Okinawa in winter, an Okinawa where you can't even swim in the sea (?). What do you do in Okinawa under such conditions?
Compared to summer, travel costs are significantly lower, making it a much more affordable season! However, you might be wondering what you can actually do and what interesting things there are to see and do.

Is it possible to snorkel in the ocean?
What should I do for sightseeing in winter?
What should you wear? ...and other things you might be wondering about regarding winter in Okinawa!

1. Basic Information about Okinawa in Winter

1-1 The Charms of Okinawa in Winter

・The travel costs are cheap!

・There are fewer tourists than during the summer high season!

・Pleasant weather!

The low travel cost is appealing. That means you can use the savings to upgrade your hotel or meals!

Another appealing aspect is that tourist spots are less crowded than during the peak summer season. It's a great time of year for those who want to enjoy aquariums, art museums, and other attractions rather than focusing on marine sports.

Finally, in mid-summer, Okinawa's sun is scorching and intense, making it difficult to walk outside for extended periods. However, while winter in Okinawa can be a little chilly depending on the weather, the temperatures are comfortable, allowing you to enjoy your trip! Therefore, it's arguably the best season to enjoy sightseeing at a more leisurely pace than in summer.

1-2 Temperature and Clothing

Even in December and January, the coldest months in Okinawa, the average temperature is over 15°C. Considering that the average January temperature in Tokyo is around 12°C, you can see just how warm it is. In terms of mainland Japan, it would feel like late autumn or early winter.
Because the difference between the mainland and the US is so significant, I think many people are unsure what kind of clothes to pack!

Even in winter, on sunny days with little wind, it can be warm enough to walk around comfortably in short sleeves.
However, it can get quite cold once the sun sets or when the wind picks up on the beach, so a light, windproof outer layer like a windbreaker or jacket is a good idea.

The key is to have clothing that allows for easy temperature adjustment. Thick sweaters are not recommended because they let the wind through and can be too hot when the temperature is high.

1-3 Are the travel costs really that cheap?

*Calculated based on the average per person travel cost to Okinawa from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.
*According to research by White Bear Family Co., Ltd.

Tour prices skyrocket in July and August, the peak summer season, and then drop sharply from September onwards. From October, after Health and Sports Day, prices may occasionally increase due to holidays and the New Year period, but it can be considered the bottom season rather than the peak season.

When you're looking for tours at this time of year, don't you get the impression that there are a lot of similarly priced options?
Some tours have a set minimum price for each season, so even if there are significant differences in content, the price may remain almost the same.
If you're looking for a tour package that includes flights and accommodation, be sure to carefully examine the tour details as well as the price.

Next page 2. [How to enjoy winter] Recommended ways to spend your time