[3] On November 18 1941, Urakaze arrived at Hitokappu Bay for an unknown mission, and on the 22nd departed to escort the Kido Butai aircraft carrier force.

On March 7, Urakaze bombarded Christmas Island, before escorting the Kido Butai during the Indian Ocean Raid, and at the end of April being docked for refit in Kure.

[4] On Christmas day 1943, Urakaze assisted the damaged destroyer Uzuki and the transport ship Nankai Maru, then saw more troop transport and convoy escorting missions during the final months of the Guadalcanal campaign, and at the start of February 1943 took part in the evacuation of Guadalcanal, then assisted the damaged destroyer Harusame.

On November 11, Urakaze took minor strafing damage during an air raid on Rabaul, then escorted the crippled light cruiser Agano to Truk.

Urakaze operated in a destroyer line that consisted of herself, Yukikaze, Isokaze, and Nowaki led by the light cruiser Yahagi.

Air and surface attacks sank three heavy cruisers and caused Kurita to lose his nerve and retreat from the battle.

Three days later, Urakaze was still underway when the fleet was detected by the submarine USS Sealion, which fired six torpedoes, three of which hit their intended target and sank the battleship Kongō.

She immediately exploded and sank with all hands, including Commander Destroyer Division 17, Captain Tamotsu Tanii.