Things To Do In Okinawa, Japan: Holiday Edition
The most wonderful time of the year is getting closer and closer. (YAY!) The weather started cooling down here around mid October and I literally haven’t been able to shut up about it, mostly because I missed the amazing cold weather last year.
Anyways… the holiday season is always hard when you live overseas, but as long as you have your own little family and/or some friends you can make the best of it! There are several ways to embrace the festive spirit and help you celebrate the holidays while abroad, try hosting a dinner, travel somewhere new, share your holiday traditions with your new friends/co-workers and of course celebrate like the locals do.
This year I wanted to compile a list of fun “christmasy” things to do in Okinawa, to get you in the holiday spirit, as well as experience some special Japanese celebrations! Enjoy and feel free to let me know of any other holiday activities!
Southeast Botanical Gardens Illumination
Dates: October 28th, 2022 – May 28th, 2023.
Hours: 5:00pm – 10:00pm (Last admission 9:00pm )
Admission Fee: Adults (18 years or older) – ¥1,980
Junior (13 years old – 17 years old) – ¥1,200
Child (4 – 12 years old) – ¥680
Children under 3 – Free
Location: Southeast Botanical Gardens
Address: 2146 Chibana, Okinawa-shi, Okinawa 904-2143
Website
Itoman Peaceful Illumination
Dates: December 17th, 2022 – January 30, 2023.
Hours: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Admission Fee: ¥1,000 (High School Students and older)
Free (Junior High School and younger)
Location: Uchina Farm
Address: 1018, Mabuni, Itoman-shi, Okinawa 901-0333
Website
American Village Christmas Illumination
Dates: No official dates, but the lights are already up!
Admission Fee: Free
Location: Mihama American Village
Address: Mihama, Nakagami-gun, Chatan-cho, Okinawa 904-0115
Don’t miss the blogpost: Christmas Wonderland at Mihama Americal Village
“Stardust Fantasia” at Kanucha Resort
Dates: November 1st, 2022 – February 14th, 2023
Hours: 6:00pm – 11:00pm (Admission 5:50pm-10:30pm)
Admission Fee: Tickets need to be purchased in advanced, here.
I believe the fee is ¥3,000 per car.
Location: Kanucha Resort
Address: 156-2 Abu, Nago-city, Okinawa 905-2263
Website
“Christmas Fantasy” at Okinawa Zoo & Museum
Dates: December 10th, 2022 – January 9th, 2023
Hours: 4:30pm – 9:30pm
Admission Fee: Advance Tickets – ¥2,100 (Adult) / ¥1,400 (4 yr old – 15 yr old)
Same Day Tickets – ¥2,400 (Adult) / ¥1,400 (4 yr old – 15 yr old)
Children under 3 – Free
*20% off discount ticket if you have proof of COVID vaccination (3 shots)
Location: Okinawa Zoo & Museum
Address: 5-7-1, Goya,
Website
Christmas Illumination at Hotel Nikko Alivia
Dates: November 1st, 2022 – February 28th, 2023.
Hours: Sunset – 11pm
Location: Hotel Nikko Alivia
Address: 600 Gima, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun 904-0393, Okinawa Prefecture
Ryukyu Lantern Festival at Murasaki Mura
Dates: December 2nd, 2022 – March 26th, 2023
Hours: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Admission Fee: Adults – ¥600
Junior + High School Students – ¥500
Elementary School Students – ¥400
Location: Murasaki Mura
Address: 1020-1 Takashiho, Yomitan Village, Okinawa 904-0323
*Starts at dusk
Don’t miss the blogpost: Murasaki Mura Ryukyu Lantern Festival
Skate at Southern Hills Ice Rink
If you’re missing the idea of a white christmas or are looking for something to do indoors, be sure to check out the only ice rink in Okinawa! Don’t forget to bring a warm sweater/jacket and some gloves!
Hours: Monday – Friday / 11:00 – 8:00
Saturday – Sunday / 10:00 – 8:00
Admission Fee: Adult – ¥1,800 (rental included)
More information
Address: 460-1 Miyahira, Haebaru, Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture 901-1104
Payment: Yen only
Eat a traditional Christmas Cake
“The dessert is a type of sponge cake, covered with snow-white whipped cream and topped with perfectly shaped, ruby red strawberries. It’s a beloved December-time treat – and not just because it’s delicious. In fact, Christmas cake is now a symbol of commercialism and prosperity, its story intertwined with Japan’s rise from ruins after its defeat in World War II”. Read more on NPR! You can also try baking your own, check out this video.
Location: Any Japanese bakery!
KFC on Christmas Day
Have you heard of this crazy Japanese tradition? If not, read this Smithsonian article and check out this Buzzfeed article. It all started with a 1974 commercial and the rest is history!! We still haven’t partaken in this awesome Japanese experience, but we’re hoping to do it this year! If you decide to eat fried chicken on Christmas day, don’t forget to take a picture with Coronel Sanders dressed as Santa Claus!
Location: your closest KFC
Dates: December 22-25, 2018
Christmas 2022 Menu
First sunrise of the New Year
“In Japan, sunrise on New Year’s Day is believed to have special supernatural powers, and praying to the first sunrise of the year has become a popular practice since the Meiji era (1868–1912)” (source). There are a lot of popular places to experience the first sunrise of the year, like some of the castle ruins and any beach on the east coast of Okinawa. We saw the first sunrise of 2015 at the Nakagusuku Castle Ruins, because it’s perched on a high mountain in the middle of Okinawa and it has an amazing view of both coasts. This year we went to see it at the Katsuren Castle Ruins in Uruma.
*Tip: Be sure to check the time of the sunrise, arrive early and dress in warm clothes! We almost froze to death!!
Don’t miss my post: 2018 First Sunrise + Shuri Castle Festival
Shrine Visit for New Years
The most important Japanese tradition of the holiday season is Hatsumoude, the first Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple visit of the year; it can be either on New Years Day or during the first few days of the year. Wishes of good fortune, health and happiness for the New Year are made. The most popular shrines in Okinawa are the Futenma Shrine and the Naminoue Shrine in Naha. If you plan on visiting this coming New Years, please note that there will be long lines, but the experience is totally worth it!
Shurijo Castle Park New Year’s Banquet
A re-enactment of the traditional New Year ceremony originally held early in the morning on New Year’s Day. Activities include the performances of court and other Ryukyu dancers. Free Awamori (Okinawan liquor) offered to celebrate the New Year.
Dates: Haven’t found 2023 dates yet so I will update when I find them!
(the ceremony only happens on the 1st and 2nd, but there are still activities on the 3rd)
Hours: 8:30am – 5:00 pm
Admission Fees: Adult – ¥820
High School Students – ¥620
Children – ¥310
Location: 1 Chome-2 Shurikinjocho, Naha, Okinawa Prefecture 903-0815
Contact: 098-886-2020
Website
Don’t miss my post: 2018 First Sunrise + Shuri Castle Festival
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I wanted to add another activity to the list, it’s not really Christmas related and it already passed but wanted to leave the information so that I can update it earlier next year!
Uruma Shimadakara Art Festival
Dates: November 25th – December 4th
Hours: 10am – 5pm
Admission Fee: ¥500
Location: Yokatsu Islands (Henza Island, Hamahiga Island, Miyagi Island, Ikei Island)
Address: HAMACHŪ (Former Hama Junior High School)
19 Katsurenhama, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture
Website
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments and I’ll add your suggestions to my list!
Happy Oki Holidays everyone!!
Be sure you check out my 101 Things To Do In Okinawa, Japan list!