Okinawa Weather in January

Season: Winter

Overview:
1. Okinawa January weather is cool and dry in general, with a huge day-and-night temperature gap.
2. It’s not suitable for seawater activities because of cold water temperatures.
3. Travel highlights involve in sakura blossom admiration and whales watching.

Sakura View

Cool Temperatures Overall

January is one of the coldest months in Okinawa, with average temperature ranging from 15-20°C (59-68°F). Said that, it is still much warmer than Tokyo, where is only 3-10°C (37-50°F) on average, making it a nice place to survive the cold winter in Japan. Also thanks to this gentle climate, Okinawa’s Sakura blossoms start to bloom as early as in mid-January, and Okinawa is known as the first place in Japan to welcome sakura.

On sunny times, you would feel pleasantly warm, with highest temperatures reaching around 18-20 degrees Celsius (64-68 degrees Fahrenheit). In contrast, when the sun is absent, the perceived temperature is much cooler. The lowest temperature may drop below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) when it’s cloudy or rainy. By the coast, these winds can be much stronger, making the air noticeably chillier.

Plus, the weather changes frequently throughout the day, and the temperature gap between daytime and nighttime can be huge.

Can You Swim in the Ocean in Okinawa in January?

No, it’s not suitable to swim in the ocean yet. The sea water temperature averages about 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit), which is too chilly for swimming. But it’s still ok for diving in Okinawa in January if you put on a thick wetsuit to stay warm.

Lovely Sunny Day

Relatively Low Rainfall

January tends to be one of the driest months in Okinawa, receiving about 107 mm of rain, roughly from over ten days. Rainfalls are usually light but can occasionally be heavy, often accompanied by strong winds.

Although the meteorological forecast shows there will rainy, don’t be disappointed too much. It hardly rains all day long in Okinawa and the sky often clears up at any time. It’s highly recommended to visit popular scenic spots like Shuri Castle, Namioue Shrine and Cape Zampa after rain when they look more beautiful under a clear sky.

Magnificent Beach View

Crisp Air

Influenced by low rainfall in January, Okinawa enjoys a crisp and fresh air, with the average humidity level reaching about 65 %, which is suitable for outdoor explorations.

Sunshine Hours & Daytime Hours

Sunshine Hours: about 3 hours
Sunrise: 7:13-7:17
Sunset: 17:47-18:09
Daytime Hours: 10 hours 31 minutes - 10 hours 56 minutes

Despite of low rainfall in January, Okinawa undergoes limited sunshine hours due to frequent cloud cover. But don’t underestimate the intensity of ultraviolet rays. It has weakened somewhat, but is still about twice that of Tokyo in winter, with UV Index of about 6.

Daylight hours are shorter than 11 hours, requiring travelers to plan their trip wisely. It’s always a good idea to start the day early.

Clothing Guidance

Mild and Breezy Days:
A T-shirt paired with a light jacket or knitwear is usually enough to keep you comfortable. Bright colors work beautifully against the blue ocean in photos. Jeans are a practical choice, or you can go for a long-sleeve dress layered with tights for a more island-style look.

Cold and Windy Nights:
A trench coat or casual jacket layered over a hoodie is ideal. If you decide to wait for a sunset by the sea, a windproof thin down coat adds extra warmth. As for bottom clothing, stick to long pants - jeans or windproof trousers to block the chill.

Shoes:
In terms of footwear, opt for comfortable sneakers rather than sandals.

Others:
Sunglasses, an umbrella and a hat will make outdoor exploring much cozier. In addition, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn.

What to Do in Okinawa in January

1. Admire Sakura Blossoms

Flower buds usually begin to swell by mid-January, signaling the start of Japan’s earliest sakura season. The peak sakura appreciation period ranges from late January to early February. Popular sakura blossom viewing spots include Nakijin Castle, Yaese Park and Mount Yea.

Sakura Blossom in Winter

2. Watch Whales

From January to March, humpback whales migrate to the warmer water around Okinawa, making this the perfect time to witness the spectacular moment up close. When you go for whales watching in January, it’s best to wear a windproof 3-in-1 jacket as the wind over the ocean can be extremely strong and it feels much cooler.

3. Enjoy the Light Shows

In January, Okinawa will host several illuminations in many places, such as Itoman City’s Moonlit Wonder Illumination, Mihama American Village light shows and those held by beach resorts. After the sunset, the entire town and street will be illuminated, and the show often continues late into the night. Some places might even hold live music performances during the light shows.

Travel Tip

Try to avoid the first a few days of January, when it is New Year’s holiday and school students are enjoying winter vacation, and during which time tourist spots can be busier and travel costs will increase.