Warm Winter Getaway in Okinawa, Japan: Culture & Local Eats

Last Updated on March 2, 2026

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Winter Escape in Okinawa

Planning a winter trip to Okinawa? Wondering what to eat, where to stay, and how to enjoy the island like a local? Here’s my full experience from early February, with tips you won’t find in guidebooks.

What is Okinawa Like?

In early February, our family finally had a day off together, so we went to Okinawa, a southern island of Japan, for a warm winter getaway. Okinawa is less than a three-hour flight from Tokyo, and we’ve visited many times before. Naha Airport is filled with beautiful orchids. They greet arriving visitors warmly. Okinawa has a subtropical climate, and the high humidity gives a slightly warm, muggy feeling that really makes you feel like you’ve arrived in Okinawa.

Climate in Okinawa

The temperature difference is surprising. While Tokyo is in the middle of a cold winter with average highs around 10°C (50°F), Okinawa enjoys a mild climate with highs reaching nearly 20°C (68°F), even in early February. That said, the temperature can drop to around 15°C (59°F) on colder days. It’s helpful to have a lightweight puffer jacket as it’s easy to carry when the temperature changes.

For Smooth Transportation

This time, we challenged ourselves to travel with as little luggage as possible for our 5-day trip, so we came with only backpacks. This meant we didn’t need to go to baggage claim and could leave the airport quickly. From the airport, you can take a taxi, a bus, or the monorail. Those who rented a car can use a shuttle service.

Taxis and rental car agencies get extremely crowded during Japan’s holiday seasons. If you’re visiting during these times, I highly recommend booking your first night’s stay at a place accessible by monorail.

Tasting Okinawa Soba

We took a taxi to our accommodation, dropped off our bags, and headed out for dinner to enjoy some delicious Okinawa soba at Minoya. Okinawa soba is different from Japanese soba, as it is made from wheat flour and has a unique texture. The broth is made from bonito and pork, and it’s topped with sweetly simmered meat and kelp.

The moment I sipped the soup, the rich aroma of the dashi filled my senses, making me even hungrier. The noodles are thinner than udon and slightly wavy. As I slurp them down and take bites of the sweet, simmered pork, the table goes quiet—we just can’t stop eating, moving from one bite to the next. If you find it a bit too sweet, be sure to add some pickled red ginger (beni shoga), which is always available on the table. It completely transforms the flavor profile and adds a sharp, refreshing finish.

In addition to Okinawa Soba, we ordered Tofu Chanpuru, a stir-fry dish made with tofu and vegetables. The savory dashi broth gave it a deep flavor, and with so many vegetables and tofu, we enjoyed it right down to the last bite without ever getting tired of it.

Do Your Research First

We’ve visited this restaurant many times and knew that their Okinawa soba and other local dishes are delicious. However, Okinawa soba can vary in quality, so I recommend checking the restaurant in advance.

Enjoying Local sweets

After dinner, we went to a supermarket to buy some local sweets and enjoyed them leisurely back in our room. Our room had a kitchen, and a welcome tea was prepared for us. It’s a caffeine-free tea that you can enjoy even at night without any worries. It was a blue butterfly pea tea blended with Okinawan herbs, and thanks to this thoughtful touch, we were able to relax completely.

Okinawan Culture

Okinawa was once under American administration, so various aspects of life show American influences. The chocolate cake in the photo, called German Cake, was created by an American named Mr. German. Topped with a coconut filling, it’s a well-known sweet treat in Okinawa. Taking a bite, the flavor of crunchy coconut spread alongside the moist chocolate cake, making it a perfect match for herbal tea.

Living Like a Local

The next morning, we prepared a simple breakfast ourselves and enjoyed a delightful time, almost as if we were living there. Getting away from everyday life and changing the scenery is an incredibly exciting experience. After that, I took a bus to DFS Galleria Okinawa and rented a car there by myself.

