Our Okinawa-based staff introduce what to wear, the weather and the best activities in Okinawa in February, an underrated season

February is the off-season in Okinawa, and if value for money is what you care about, it is a great time to visit.

Even in subtropical Okinawa, February is the coldest time of the year, which is why it counts as the "off-season."

The real appeal of the February off-season is that travel costs are low in Okinawa.

"Okinawa trips are expensive, so I can never seem to go."

If that sounds like you, February is your chance to "enjoy Okinawa in February" on a budget.

Still, you may be wondering, "Is there anything to enjoy in Okinawa in the off-season of February?"

There are plenty of "activities" and "sightseeing spots" you can enjoy in Okinawa in February, too.

In this article, we are local Okinawa staff, so we know and introduce in detail the "activities you can enjoy in February" and the "recommended sightseeing spots in February."

We also cover Okinawa's "February temperatures," "February weather," and "what to wear in February."

We hope you will use it as a guide before planning your February trip to Okinawa.

Okinawa travel costs in February are low!

February in Okinawa is the off-season, and it is a recommended time of year if you think in terms of value for money.

Even if we say it is cheap, you may be wondering, "How big is the difference between the on-season and February travel costs in Okinawa?"

If you do not know what a trip to Okinawa costs in the on-season, it is hard to tell just how good a deal February is.

So first, to show how much better a deal February is compared with the on-season travel costs of July and August, let us explain the "July to August travel costs" and the "February travel costs" in Okinawa.

Many of you will probably be surprised at how different July to August and February are!

Travel costs in Okinawa's on-season, July to August

Even if we say February is cheap because it is the off-season in Okinawa,

you probably wonder, "So how much does an Okinawa trip cost in the on-season?"

Right?

Okinawa's on-season is said to be July to August, when the sea is warm and you can enjoy "swimming at the beach" and "marine sports."

How big is the difference in Okinawa travel costs between the off-season of February and the on-season of July to August?

The travel search sites did not cover July to August, so we checked information on several sites and found that even a budget tour costs about 50,000 yen per adult.

Note: This assumes a tour that includes a round-trip flight from Tokyo to Naha and two nights at an Okinawa hotel.

(Surveyed on October 28, 2024)

That is about 100,000 yen for two adults, which is a bit painful for the wallet.

So how much does a "trip to Okinawa in February," in the off-season, cost compared with the on-season?

How much does a "trip to Okinawa in February" cost?

We looked into that as well, so please check the "cost of a February trip to Okinawa" in the next section.

Okinawa travel costs in February are low!

February in Okinawa is the off-season, partly because you cannot enjoy things like "swimming at the beach."

Even so, you can still enjoy a trip to Okinawa in February, with things like "seeing cherry blossoms a little early," "sightseeing spots you can visit even in February," and "activities you can enjoy even in February."

We actually searched for "Okinawa travel costs in February" on the travel site "Airtrip," and found that a budget 3-day, 2-night plan can be had for just 20,800 yen!

Note: This is a tour that includes a round-trip flight from Tokyo to Naha and two nights at an Okinawa hotel.

(Surveyed on October 28, 2024)

Isn't a February trip to Okinawa incredibly cheap?

If you want to enjoy a trip to Okinawa with great value for money, February is the best time to go.

Before You Go:
Okinawa’s February Weather, Temperature and Clothing

One of the things travelers to Okinawa worry about most is how the "temperature" and "weather" differ from where they live.

Temperature affects what you should wear in particular, so if you are going to Okinawa in February, many of you will be curious about the temperature in Okinawa in February.

To help with those worries, here we introduce Okinawa's temperatures, clothing, and weather in February.

Let's check them so you can enjoy your February trip to Okinawa.

What are Okinawa's temperatures in February?

February is said to be the coldest time of the year, even in Okinawa.

Even so, it is hard to picture just how cold Okinawa is in February.

So we looked into "Okinawa's temperatures in February 2024," using information from the site "tenki.jp."

"Hmm, Okinawa in February actually has some days above 25°C." It gives a fairly warm impression.

However, because Okinawa in February has "strong north winds," there are days when it feels chillier than the actual temperature, so you do need to dress for the cold.

Source: tenki.jp, February 2024 temperatures.

So what was the "average temperature in Okinawa in February" in 2024?

Based on the information above, we calculated the averages of Okinawa's "February highs" and "February lows."

The result: Okinawa's average low in February was 22.7°C and Okinawa's average low in February was 18.0°C.

Going by temperature alone, February in Okinawa is comparable to April to May in Tokyo.

What to wear in Okinawa in February

February is said to be the coldest time of the year in Okinawa.

Some days are warm, but February in Okinawa is also "a time of north winds," so it often feels chillier than the actual temperature.

