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Japan
Okinawa in January
☀️ Dry seasonPleasant and some showers.
Why January scores 8.8What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort8.1
- ✓Comfortable temperatures (20.3°C highs / 18.3°C lows)
- ✓Slightly humid (dew point 14.6°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~64 mm rain)
- !Grey, overcast skies (~87% cloud cover on average)
- Air quality9.0
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~11 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Jan | Mar | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.8 Excellent | 9.2 Excellent |
| Season | ☀️ Dry season | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 20° / 18° | 21° / 19° |
| Rain | 64 mm | 72 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 15° | dew pt 16° |
| PM2.5 | 11 µg/m³ | 10 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast).
Holidays & crowdsJanuary 2027
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- New Year 1–3 Jan · 3 days off in a row
- Coming of Age Day 9–11 Jan · 3 days off in a row
- Year-end & New Year break 29 Dec – 3 Jan
Most businesses and some attractions close; trains and flights are busy around the start and end. Source: Japan National Tourism Organization
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Okinawa
- Cherry blossom 2026 (what actually happened)In January2026 actualFirst blooms 18 Jan 2026, full bloom 3 Feb 2026
Observed by JMA at the city's official sample tree. The 2027 forecast isn't out yet: Japanese weather companies such as the Japan Weather Association usually publish the first one in January, and we add it then.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
- Cherry blossom (hikan-zakura)In JanuaryTypical datesFirst blooms ~16 Jan, full bloom ~4 Feb
Typical dates (1991–2020 normal). In 2021–2026 first blooms came between 4 Jan and 18 Jan (18 Jan in 2026). Blossoms last about a week after full bloom. Okinawa's deep-pink Taiwan cherry flowers in winter.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
Explore OkinawaEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyJapan's southernmost prefecture, a chain of subtropical islands with coral reefs, beaches, a distinct Ryukyu culture and important Second World War sites.
Cherry blossom seasonDate variesUsually late January to mid-February
Japan's earliest cherry blossoms, with deep pink Kanhizakura trees.
Why go: Blossoms come weeks before mainland Japan.
Where: Nago Castle Park and Yaedake
Humpback whale seasonDate variesUsually January to March
Humpback whales come to Okinawan waters to breed.
Why go: Whale-watching tours run from Naha.
Where: Kerama Islands and waters off Naha
Coming up later
Naha HaariiDate variesUsually early May, during Golden Week
Traditional dragon boat races praying for safety and good catches.
Why go: Coincides with Japanese holidays, so flights are busy.
Where: Naha Port
Okinawa Zento Eisa FestivalDate variesUsually late August or September, after Obon
A large festival of Eisa drum dancing.
Why go: One of the best places to see Eisa performed.
Where: Okinawa City
Naha Great Tug-of-WarDate variesUsually a Sunday in October
A tug-of-war with a giant rice-straw rope in which spectators can join.
Why go: Roads in central Naha close for the event.
Where: Kumoji, Naha
Shuri Castle
The former royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom in Naha, being rebuilt after a 2019 fire.
💡 Restoration work is ongoing; parts of the grounds remain open.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
A large aquarium in the north whose main tank holds whale sharks and manta rays.
Kokusai-dōri and Makishi Public Market
Naha's main shopping street and a market where fish bought downstairs is cooked upstairs.
Kerama Islands
Islands west of Naha with clear water, coral reefs and sea turtles, reached by ferry.
💡 Humpback whales can be seen around the islands in winter.
Okinawa Peace Memorial Park
A memorial and museum at the site of the final fighting of the Battle of Okinawa.
Nakijin Castle ruins
Curving stone castle walls on a hilltop, part of the Ryukyu World Heritage sites.
Gōyā champurū
A stir-fry of bitter melon, tofu, egg and pork.
Okinawa soba
Thick wheat noodles in broth topped with simmered pork.
Rafute
Pork belly braised in awamori, soy sauce and brown sugar.
Umibudō
Sea grapes, a seaweed with small bubble-like pods.
Taco rice
Taco fillings served over rice, created near US bases.
Awamori
Okinawa's distilled rice spirit.
Beni-imo tarts
Tarts made with purple sweet potato.
Ryukyu glass
Colourful hand-blown glass, originally made from recycled bottles.
Shīsā figures
Lion-dog guardian figures placed in pairs on roofs and gates.
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
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