Smart Way to Rent a Car

DFS Galleria Okinawa is more than just a place for shopping; it also houses multiple rental car agencies. Since it’s located right next to the monorail station, it’s a very convenient choice for picking up or returning a car. Instead of picking up a car right after arriving when you’re tired, you can choose to rent one the next morning after getting some fresh rest.

The Naha Terrace

I did a bit of window shopping and enjoyed the atmosphere before stopping by The Naha Terrace, a nearby hotel. It was February, but Okinawa was warm and surrounded by greenery and flowers, reminding us of early summer. This hotel boutique houses a long-established import select shop from Okinawa called Roger’s, and features a carefully selected range of stylish Okinawan products. There were also foods that looked enjoyable to take home, but I headed straight to our main destination—the tea lounge.

It seemed I had entered from the back of the hotel, so I had to walk through a corridor, but the hotel was so lovely that I enjoyed exploring it. I had visited this hotel before for a wedding, but this time I came because it often appeared in the blog of a certain woman who inspired me to start my own. I wanted to experience the atmosphere she wrote about for myself. You can find more about her on my “About Me” page, so feel free to take a look if you like.

The pool came into view. When I looked back, the lush greenery and flowers were reflected on the water’s surface, and I found myself gazing at it in admiration. In summer, it must be a lovely place to spend pool time under the parasols.

Morning Tea Delight

I finally took my seats in the tea lounge,  Living Room Maroad, and chose a Chestnut Mille-Feuille from the many tempting options. Also, dressed in winter clothes and feeling a bit warm in the sunshine, I decided to order an iced tea.

Since it was a weekday in winter, the tea lounge was quiet and perfect for relaxing. It felt  just like a living room. With beautifully crafted, hotel-made sweets and fragrant iced tea in such a lovely setting, you can truly relax and have a special time. I highly recommend visiting this place if you are in Okinawa.

On the way back, I bought some hotel-made savories and cookies. I had the savories for breakfast the next morning, and I enjoyed the cookies with everyone even after getting back home.

Local Takeout Lunch

I grabbed lunch to go at a local place called Pizza House Jr. Pizza House isn’t a pizza-only restaurant. But it became popular with Americans after adding “pizza” to its name during the pizza boom at the time. The “Jr.” line is a more casual concept and can often be found in shopping malls in Okinawa.

This time, I ordered Cantonese-style fried chicken, Texas-style beef stew, and tacos.

It was my first time visiting this restaurant. Everything had unique flavors that I rarely get to experience in Tokyo—it was all very delicious. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside. And I felt the Texas-style beef stew had a lot of tomatoes in it.

Okinawa has many taco shops, but the taco shells here were exceptionally thin. The tacos were also packed with vegetables, and I finished them in no time. Although I’ve visited Okinawa many times, discovering this new flavor made for a very enjoyable lunch.

Current Shop Information

Unfortunately, the restaurant I visited is no longer in business. However, as an alternative, I’ll provide information below about other stores that are still operating.

Exploring a Historic Castle

We headed to a resort hotel in central Okinawa to enjoy another warm winter getaway. Even after finishing lunch, we had some time before check-in, so we decided to explore a historic castle, known as a gusuku, in Okinawa.

I mentioned that Okinawa was once under American rule. But if you go back even further, in the late 19th century, Okinawa was actually its own country, known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. The gusuku we visited, Zakimi Castle, was built during that period, and its stone walls still stand today. UNESCO now lists it as part of the “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.”

Zakimi Castle

The top image shows the stone walls of Zakimi Castle Ruins, which are built from Ryukyu limestone, formed from layers of coral and shells. If you look closely, the texture closely resembles coral. As you can see, it was a cloudy day, but the magnificent stone walls still felt solemn and powerful. If the weather isn’t great, exploring castles like this can be a wonderful choice.