Also, because Okinawa in February has "few sunny days" and "some days turn cold after sunset," at least basic cold-weather preparation is needed.

If you plan to enjoy "activities" or "marine sports" in Okinawa in February, we also recommend preparing windproof, waterproof clothing for protection against the cold.

If you take part in an activity where you will get wet in Okinawa in February, you may need to bring a "towel" and a "change of clothes." Please check in advance.

Okinawa's weather in February

Okinawa in February is said to have few sunny days, but you may be curious how many days in a month actually have bad weather in "Okinawa in February."

Based on information from the site "tenki.jp," we looked into Okinawa's weather in February 2024 and found the following.

The numbers of "sunny," "cloudy," and "rainy" days in Okinawa in February 2024 were as shown above.

Going by last year's data alone, it rained on about one third of the days in Okinawa in February 2024.

If you would like detailed data on "Okinawa's weather in February 2024," please see the table below.

Source: tenki.jp, February 2024 weather.

Recommended by our Okinawa staff! February activities

Since you are going all the way to Okinawa, many of you probably want to enjoy activities you can do even in the off-season of February, right?

However, many of you may not have a clear idea of what activities you can enjoy in Okinawa in February.

So here, as staff who live in Okinawa, we know!

We will introduce the following four activities, handpicked by our Okinawa staff, that you can enjoy in Okinawa in February.

Please check them out and enjoy a fun trip to Okinawa in February.

Diving in the "Blue Cave," which you can enjoy even in February

First, a recommended activity in Okinawa in February is diving in the "Blue Cave."

The Blue Cave is a cave where sunlight streams in and the water's surface shines blue.

Wouldn't you like to experience that mysterious world inside the cave?

"I'm a beginner diver, so I'm nervous."

You may feel that way, but some tours come with a dedicated guide who leads you through, so choosing one of those gives you peace of mind.

Many tours also give you "underwater photos" as a gift, so you are sure to come home with wonderful memories!

Recommended Blue Cave tours in Okinawa in February

February is the best season! Whale watching

Next, another recommended activity in Okinawa in February is "whale watching"!

Whale watching is a tour where you board a boat and go to meet wild whales.

Okinawa's whale watching on-season is said to run from "late December to early April," so February is right in the middle of it.

Humpback whales spend the summer in the cold waters of Siberia, but at this time of year they return to the sea around Okinawa to breed, so the chances of encountering whales in Okinawa in February are high, and it is said that you can almost always see whales.

The sight of a wild whale leaping out of the sea is absolutely thrilling.

We have put together the whale watching companies that run tours in February below, so please check them out.

Company running "whale watching" tours in Okinawa in February (1)

Company running "whale watching" tours in Okinawa in February (2)

Company running "whale watching" tours in Okinawa in February (3)

Recommended in February, too! A zip line over the sea

Next, another recommended activity in Okinawa in February is the "zip line."

A zip line is an activity where you put on a belt and harness, attach yourself to a wire rope, and glide a set distance along it.

Right now in Okinawa, zip lines that let you glide over the blue sea and beautiful beaches are popular.

You get the sensation of "flying over the sea," and it has become a hot topic on social media, too!

There is also a service, for an additional fee, where a drone films you racing along the zip line against the backdrop of the crystal-clear blue sea, and that is popular as well.

For details on the zip line, an activity you can enjoy in February, please see below.

A cave exploration tour that stirs your sense of adventure, also held in February

The next recommended activity you can enjoy in Okinawa in February is a "cave exploration tour."

Okinawa gets a lot of rain in February, so it is also a good idea to check out "activities you can enjoy even on rainy days" like this one.

At "Cave Okinawa," located in Ishikawa Kadekaru, Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture, you can experience the mysterious scenery of a cave world.

This facility was confirmed to be safe and opened to the public in February 2018.

You can enjoy a "mysterious world of lit-up, sparkling rock," and because the photo spots are marked, you will not miss any of the key spots, which is another attraction.

Details of the "cave exploration tour" you can enjoy in Okinawa in February are as follows.

Sightseeing spots in Okinawa you can enjoy in February, too

A trip to Okinawa in February has its downsides, such as "chilly weather" and "lots of rain," but there are sightseeing spots where you can still have a great Okinawa trip even in February.

Here we introduce six sightseeing spots handpicked for Okinawa sightseeing in February.

Now, let's check them out and put together a plan to enjoy sightseeing in Okinawa in February.

American Village, enjoyable in February, too

One of the sightseeing spots in Okinawa we recommend for February is "American Village."

American Village is an area that looks like a recreated American West Coast town, where you can enjoy a colorful American streetscape without leaving Japan.

The main reason we recommend this area is that it offers so many photogenic spots.

