Season guide · Okinawa · Japan
Okinawa in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: そらみみ, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Warm, sunny days, beaches opening and Golden Week crowds; the rainy season usually begins in May. Expect highs up to 27°C (81°F) and lows around 17°C (63°F), with about 32 rainy days across March–May. April is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 17°C (63°F) to 27°C (81°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 32
- Sea
- 22°C (72°F) to 25°C (77°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 22°C (72°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 11 | 11.9 h | 3/5 |
| April | 24°C (75°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 | 12.8 h | 3/5 |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 | 13.4 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 24°C (75°F) against a yearly 26°C (79°F), and 32 of the year's roughly 122 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- 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)
- May: Rainy season begins (usually early to mid-May)
Good choices for spring
Aquarium · Motobu Peninsula
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
The aquarium's centrepiece is the Kuroshio Sea tank, holding about 7,500 cubic metres of water, in which whale sharks and manta rays swim behind one of the world's largest acrylic panels.
- Time needed
- Half a day with the park
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- Rainy day
Market · Naha (Kokusai-dori)
Daiichi Makishi Public Market
Ask the fishmonger to recommend a cooking style and which upstairs restaurant to use before you buy.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Museum · Nanjo and the south
Himeyuri Peace Museum
This museum tells the story of the Himeyuri students, schoolgirls mobilised as nurses during the Battle of Okinawa, many of whom died in the caves of the south.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Theme park · Nanjo and the south
Okinawa World and Gyokusendo Cave
Do the cave first while you are fresh; it is cool and humid inside, a good choice on a rainy day.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Day trips in spring
- Kerama Islands (About 35–50 minutes by high-speed ferry) — Tokashiki and Zamami have white-sand beaches such as Aharen and Furuzamami, with coral and sea turtles close to shore.
- Yanbaru and Cape Hedo (About 2–2.5 hours by car) — The forested north of the island is a UNESCO-listed national park, home to the rare Okinawa rail.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Okinawa?
Yes: April is among the best months. Warm, sunny days, beaches opening and Golden Week crowds; the rainy season usually begins in May.
+What is the weather like in Okinawa in spring?
Highs of up to 27°C (81°F) and lows around 17°C (63°F), with about 32 rainy days over the season.