Guardians of Okinawa

Nowadays, the site is nicely maintained for visitors, and welcoming shisa statues greet you at the entrance. These statues, used to protect homes from evil spirits, are still usually sit on rooftops or gates in Okinawa, and local artisans often craft them in pottery workshops.

You will often see them in pairs: one with its mouth open to ward off evil spirits and invite good luck, and the other with its mouth closed to keep the good luck in.

Tradition and Craftsmanship

While gusuku can be found throughout Okinawa, Yomitan Village, where Zakimi Castle is located, is also well known today for its pottery workshops. The washbasin in the castle park was made of yachimun, traditional Okinawan pottery, and I admired its bold lines and vibrant colors.

Quick Tip: Finding The Crafts

Every year, during the third Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of December, a pottery market is held at Yachimum-no-Sato in Yomitan Village. While you can find Yachimun (Okinawan pottery) all across the island, purchasing a piece here would be a truly special experience.

Tropical Cherry Blossoms

In winter, Okinawa is also known for its early-blooming kanhizakura cherry blossoms. The best time to see them is from mid-January to early February. Unlike the pale pink somei-yoshino cherry trees on mainland Japan, these blossoms are a deep pink that stand out beautifully against stone walls and Ryukyu pines.Although the kanhizakura season was nearly over, a few cherry trees still brought us joy.

Grand Mercure Okinawa

It was time to check in, so we headed to our hotel. Today, we would be staying at the Grand Mercure Okinawa Zanpa Misaki Resort. The hotel has been beautifully renovated, and they were working on a massive new pool area during our visit. It’s not just a place to lounge—it’s going to be more like a vibrant water park with exciting attractions. Once it fully opens, it will be the perfect spot for an active and fun-filled summer vacation.

There is a spacious lounge on the lobby floor where any guest can enjoy drinks and mini snacks, including Okinawan rice crackers. They even provided beer and sparkling wine. The hospitality felt truly special, and it was the perfect place to take a break and unwind after our arrival.

Okinawa Grill Night

After settling into our new room, we relaxed until it was time for dinner. We had a reservation at a fun restaurant, Steakhouse JAM, which is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel. The chef grills your steak right in front of you—similar to Japanese teppanyaki style. Okinawa has plenty of steakhouses, but this one is decorated with a full-on ocean theme, making it an exciting and fun place to visit.

Since I can’t tolerate alcohol and had to drive back to the hotel, I ordered a non-alcoholic cocktail.  Even without alcohol, they offer drinks like this, so you can still enjoy the tropical vibes—very satisfying! Of course, children can also enjoy these tropical drinks together. Desserts are served in a separate, cozy area, which makes the experience more enjoyable.

Important Tip: For your safety

If you’re planning to drink, please use a driving substitute service (daiko) to ensure a safe trip back to your hotel. Please inquire with the restaurant in advance for more details. Also, there are accommodations near this restaurant, so I recommend staying nearby to visit on foot.

Ocean View from Our Room

The next morning, the weather cleared up a bit, allowing us to enjoy the beautiful ocean view. The colors were different from summer, and it was absolutely mesmerizing. Okinawa isn’t scorching all year round; in February, the weather is actually pleasantly cool. Still, it’s far warmer than Tokyo, which is why we often come here in winter.

We kept breakfast simple with muffins and coffee from a local bakery, Jimmy’s, and after checking out, we made our way to a nearby confectionery factory.

Visiting Local Factories

Yomitan Village is known for its purple sweet potatoes, so there are plenty of sweets made from them. In particular, it is famous for tarts made with purple sweet potatoes of this shop, Okashigoten. At the large factory, we got to watch all sorts of treats being made. We picked up a few sweets that you can’t find even at Okinawan specialty stores in Tokyo, and then made our way to the restaurant for lunch.

Enjoy Freshly Baked

Of all the sweets, the Imoimo Tart caught my eye. Made with two kinds of Okinawan sweet potatoes, it was freshly baked and sold as a limited item on site. We were told to eat it within two hours, so we dug in right away. The freshly baked tarts were crispier than the souvenir ones and absolutely delicious! It was a unique experience you can only have at the factory.