With a "streetscape reminiscent of the American West Coast," "cafes with the beach in the background, close to Sunset Beach," and "cute monuments all over town," there are scenes everywhere that you will want to capture in a photo.

The area also has about 200 shops, including popular restaurants and variety stores, so it is a great area for dining and shopping, too.

At night the area is lit up, and you can feel a different, exotic atmosphere.

With so many shops, you can enjoy it indoors as well, which makes it one of the sightseeing spots that suit Okinawa's rainy February.

The details of the "Chatan Town Tourist Information Center," located in the area of American Village, a sightseeing spot you can enjoy in Okinawa in February, are summarized below, so please use it for inquiries.

The official site of "American Village," which you can enjoy in Okinawa in February, is as follows.

Worry-free even in rainy February! Churaumi Aquarium

Next, another recommended sightseeing spot in Okinawa in February is the "Churaumi Aquarium."

Okinawa has many rainy days in February, so an aquarium you can enjoy indoors is appealing, isn't it?

But the Churaumi Aquarium is one of the popular sightseeing spots we want you to visit when you come to Okinawa, rain or shine.

In its huge tank, said to be built around the theme of Okinawa's "deep sea," a beautiful clear blue ocean world unfolds, and you can watch brightly colored fish swim by.

The star of the Churaumi Aquarium is the 8.8 m whale shark that holds the world record for the longest time in captivity!

The sight of a huge whale shark swimming in a giant tank that recreates a beautifully expansive ocean world is spectacular.

The coral tank, which creates a mysterious world with sunlight pouring in and holds 470 colonies, is another popular attraction.

Details of the "Churaumi Aquarium," a sightseeing spot you can enjoy in Okinawa in February, are as follows.

Scenery to enjoy in February, too! Kouri Ohashi Bridge across the blue sea

Next, another recommended sightseeing spot in Okinawa in February is "Kouri Ohashi Bridge."

Kouri Ohashi Bridge connects the main island of Okinawa with the small island of Kouri, and on both sides of the bridge spreads clear, emerald-green sea, giving you breathtaking views.

The ocean view from Kouri Ohashi Bridge, which is 1,960 m long, is so good that even people from Okinawa rave about it!

February in Okinawa is chilly, so this spot is perfect for anyone who would rather enjoy the sightseeing from a warm car than outdoors.

Kouri Island, on the other side of the bridge, is also a popular sightseeing spot, where a sky full of stars spreads out at night and you can see scenery you will not find in the city.

Details of "Kouri Ohashi Bridge," recommended for February sightseeing, are as follows.

The website of Nakijin Village, where Kouri Ohashi Bridge is located, the "Nakijin Village Tourism Association," also introduces Kouri Ohashi Bridge. Please see below for details.

Make the most of Okinawa in February! Okinawa World

Next, a recommended spot for enjoying sightseeing in Okinawa in February is "Okinawa World."

This facility lets you experience all of Okinawa at once.

All of that, and more, can be enjoyed at a single facility, "Okinawa World."

And some of it is indoors, so it is perfect for a trip to Okinawa in rainy February!

However, because the facility is so big, it takes a long 3 to 5 hours to see everything, so we recommend it for those who can sightsee in Okinawa at a relaxed pace.

The most popular attraction in this facility is "Gyokusendo Cave."

Okinawa has many limestone caves, but "Gyokusendo Cave" is the largest in Okinawa, and lets you feel an underground world that has been forming for tens of thousands of years.

There is also a subtropical fruit botanical garden where you can see plants found only in the tropics, such as "pineapple," "mango," and "dragon fruit."

(In Okinawa in February, you can enjoy the flowers of "mango" and "pineapple," among others.)

There are hands-on workshops in traditional Okinawan crafts: "Ryukyu glass," "bingata," "pottery (yachimun)," and "weaving."

The facility is packed with Okinawan culture, including the "Super Eisa Show," an arrangement of "Eisa," the dance performed to send off the ancestors at Okinawa's Lunar New Year.

There is much more to enjoy as well, such as taking a photo with the "lucky white snake," or strolling and taking photos in traditional Okinawan costume.

For details on "Okinawa World," which you can enjoy even in Okinawa in February, please see below.

Worry-free even on February's many rainy days! Okinawa Outlet Ashibinaa

Another recommended sightseeing spot in Okinawa in February is "Okinawa Outlet Ashibinaa."

This outlet is not especially focused on Okinawa, but for many people, a trip means shopping.

"Okinawa Outlet Ashibinaa" is a recommended spot for anyone who wants to satisfy their urge to combine travel and shopping.

The facility has more than 100 outlet stores, from casual brands like "agnès b.," "ASICS," and "Champion" to high-end brands such as "Coach" and "Gucci."

