On recent Okinawa trips, in addition to activities and sightseeing, craft experiences that let you feel Okinawan culture have also become popular.

Of course, there are plenty of craft experiences you can enjoy in Okinawa in December, too.

From among them, we have hand-picked 3 recommended craft experiences in Okinawa for December to introduce to you.

Why not use this information to try a craft experience on your December trip to Okinawa?

Recommended December craft experience in Okinawa No. 1
Coral dyeing

Recommended December craft experience in Okinawa No. 1 is coral dyeing, where you can try dyeing with fossils of rare coral reefs.

You can make your own coral-dyed piece on items such as T-shirts and tote bags provided by the shop, using your favorite colors and designs.

Here is the shop where you can try coral dyeing, a recommended craft experience in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December craft experience in Okinawa No. 2
Ryukyu glass making

Recommended December craft experience in Okinawa No. 2 is Ryukyu glass making, a craft experience based on a traditional Okinawan craft.

Ryukyu glass, with bubbles sparkling inside the glass, is favored by visitors for its beauty, and the craft experience is also very popular.

Here is the shop where you can try Ryukyu glass making, a recommended craft experience in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December craft experience in Okinawa No. 3
Shisa painting

Recommended December craft experience in Okinawa No. 3 is shisa painting, a chance to color shisa, said to be the guardian spirits of Okinawan homes.

On a shisa that is small and cute, with a charming design, you can color it however you like and make a piece that is all your own.

Here are the details of the shop where you can try shisa painting, a recommended craft experience in Okinawa in December.

Recommended pools in Okinawa in December

Many of you who come all the way to Okinawa probably want to swim at the beach, but unfortunately the water in Okinawa in December is too cold to swim in the ocean.

However, there are many facilities with pools you can use even after December.

Here are some recommended pools you can use in Okinawa in December.

We hope this information helps you decide which pool to use in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December pool in Okinawa No. 1
The Moon Beach Museum Resort

Recommended December pool in Okinawa No. 1 is the pool at The Moon Beach Museum Resort, which is known for its stylish space surrounded by buildings.

The hotel pool can be used even in winter, and people who are not staying at the hotel can also use it for a fee.

Here are the details of The Moon Beach Museum Resort, a recommended pool in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December pool in Okinawa No. 2
Laguna Garden Hotel

Recommended December pool in Okinawa No. 2 is the indoor pool at Laguna Garden Hotel, a stylish space filled with natural light.

It also has a small slide and a Jacuzzi, designed so that people with children can enjoy it, too.

Here are the details of Laguna Garden Hotel, a recommended pool in Okinawa in December.

Recommended December pool in Okinawa No. 3
The Busena Terrace

Recommended December pool in Okinawa No. 3 is the indoor pool at The Busena Terrace, which is known for its open, airy space with high ceilings.

It offers a stylish space that couples and groups of friends can enjoy, and because it sits next to a children's pool, families can enjoy it, too.

Here are the details of The Busena Terrace, a recommended pool in Okinawa in December.

Events held in Okinawa in December

If you're going to Okinawa in December anyway, you'll want to enjoy the events held there in December, too!

Some of you may feel that way.

In Okinawa in December, a variety of events are held, such as illuminations and marathons.

Here are 3 of the leading events held in Okinawa in December, so please take a look.

December event in Okinawa No. 1
Ryukyu Lantern Festival

December event in Okinawa No. 1 is the Ryukyu Lantern Festival, known for its beautiful lighting displays of lanterns and many other kinds of lights.

At the Ryukyu Lantern Festival, a variety of events such as projection mapping and lantern making are held, and many people visit.

Here are the details of the Ryukyu Lantern Festival, an event held in Okinawa in December.

December event in Okinawa No. 2
NAHA Marathon

December event in Okinawa No. 2 is the NAHA Marathon, which began to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the sister-city agreement between Naha and Honolulu, Hawaii.

It has now become one of the largest sporting events in Japan.

Here is an overview of the NAHA Marathon, an event held in Okinawa in December.

December event in Okinawa No. 3
Itoman Peaceful Illumination

December event in Okinawa No. 3 is Itoman Peaceful Illumination, which is held at Bibi Beach in Itoman.

On December 31, a countdown fireworks display is launched, and you can also watch performances by famous artists and others.

Here are the details of Itoman Peaceful Illumination, an event held in Okinawa in December.

Fireworks festivals in Okinawa in December

In Okinawa in December, 2 fireworks festivals are held.

If the dates of your trip line up, you might want to take part while you're in Okinawa.

December fireworks festival in Okinawa No. 1
Ryukyu Kaiensai WINTER

December fireworks festival in Okinawa No. 1 is Ryukyu Kaiensai WINTER, where you can enjoy gorgeous fireworks that use cutting-edge technology.

At Ryukyu Kaiensai WINTER, you can enjoy an artistic fireworks festival that combines fireworks and music.

Here are the details of Ryukyu Kaiensai WINTER, a fireworks festival held in Okinawa in December.

December fireworks festival in Okinawa No. 2
The Final Countdown Illusion

December fireworks festival in Okinawa No. 2 is The Final Countdown Illusion, held on December 31 as a countdown event.

With a packed program that includes live music and fireworks, it is recommended for anyone who wants to welcome the countdown together with everyone else.

Here are the details of The Final Countdown Illusion, a fireworks festival held in Okinawa in December.

Q&A about Okinawa trips in December

To help those visiting Okinawa in December, we have listed some frequently asked questions about Okinawa in December below.

Answers to these questions are also included, so we hope they help you plan your December trip to Okinawa.

Can you get in the ocean in Okinawa in December?

The water in Okinawa in December is too cold for swimming at the beach.

What is the water temperature in Okinawa in December?

The water temperature in Okinawa in December is said to be about 21 to 24 degrees C.

What time is sunset in Okinawa in December?

Sunset in Okinawa in December is around 17:30 to 18:00.

What fruits are in season in Okinawa in December?

Fruits in season in Okinawa in December include star fruit, papaya, and atemoya.

Summary

This article has provided the following information so you can enjoy your December trip to Okinawa without any missteps.

Before you go, to avoid mistakes like "Oh, Okinawa in December is warmer than I expected! I wore the wrong clothes" or "I can use the pool even in December? I should have brought my swimsuit," please check this article carefully.