SeasonScore
Okinawa, Japan
Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5

Japan

Okinawa in May

🌧️ Rainy season

Pleasant, humid and often rainy.

🎒 Pack: compact umbrella or rain jacket · quick-dry fabrics

Best months: Mar (9.2), Nov (9.1), Feb (9.0)

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Why May scores 8.1What goes into the score

How it works
🌡️ 25° / 24°C🌧️ 211 mm💧 dew pt 22°🍃 PM2.5 13
  • Weather comfort7.1
    • ✓Comfortable temperatures (25.4°C highs / 24°C lows)
    • !Very humid/sticky (dew point 22.2°C)
    • !Wet: ~211 mm rain, ~7 heavy-rain days
  • Air quality8.7
    • ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~13 µg/m³)
  • Seasonal hazards9.5
    • !Flood: ~7 heavy-rain days in an average May
  • Safety baseline9.0
    • ·Normal precautions
Compare monthsPut May side by side with another month
MayMar
Score8.1 Very good9.2 Excellent
Season🌧️ Rainy season☀️ Dry season
High / low25° / 24°21° / 19°
Rain211 mm72 mm
Humiditydew pt 22°dew pt 16°
PM2.513 µg/m³10 µg/m³

Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast).

Holidays & crowdsMay 2027

Holiday week

A long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.

  • Golden Week 1–5 May · 5 days off in a row

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)2026 actual
    First 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)Typical dates
    First 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 locally

Japan's southernmost prefecture, a chain of subtropical islands with coral reefs, beaches, a distinct Ryukyu culture and important Second World War sites.

Events in May
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

Coming up later

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

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