Our Okinawa-based staff introduce what to wear, the weather and the best activities in Okinawa in January

Okinawa is a tourist destination where you can enjoy a tropical getaway without ever leaving Japan.

There are the emerald-green and deep blue seas, of course, and also scenery unique to Okinawa, like old traditional houses and American-style storefronts.

Between sightseeing and activities, Okinawa has plenty to enjoy.

Since its warmth is part of the appeal, January is the off-season for travel to Okinawa.

With its lower prices, January is a great chance for an Okinawa trip if you are thinking about value for money.

"January is the off-season in Okinawa, so there probably isn't much to enjoy, right?"

You may be thinking that, but there are plenty of things you can enjoy only in Okinawa in January.

Written by our local staff, this article is a must-read for anyone who wants to enjoy Okinawa in January, and it includes recommended activities for an Okinawa January.

・Okinawa travel costs in January
・Okinawa temperatures in January
・Okinawa weather in January
・What to wear in Okinawa in January
・Activities you can enjoy even in January
・Hands-on craft experiences to enjoy indoors on chilly January days
・Events in Okinawa in January

We are packing this article with all kinds of information about Okinawa in January, including the topics above.

If you are planning a trip to Okinawa in January, or you are still deciding whether to go, please use this as a reference.

Are travel prices high in January?

"I'd like to go to Okinawa in January, but how are the prices in January?"

When you think about airfare and hotel costs, you probably wonder how much a trip to Okinawa in January will cost in total.

I imagine many of you want to travel to Okinawa in January as cheaply as possible.

To get straight to the point, travel prices for Okinawa in January are honestly a little high around the New Year holiday.

However, this is not because it is Okinawa. It is a holiday-season markup that you find at any tourist destination.

Apart from the New Year holiday, travel to Okinawa in January is a great deal.

Even in Okinawa, temperatures drop a little in January, so it is the off-season for Okinawa trips. Hotel and airfare prices are often lower, which makes January a good time to target.

How much does the New Year holiday cost?

So, if you travel to Okinawa over the New Year holiday, when prices are highest in January, how much will it cost?

If you are considering a trip to Okinawa over the New Year holiday, the most expensive time in January, you will surely be curious.

As an experiment, I assumed a 3-day, 2-night trip from January 1 to January 3 and searched for prices on the Orion Tour website.

The result: even for the New Year holiday starting January 1, a budget tour for two adults comes to about 85,900 to 86,800 yen per person.

Note: Based on round-trip flights from Tokyo to Okinawa
Note: Searched on October 25, 2024
Note: Searched for a trip period of January 1 to January 3, 2025

Of course, that includes round-trip flights and hotel for 2 nights.

For a New Year trip starting January 1, that seems rather affordable.

That was my impression.

However, in terms of value for money, the best time to visit Okinawa in January is after the New Year holidays are over.

We explain "why January is a good time to target" in more detail in the next section, so please take a look.

The sweet spot is after the New Year holiday

If you are choosing an Okinawa trip based on price, the period right after the New Year holiday in January is highly recommended.

To give you a clear example of January Okinawa trip prices, I searched on the Orion Tour website, assuming a 3-day, 2-night trip from Tokyo to Okinawa from January 7 to January 10.

Note: Based on round-trip flights from Tokyo to Okinawa
Note: Searched on October 25, 2024
Note: Searched for a trip period of January 7 to January 10, 2025

This search was limited to budget tours for Okinawa in January, but it came to just 28,900 to 30,100 yen per adult!

Even for two people, an Okinawa trip in January costs only about 60,000 yen.

An Okinawa trip in January is almost absurdly cheap.

If you want to visit Okinawa on a budget, January is a recommended time.

January temperatures, clothing, and weather

"What is the climate in Okinawa like in January?"

When traveling to Okinawa in January, temperature affects what you wear, so many people are curious about it.

Nobody wants to show up in Okinawa in January wearing the wrong clothes for the season and feel embarrassed. Above all, once you arrive, you want to enjoy your trip fully without worrying about what to wear.

That is why we recommend checking the temperature in advance for Okinawa in January.

It is also important to know the January weather in Okinawa beforehand.

If it rains often, you can prepare sightseeing plans for rainy days, which lets you enjoy Okinawa more efficiently.

・Okinawa temperatures in past Januaries
・What to wear in Okinawa in January
・Okinawa weather in January

Below, we go over each of the topics above in detail, so please check them to make sure your January trip to Okinawa goes well.

How warm is it in January? Past Okinawa data

"How warm does Okinawa get in January?"

Since it affects what you wear, I think many people wonder how warm Okinawa is in January when they travel.

We looked into Okinawa temperatures in January 2024, and last year's average temperatures in Okinawa were as follows.

Average high in January 2024
・About 20.65℃

Average low in January 2024
・About 15.49℃

To get a feel for the 20-degree high in Okinawa in January 2024, it helps to imagine the temperatures Tokyo sees from April to mid-May.

Even within January, though, wouldn't there be a difference between January 1 and January 31?

For those of you wondering that, we have put the January 2024 Okinawa temperature data into a table for your reference.

Source: https://tenki.jp/past/2024/04/weather/10/50/47936

It is true that even within January in Okinawa, the 2024 data shows temperatures tended to be lower in the second half of the month.

However, temperatures were somewhat warmer from January 29 on, so deciding what to wear can be a little tricky.

What to wear in Okinawa in January

Okinawa has a warm image all year round, but in the winter month of January there are also many days that feel chilly.

In addition, sea breezes blow in Okinawa in January, so it often feels cooler than the actual temperature. Be sure to bring clothes that keep you properly warm.