Seaside lunch

Next, we arrived at Hotel Moon Beach. This is one of Okinawa’s classic resorts, sitting on a beautiful beach. Surrounded by palm trees and other greenery, the hotel has an aged but gracefully mature feel.

The view from the seats shown on the hotel’s website looked amazing, so I asked the staff if we could sit there. They were kind enough to check the availability right away and kindly showed us to the table.

What’s on the Menu?

Being February, the main course was a hot pot, and the rest was served buffet-style that even had crab. I never expected to have crab or hot pot in Okinawa, but sitting by the ocean and indulging in all kinds of dishes and hotel-made cakes was pure bliss.

Quick Tips: Okinawan Architecture

This hotel was designed by Yukifusa Kokuba from Okinawa, who sadly passed away in 2016. He was also behind some of Okinawa’s iconic landmarks, like the Churaumi Aquarium and Naha City Hall. The vibe reminded me a bit of Hawaii. However, it is a fascinating piece of architecture that embraces nature; the massive piloti design invites natural elements inside, while the perforated walls—a common sight in Okinawa—are cleverly used to let typhoon winds pass through.

Last Night in Okinawa

We headed to DFS Galleria Okinawa to return our rental car, stopping at several scenic spots with ocean views along the way. Since the DFS offers a fantastic selection of brands from around the world, I also made sure to pick up some Bacha Coffee while I was there. The coffee brand originated in Morocco and is now based in Singapore. These days, Bacha Coffee also has stores in Tokyo, but back then, this was the only place you could get it. When I got home and opened it, I was surprised to see that the inside was all gold!

After getting home, I savored some orange-flavored coffee, which made me want to visit Singapore someday.

Yakitori Dinner

After checking in at our last hotel, we headed out to a yakitori izakaya (Japanese pub) called Kushikiyo that we had booked in advance. There are plenty of izakayas in Okinawa, but yakitori-focused spots are rare, likely due to the abundance of local Okinawan cuisine. In the photo, you can see tsukune—skewered, seasoned ground chicken grilled right on the spot. It was incredibly tender and delicious.

I mostly eat dinner at home, so I don’t go to izakayas very often since having kids. Still, freshly grilled yakitori at a restaurant is really delicious.

People usually see yakitori restaurants as spots for drinking, but they serve nutritious food. I’d love to see them evolve into family-friendly dining spots where kids and parents can enjoy dinner together, rather than just being a place for adults to have a drink.

Hotel Strata Naha

Now, let me show you the hotel where we stayed. In the morning, we headed to the restaurant and were greeted by floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a view of lush Okinawan greenery outside. The sunlight streaming through the windows and the gentle sway of the trees outside created a truly beautiful scene. The chairs and tables were charming, and the interior had a lovely, inviting atmosphere.

The rooms also had a lovely, natural atmosphere. While compact, they were ingeniously designed to feel surprisingly spacious. You can find the hotel details below for your reference.

Cozy Breakfast with Greenery

For breakfast, we chose a main dish from several options and enjoyed the rest from a buffet. The hotel uses many locally sourced ingredients from Okinawa, offering us authentic regional flavors. I particularly enjoyed trying a local vegetable called “Handama.” Its unique purple leaves are packed with nutrients, making it a truly special discovery for me.

Hotel Breakfast tip

In Japan, travelers often rank hotel breakfasts by popularity and consider them a key part of their stay. Many hotels take great pride in their morning menus, especially those featuring local flavors, which attract many guests.

Morning Stroll Among Tropical Plants

After breakfast, I wandered through the courtyard, which features a summer pool, a relaxing seating area. It is not a massive resort, but the hotel is truly wonderful. Although Naha is the most urban part of Okinawa, it’s wonderful to be able to enjoy a short stroll or a relaxing break surrounded by tropical greenery right after breakfast.

