I try not to blame other people for my bad travel decisions, just like I don’t give them too much credit for my good ones. At the end of the day, I’m the one who pulls the trigger.
Indeed, when a good friend of mine spoke many years ago about a surprisingly warm winter trip to Okinawa, I should’ve been more skeptical. This person is wonderful and an intrepid traveler in their own right; they’re also not especially knowledgeable about Japan, and had no frame of reference for their characterization.
I’m here to give you the tough love I wish I’d had. Namely, that you should only visit Okinawa in winter if you’re comfortable with the possibility of the worst-case scenario (which—trust me—is very, very bad).
My Okinawa Winter Trip Wasn’t What I Expected
As I described at the time in an essay on my other website, the Okinawa winter left a lot to be desired. On the plus side, the species of cherry blossoms that blooms in Okinawa (which, I should note, are different from the somei yoshino that are common on Japan’s main islands) were in full bloom during the entirety of my trip there, which took place during the “kiss” between January and February.
On the minus side…well, where do I begin? Although it had been sunny and relatively mild in Naha when I landed, it started raining a few hours into my trip and never stopped. It was so frigid at times (particularly when I was near the water) that I actually wondered whether I was in Okinawa at all. Certainly, I wasn’t swimming or snorkeling, like the friend I mentioned in the intro claimed she’d done there at more or less the same time of year.
5 Things to Know About Visiting Okinawa in Winter
It can be extremely cold
If you’re under the impression that you’ll be sunning yourself on the beach in Okinawa in January or February, allow me to pour cold water on you. And I do mean cold. I know from personal experience–I have the screenshots of my “Weather” app—that Okinawa can be near-freezing in winter, even during the middle of the day.
(And rainy)
I mean water, too! In fact, with the exception of my first few hours in Naha at Shuri Castle (before it was burned down), my experience of winter in Okinawa was completely wet. Sometimes it was a drizzle; other times it was a downpour; but there was always a persistent, thick quilt of clouds over the entire scene.
There might be cherry blossoms
The only silver lining of these clouds was the fact that Okinawa’s local sakura (a species known as hikanzakura or Ryukyu kanhizakura) were at full bloom the entire time I was there. However, this is only realiably the case in late January and early February, so be mindful about when you visit if you do.
Okinawan cuisine is warming
Another potentially bright spot of your Okinawa winter itinerary? From classics like Okinawa-no-soba and taco rice to more obscure dishes, Okinawan cuisine is decidedly warming. In fact, during summer trips, I often feel unable to eat very much because of this fact.
You might want to rent a car
On almost all my trips to Okinawa, from Ishigaki to Miyako, I have rented cars. However, when I visited Okinawa in winter, I made the mistake of not doing so. Okinawa’s public transportation is questionable at any time of year; waiting for the bus when it’s cold and rainy is especially miserable, even if renting a car in Japan can be, too.
When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Okinawa?
Okinawa is a tricky destination because, as I know first-hand, the winter isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. On the other hand, the rest of the year can also be rainy (if not cold), particularly in months like September and October, when typhoons are common. I’ve had luck visiting Okinawa’s islands in May; I have Japanese friends that swear instead on visiting in July or August.
So, what’s the answer? While I would avoid an Okinawa winter trip if you can help it (or unless you absolutely have to see sakura here), the best strategy is to integrate Okinawa into whatever trip you’re taking in the most harmonious way possible. You say you’re flying to Japan only to visit Okinawa? Well, let’s just say I hope you’re coming from elsewhere in Asia (otherwise that’s a long journey to make for beaches, even very beautiful ones).
Other FAQ About Visiting Okinawa in Winter
Is it worth visiting Okinawa in winter?
If you get very lucky with the weather, Okinawa can be a pleasant destination to visit in the winter. This is also the case if you come in late January or early February, when the archipelago’s cherry blossom species is in bloom. On the other hand, I know from personal experience that Okinawa can be downright cold and miserable in winter, so I recommend treading carefully.
Is Okinawa cold in winter?
Okinawa isn’t always cold in winter, but it can be. When I visited for a few days in January and February, daytime temperatures were not high above freezing, a sad fact that unrelenting clouds and constant rain made impossible to ignore. It was honestly one of the most miserable trips I’ve ever taken in Japan, weather-wise.
Is it a good time to visit Okinawa in January?
January is not a good time to visit Okinawa if you want to go to the beach—or, god forbid, snorkel. It may be a good time for indoor sightseeing, for a foodie trip or, if you visit in late January, to see Okinawa’s local cherry blossoms.
The Bottom Line
I won’t lie to you: Okinawa in winter was an absolute nightmare for me. While it’s true that I was especially unlucky, with near-freezing temperatures and constant rain for all but a few hours of my trip, it revealed just how miserable Okinawa can be in the wintertime. And I think, if you plan to go in the winter, you should be prepared for this possibility. Certainly, you shouldn’t be expecting to swim or snorkel, or even to be able to walk outside without a jacket or umbrella. Need personalized help assembling your Okinawa trip? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
