Month guide · Okinawa · Japan
Okinawa in September
What September is really like in Okinawa: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ChiefHira, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
September is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 31°C (88°F), lows of 26°C (79°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 12.3 hours of daylight. Still hot with a warm sea, quieter after school holidays, but the most typhoon-prone month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 31°C (88°F) / 26°C (79°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in September
September is the 3rd-warmest month in Okinawa: days average 31°C (88°F) against a yearly average high of 26°C (79°F), and nights fall to about 26°C (79°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 30 days. Compared with August (32°C (90°F)), September is about as warm; by October highs drop to around 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 06:15
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 18:34
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F)
Autumn (September–November). Warm sea and festivals, with typhoons in September giving way to settled, pleasant days in October and November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, September rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in September
- Okinawa Zento Eisa Festival in Okinawa City (usually late summer, after the lunar Obon)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in September
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Castle · Naha (Kokusai-dori)
Shuri Castle
Ride the Yui Rail to Shuri station and walk up through Shureimon gate, then continue down the Kinjo-cho stone-paved path.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Street · Naha (Kokusai-dori)
Kokusai-dori
Naha's main street runs for about 1.6 km past souvenir shops, awamori bars, Okinawan restaurants and live-music venues.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- After dark
- Free
Street · Naha (Kokusai-dori)
Tsuboya Yachimun Street
Look for the old Arayachi climbing kiln along the lane, and buy shisa figurines direct from the workshops.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- History
- Art
- Free
Historic site · Nanjo and the south
Okinawa Peace Memorial Park
On the cliffs at Mabuni, where the Battle of Okinawa ended in 1945, the Cornerstone of Peace lists the names of more than 240,000 people of all nationalities who died in the battle.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Views
The sea averages 28°C (82°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Okinawa.
What to pack
For highs near 31°C, lows near 26°C and 11 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September a good time to visit Okinawa?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April, June–July and October are better overall. Compare every month.
Okinawa in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is September a good time to visit Okinawa?
It is a shoulder-season month. Still hot with a warm sea, quieter after school holidays, but the most typhoon-prone month.
+How warm is Okinawa in September?
Average highs are around 31°C (88°F) and lows around 26°C (79°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Okinawa in September?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.