How To Survive Summer in Okinawa

Summer in Okinawa can be amazing. The color of the water becomes alive with the sparkling reflection of the sun, the fish are more vibrantly colored, and the sun is that much stronger. While many of us want to be beach bums or bunnies, we have to keep in mind Okinawa is closer to the equator. Hotter sun equals more skin damage. Let’s beat the heat, look cool while doing it and survive summer in Okinawa. 

As someone who staycationed on this island paradise for three years, I learned how to beat the heat. I know what to do, what to use, and how to stay as cool as I possibly can. Follow this advice during an Okinawan summer and you’ll be golden.

Featured Okinawa Itineraries & Tips

• The Ultimate Okinawa Travel Guide – If you’re trying to figure out the best things to do on this gorgeous island and how to travel easily, then you need to check out this guide.
• The Ultimate Tokashiki Guide – Tokashiki is my all time most FAVORITE island destination on Okinawa. Located an hour ferry ride from Naha, you can miss snorkeling with sea turtles on her natural beaches.
• The Ultimate Ishigaki Guide – (Coming Soon)
• How To Survive Summer in Okinawa – If you’re traveling during the summer… I shit you not, Okinawa is super brutal. These are tips from me as a local on how I survived the summers in Okinawa. 
• How To Prepare for Typhoons in Japan – Typhoons happen… And they happen quite freuquently on Okinawa. When you experience one for the first time, you may feel like the world is ending. Fret not, read this post on tips for how to prepare and chillax.
• Southeast Botanical Gardens in Okinawa – This is one of the coolest places you can go. With tons of beautiful nature and an organic restaurant, you’re bound to feel at peace. You can also play with capybaras and squirrel monkeys. 
• Alluring Sakura Spots in Okinawa – If you’re visiting Okinawa in January, then lucky you! It’s the first prefecture in the county to get cherry blossoms! These are the top picks from myself and other bloggers who have lived on the island.

1. Wear Sunscreen

You’re probably thinking, “Yeah, duh,” but the amount of burnt foreigners I see is large. We go out wanting that amazing tan, but come back redder than a lobster. Trust me, your skin will still tan with the sunscreen and it won’t be as painful. My favorite sunscreen hands down is the Earth’s Recipe Waterful Sun Gel. Since it’s water based, I don’t break out and it really protects my skin.

In my opinion, the sun in Okinawa is the strongest out of any place I’ve been in the world. I implore you to never go out between 12pm-3pm because of how tough the sun can be on you and your skin.

2. Invest in Sweat Towels & Fans

Thanks to the local Daiso, you can buy a plethora of cute towels and fans that easily go into any pocket or handbag. Or if you like to come prepared I have a hand fan similar to this one on Amazon. Do you ever wonder why Japanese people don’t sweat? That’s why. They’re constantly wiping the sweat off their faces.

3. Escape to an Island

You may be thinking… Gina, but wait. Isn’t Okinawa one giant island. Yes, but I think it’s really nice to escape to an outer island of Okinawa. My favorite island is Tokashiki and you can check out the my ultimate guide on Tokashiki here.

If you don’t feel like doing Tokashiki, I also recommend going to the Chibishi Islands for a snorkel trip or going diving in the Keramas.

4. Cotton Everything

It’s inevitable. You will sweat. You’ll sweat standing without even doing anything. If you buy loose cotton clothes, you’ll still feel sweaty and sticky but not as bad with tighter clothes. Also, make sure your shorts are mostly cotton. I’ve had a few nasty chaffing incidents because they weren’t. For the best clothing to keep your cool, I recommend the Uniqlo Airsim series for maximum comfort.

5. Escape To Rycom Mall

Are you sold at a giant mall with cool activities, lots of shopping, and yummy places to eat? Yeah, me too. There’s no better way to beat the heat than to go to Rycom Mall and just spend a pleasant early afternoon until you can head to the beach.

6. Buy the Cool Wipes

Also sold at the amazing Daiso (and convenience stores), these Gatsby cool wipes are awesome for beating the heat. Some of them even have baby powder so that way you don’t smell. They make you feel fresh once you wipe your body with them. These wipes come in packages for the body and face, so make sure you check the packaging. Be careful not to wipe your face with the body cool wipes because that can sting.

7. Invest in Good Car A/C

A summer here can be downright miserable without it. That cold air blowing can be a godsend after a hot day anywhere without it. I can also tell you, I speak from experience that it is not fun to get in a hot car and then have hot air blown in your face. I recommend renting a car when you travel in Okinawa to make sure you’re always cool.

8. Keep Hydrated

Okinawa’s humid climate takes a lot of your body. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water. I’ve seen people pass out from dehydration and heat stroke. It’s not fun and you’ll feel like shit. I recommend trying Shikwasa juice because it’s a special sour lemon you can only get on the Okinawan Island.

9. Go to the Hedgehog Home & Cafe

I don’t know about you, but a cafe full of cute little rats that can prick you sounds like a mighty fun idea to me! You can feed these cute hedgies at the NahaHedgehog Home and Cafe will dining unlimited cold beverages.

10. Take a Cooking Class

Does living a long life sound appealing and attractive to you? As you know, the Okinawa diet is one of the healthiest in the world and many are centurions. Why not sit inside an air conditioned kitchen by taking a traditional cooking class? Here, you’ll learn how to make Okinawa’s power foods and add a few more years to your life. 😉

11. Have Fun at Round One

This is legit one of my favorite and coolest experiences in Okinawa. I’ve been on dates and hung out with friends here. Basically, this is a giant Japanese arcade with several floors to keep you entertained for hours on end. It’s air conditioned, it’s fun, and it’s an unforgettable experience. For more information, check out Okinawa Hai’s review here.

I hope these tips can help keep you cool and refreshed during your stay on Okinawa. This small island is seriously one of my favorite places to travel and I hope you will love it too.

This post contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I make a small commission to help keep Gina Bear’s Blog running. Thanks for your support!

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