Okinawa gets a lot of rain in February, so this is also a good spot to keep in mind for rainy days.

Details of "Okinawa Outlet Ashibinaa," which you can enjoy even in Okinawa in February, are as follows.

The place to buy souvenirs! Okinawa Kokusai Street, enjoyable in February, too

The last of the Okinawa sightseeing spots you can enjoy in February is "Okinawa Kokusai Street."

Okinawa Kokusai Street is about 20 minutes by car from Naha Airport, and is Okinawa's biggest downtown area, in Naha City, the prefectural capital of Okinawa.

About 600 shops are packed into this area, with especially many souvenir shops, so it is a recommended spot for buying Okinawan souvenirs.

The area is also full of restaurants perfect for enjoying an Okinawan night out, such as typically Okinawan "steak restaurants" and "izakaya pubs with live Okinawan folk music."

Even in rainy February in Okinawa, if you book a hotel near Okinawa Kokusai Street, all you need is an umbrella to enjoy the downtown area with ease.

For information on "Okinawa Kokusai Street," a sightseeing spot recommended for February, please refer to the site of the "Kokusai Street Shopping Association" below.

Events in Okinawa you can enjoy in February

Since you are going to Okinawa in February, many of you probably want to visit the events held in Okinawa in February, too, don't you?

February in Okinawa is cherry blossom season, and being able to enjoy Okinawa's distinctive "Kanhizakura" cherry blossoms is one of its attractions.

Here we introduce the following events you can enjoy in Okinawa in February.

Please be sure to check them out.

Held in February! The Okinawa International Orchid Show

The Okinawa International Orchid Show is an event, a "works contest" devoted to orchids, and in 2025 it is held from February 1 to February 9.

This contest, which reaches its 38th edition in 2025, features orchids and orchid works from Japan and abroad, so you can enjoy gorgeous orchids.

Being able to enjoy orchids in Okinawa in February might be an unexpected encounter!

Flower lovers will find it irresistible, won't they?

The venue for the "Okinawa International Orchid Show," held in Okinawa in February, is summarized below, so please check it.

February in Okinawa is cherry blossom season

February in Okinawa is when cherry blossom season begins.

Unlike the pink cherry blossoms of mainland Japan, the main cherry blossoms in Okinawa are the deep crimson, downward-facing Kanhizakura (Kanhi cherry).

If you are going to Okinawa in February anyway, it may be nice to see Okinawa's cherry blossoms, which differ from those on the mainland.

We have put together spots where you can see cherry blossoms in Okinawa in February, so please use them as a reference.

Held every February! Yomitan Yachimun Market

The "Yomitan Yachimun Market" is a pottery market held every February, and with about 20,000 visitors it is the biggest event in the prefecture.

The stalls display traditional Okinawan pottery called "yachimun," brought in from workshops all over Okinawa.

Yachimun is known for its pleasant feel in the hand and its thickness.

If the event dates overlap with your stay in Okinawa, it is one of the events where you can strongly feel Okinawan culture, so it might be worth stopping by during your trip.

The venue for the "Yomitan Yachimun Market," an Okinawa event in February, is as follows.

Frequently asked questions about Okinawa in February

Okinawa and mainland Japan differ in things like "temperature" and "weather," so some of you may feel uneasy about traveling to Okinawa.

For those who are "thinking about a trip to Okinawa in February" but have concerns, or who "don't know what to watch out for on a February trip to Okinawa," we looked into the "frequently asked questions" most often sent in by people going on a "February trip to Okinawa."

We have also included answers to those questions, so please be sure to check them before your February trip to Okinawa.

Can you swim at the beach or in a pool in Okinawa in February?

February is a season when even Okinawa's sea temperature is low.

Also, February in Okinawa is a season of north winds, and many beaches are closed to swimming, so it is not a good season for swimming at the beach.

As for pools, the water in Okinawa in February is by no means warm, so you cannot use pools with normal temperature control.

However, some facilities offer heated pools even in Okinawa in February, so if you really want to swim, you might consider using one of those.

Heated pools are mostly available at resort hotels, and you can enjoy a pool even in February at facilities like the following.

What should you watch out for when going to Okinawa in February?

If you are going to Okinawa anyway, you want to enjoy your trip fully without wasting time on mistakes, don't you?

So that you do not end up saying "that wasn't fun" because of a mistake, we have put together points to watch out for when traveling to Okinawa in February, so please use them as a reference.

Summary

Having read this article, you now know that a "February trip to Okinawa" can be enjoyed at a low price.

You also now know that even in the off-season, Okinawa in February has plenty of "activities" and "sightseeing spots" to enjoy.

On this site, we have introduced the information above about a "February trip to Okinawa."

Please check the information on our site and enjoy your "February trip to Okinawa."