SeasonScore
Okinawa, Japan
Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5

Japan

Okinawa in December

☀️ Dry season

Pleasant and some showers.

Best months: Mar (9.2), Nov (9.1), Feb (9.0)

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Why December scores 8.8What goes into the score

How it works
🌡️ 22° / 20°C🌧️ 77 mm💧 dew pt 17°🍃 PM2.5 8
  • Weather comfort7.9
    • ✓Comfortable temperatures (22°C highs / 20.2°C lows)
    • ✓Slightly humid (dew point 16.6°C)
    • ✓Mostly dry (~77 mm rain)
    • !Grey, overcast skies (~86% cloud cover on average)
  • Air quality9.6
    • ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~8 µg/m³)
  • Seasonal hazards10.0
    • ·No notable seasonal hazards
  • Safety baseline9.0
    • ·Normal precautions
Compare monthsPut December side by side with another month
DecMar
Score8.8 Excellent9.2 Excellent
Season☀️ Dry season☀️ Dry season
High / low22° / 20°21° / 19°
Rain77 mm72 mm
Humiditydew pt 17°dew pt 16°
PM2.58 µg/m³10 µg/m³

Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast).

Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026

Holiday week

A long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.

  • Year-end & New Year break 29 Dec – 3 Jan

    Most businesses and some attractions close; trains and flights are busy around the start and end. Source: Japan National Tourism Organization

National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).

Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Okinawa

  • Cherry blossom 2026 (what actually happened)2026 actual
    First blooms 18 Jan 2026, full bloom 3 Feb 2026

    Observed by JMA at the city's official sample tree. The 2027 forecast isn't out yet: Japanese weather companies such as the Japan Weather Association usually publish the first one in January, and we add it then.

    Source: Japan Meteorological Agency

  • Cherry blossom (hikan-zakura)Typical dates
    First blooms ~16 Jan, full bloom ~4 Feb

    Typical dates (1991–2020 normal). In 2021–2026 first blooms came between 4 Jan and 18 Jan (18 Jan in 2026). Blossoms last about a week after full bloom. Okinawa's deep-pink Taiwan cherry flowers in winter.

    Source: Japan Meteorological Agency

Explore OkinawaEvents, sights, food & souvenirs

Check event dates locally

Japan's southernmost prefecture, a chain of subtropical islands with coral reefs, beaches, a distinct Ryukyu culture and important Second World War sites.

Events in December
Autumn Foliage SeasonAcross Japan

Koyo maple viewing, especially in Kyoto, Nikko and the Japanese Alps.

Christmas & New Year IlluminationsAcross Japan

City light displays and year-end temple bell-ringing.

Coming up later

Cherry blossom seasonDate variesUsually late January to mid-February

Japan's earliest cherry blossoms, with deep pink Kanhizakura trees.

Why go: Blossoms come weeks before mainland Japan.

Where: Nago Castle Park and Yaedake

Humpback whale seasonDate variesUsually January to March

Humpback whales come to Okinawan waters to breed.

Why go: Whale-watching tours run from Naha.

Where: Kerama Islands and waters off Naha

Naha HaariiDate variesUsually early May, during Golden Week

Traditional dragon boat races praying for safety and good catches.

Why go: Coincides with Japanese holidays, so flights are busy.

Where: Naha Port