Best time to visit · Okinawa · Japan
The best time to visit Okinawa
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
For beaches, the best months are April and late June to early July (before the summer peak) and October, when the sea is warm and the weather settled. July and August are hottest and busiest, and August–September carries the highest typhoon risk. November to March is mild and cheap, ideal for sightseeing and whale watching, but usually too cool for long swims.
Key facts
- Best months
- April, June–July and October
- Shoulder season
- March, May, September and November
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 32°C (90°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 20°C (68°F))
- Rainiest month
- June (~12 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- November–February
Seasons
Okinawa has a humid subtropical climate: mild winters with daytime highs around 20°C, a rainy season from about early May to late June, and long, hot, humid summers with typhoon risk from July to October, peaking in August and September.
March–May
Spring
Warm, sunny days, beaches opening and Golden Week crowds; the rainy season usually begins in May.
June–August
Summer
Rain clears by late June, then hot, humid weather with the warmest sea, peak prices and a rising typhoon risk.
September–November
Autumn
Warm sea and festivals, with typhoons in September giving way to settled, pleasant days in October and November.
December–February
Winter
Mild days around 20°C, cherry blossom in the north, whale watching and the lowest prices; windy and too cool for most swimmers.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C | 15°C | 11 | 21°C | 10.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 20°C | 15°C | 10 | 21°C | 11.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 22°C | 17°C | 11 | 22°C | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 24°C | 19°C | 10 | 23°C | 12.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 27°C | 22°C | 11 | 25°C | 13.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 29°C | 25°C | 12 | 27°C | 13.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 32°C | 27°C | 9 | 29°C | 13.6 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 32°C | 27°C | 12 | 29°C | 13.1 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 31°C | 26°C | 11 | 28°C | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 28°C | 24°C | 8 | 27°C | 11.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 25°C | 21°C | 8 | 25°C | 10.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 22°C | 17°C | 9 | 23°C | 10.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Motobu Yaedake and Nago cherry blossom festivals (usually late January to early February); Whale-watching season in the Kerama Islands (about January–March) |
| February | Professional baseball spring training camps (February) |
| March | Beach opening ceremonies (usually late March to April) |
| April | Golden Week holidays begin (late April) |
| May | Naha Hārī dragon-boat races (usually early May); Rainy season begins (usually early to mid-May) |
| June | Okinawa Memorial Day — ceremonies at the Peace Memorial Park (23 June) |
| July | Summer holidays — peak domestic travel (late July onwards) |
| August | Eisa drum dances in neighbourhoods around the lunar Obon (August or September) |
| September | Okinawa Zento Eisa Festival in Okinawa City (usually late summer, after the lunar Obon) |
| October | Naha Great Tug-of-War — one of the world's largest rice-straw ropes (usually October); Ryukyu Kingdom Festival / Shuri Castle Festival (usually autumn) |
| December | NAHA Marathon (usually early December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in November–February, and the sights are quietest in November–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Okinawa?
For beaches, the best months are April and late June to early July (before the summer peak) and October, when the sea is warm and the weather settled. July and August are hottest and busiest, and August–September carries the highest typhoon risk. November to March is mild and cheap, ideal for sightseeing and whale watching, but usually too cool for long swims.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Okinawa?
Usually in November–February. Mild and often cloudy and windy, too cool for most swimmers; good for sightseeing, whale watching off the Keramas and the first cherry blossom in the north late in the month.
+What is the rainiest month in Okinawa?
June, with about 12 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Okinawa get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows of 27°C (81°F).