 

 

Tradition Meets Fine Dining

There is also a restaurant, MOSS okinawa. The restaurant featured a roof of traditional Okinawan red tiles. This restaurant is perfect for special occasions, with dishes that make the most of local ingredients and flavors. The tiles are said to be red because Okinawa’s soil is rich in iron. In Okinawa, where typhoons are common, the tiles are fixed in place with plaster. Surrounded by banyan trees and other greenery, the roof looked especially striking.

After a relaxing stay

It was time for us to check out and head to the airport, marking the end of our warm winter getaway. This hotel is located right next to a Yui Rail station, making it very easy to get to the airport.

In this photo, you can see Hotel Strata and the leaves of a royal poinciana tree. Tokyo rarely shows this tree, but Naha officially celebrates it as the city tree. In summer, it blooms with vibrant red flowers.

Yui Rail

This is Yui Rail, Okinawa’s only monorail. Yui Rail opened in 2003, and before then, Okinawa had no train system. Over time, the line has expanded, providing a reliable and convenient way to get around Naha, a car-oriented city where traffic often clogs the streets.

On board, you hear Okinawan folk music whenever the train stops at a station—a small detail, but very cute and full of local character.

The Charm of Okinawa

Naha City may be a busy urban area, but it’s wonderful how pockets of tropical nature and tradition are still preserved here and there. With its mix of beautiful nature, resort life, culture, and shopping, Okinawa is a beloved destination. It might be smaller than some international resorts, but its multi-faceted charm is why it remains so popular in Japan. I’d love to visit Okinawa again and just relax!

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Information

Information, prices and exchange rates are current as of my visit but may change. Please check official sites.

The Naha Terrace

Living Room Maroad
Cake set
– ¥1,300 (approx. $8.3 / €7.1)
Access
– About 20 minutes by car from the airport
Accommodation
Located in the heart of bustling Naha, the hotel maintains a calm, sophisticated atmosphere, making a relaxing stay possible. Check current prices and availability on Booking.com or Expedia.

Okinawa soba

– English menu available
– ¥800 (approx. $5.1 / €4.3)
– Minoya

Tacos

1 piece
– ¥300 (approx. $1.9 / €1.6)
– Pizza House Jr. (Japanese only)
– Pizza House English website

Zakimi Castle

Admission Fee
– Free
– Google Maps

Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort

Access
– Google Maps
– About 70 minutes by car from the Airport
– Limousine bus (B Area) from Airport
This hotel features a vibrant water park, making it the ultimate spot for an active summer vacation. Check current prices and availability on Booking.com or Expedia.

Steakhouse JAM

Tenderloin Course (150g)
– ¥4,600 (approx. $29.4 / €25.0)
Tropical juice
– ¥700 (approx. $4.5 / €3.8)
– Google Maps

Imoimo Tart

1 piece
– ¥150 (approx. $1.0 / €0.8)
– Okashigoten

THE MOON BEACH MUSEUM RESORT

All Day Dining Corallo
Buffet Lunch
– ¥3,500 (approx. $22.3 / €19.0)
Access
– Google Maps
– About 45 minutes by car from the airport via highway
– Limousine bus (C or CD Area) from Airport
Accommodation
This historic oceanfront hotel is surrounded by lush palm trees and offers a unique stay in an artistic architectural masterpiece. Check current prices and availability on Booking.com or Expedia.

Yakitori

Yakitori Tsukune
– ¥280 (approx. $1.8 / €1.5)
Access
– About 390 ft (120 m) from Miebashi Station
– Reservations are recommended
– Kushikiyo

Hotel Strata Naha

Access
– About 360 ft (110 m) from Miebashi Station
– About 15 minutes by car from the airport
A modern, compact hotel steps from the monorail station, offering a quiet and peaceful stay. Check current prices and availability on Booking.com or Expedia.
–Moss Okinawa English website

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