Recommended clothing for January

・Outerwear: Long-sleeved jackets, coats, cardigans, hoodies, and so on.
・Tops: Long-sleeved blouses, long-sleeved T-shirts, and so on. Thin long-sleeved clothes are recommended.
・Bottoms: Long pants and so on. A long-sleeved dress is fine too!
・Footwear: Even in January, some days are warm during the day and sandals are fine, but it can get cold at night, so bring a separate pair of shoes.

Depending on the activities you do in January, you may need casual pants, T-shirts, or a change of clothes, so keep that in mind.

It can be chilly in Okinawa in January, so water-resistant clothing that is fine to get wet is also recommended.

So that you don't end up saying "I caught a cold and couldn't enjoy Okinawa," it is important to bring some cold-weather gear for Okinawa in January.

What is the weather like in Okinawa in January?

The best thing about Okinawa in January is that there are no typhoons.

It is nice that you are unlikely to run into the troubles common on Okinawa trips, such as canceled flights.

However, there are some downsides, such as shorter daylight hours in Okinawa in January and many rainy or cloudy days.

You probably wonder just how often it is rainy or cloudy in Okinawa in January.

To ease that concern, we looked into the weather in Okinawa in January 2024 and turned it into data.

It turned out that in January 2024, Okinawa had rain on 8 of the 31 days.

For that reason, we recommend checking in advance for places in Okinawa that you can enjoy even in the rain when traveling in January.

Source: https://tenki.jp/past/2024/04/weather/10/50/47936

Below are some places you can enjoy even on rainy days in Okinawa in January, so please take a look.

Tourist spots to enjoy on rainy days in Okinawa in January

・Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
・American Village
・Okinawa World
・Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa
・DMM Kariyushi Aquarium

Activities our local staff recommend for Okinawa in January

When you think of Okinawa, many people want to try the "activities" you can enjoy in a tropical setting.

But what activities can you enjoy in Okinawa in January?

Some of you may not know what is recommended and find it hard to choose.

We would like to introduce our local staff's recommended activities for January.

Here, our Okinawa-based staff share what only locals know!

Recommended activities in Okinawa in January

・Whale watching
・Okinawa Shisa Parasailing
・Easy-going Okinawa sightseeing bus tours
・Kayaking to enjoy the sea and mangrove forests

The four above are especially recommended activities in Okinawa in January.

But just seeing the names, you probably can't tell much about them.

We explain the "activities you can enjoy in Okinawa in January" in detail in the next sections, so please take a look.

January is the season! Go see the whales: whale watching

First, the activity we recommend for January is whale watching!

Whale watching is a tour where you board a boat and go see whales.

You can see whales up close, which makes it one of the most popular activities in Okinawa.

The sight of a whale leaping out of the water is truly powerful.

In particular, late December to early April is said to be the best time, when whales that spend the summer in places like Siberia return to Okinawa to breed. January falls in this period, so it is also an excellent time for whale watching.

In Okinawa, there are also many tours with a high chance of meeting whales, with encounter rates of 90% and the like, so you are unlikely to be disappointed that you could not see any.

That is part of the appeal.

Some tours even offer a full refund if you do not see a whale, and many boats operate with that much confidence in their encounter rates.

There are several places on Okinawa Main Island that run whale watching tours in January.

We have summarized the details of whale watching tours you can enjoy in Okinawa in January below, so please take a look.

Whale watching available from Naha

We have gathered three companies where you can enjoy whale watching in January.

Whale watching option 1 available in Okinawa in January

Whale watching option 2 available in Okinawa in January

Whale watching option 3 available in Okinawa in January

Doable in January too! Fly over the sea: Okinawa Shisa Parasailing

Next, another recommended activity for Okinawa in January is "Okinawa Shisa Parasailing"!

Parasailing is a popular Okinawa activity where you ride a parachute-equipped rig and are towed by a boat over the sea.

You can take in a sweeping view of Okinawa's deep blue sea from above and enjoy the sensation of floating over the ocean.

With the sea breeze on your skin, you can have a wonderful time.

And among parasailing options, we especially recommend "Okinawa Shisa Parasailing"!

The parachute is designed as a colorful shisa, and it is incredibly cute.

Of course, it is available in January too.

Please note, though, that even in Okinawa it gets a bit chilly in January, so you will need cold-weather gear, such as a windproof jacket.

Details about Okinawa Shisa Parasailing, which you can enjoy in January too, are summarized in the table below, so please take a look.

Available in January too: easy Okinawa sightseeing bus tours

Next, another recommended activity in Okinawa in January is an "Okinawa sightseeing bus tour"!

Renting a car is the usual way to get around on an Okinawa trip, but besides renting a car, you can also use an Okinawa bus tour.

Okinawa has no trains apart from the monorail called the "Yui Rail," so you pretty much need a car to enjoy your Okinawa trip to the fullest.

But some of you may be thinking, "Driving sounds tiring" or "I don't have a license."

For those people, we recommend an Okinawa bus tour!

And on a chilly January day in Okinawa, it is nice and warm inside the bus.

There is one more reason we recommend Okinawa bus tours.

They take you around popular tourist spots, so you don't have to research exactly which attractions to visit in Okinawa in January.

If it is your first time in Okinawa and "choosing which sights to visit in January is a hassle," a bus tour is a big help for first-time visitors.

Of course, there are many kinds of bus tours that visit Okinawa's attractions in January, so you can also choose to some extent where you want to go.

We have gathered information on bus companies that run bus tours in Okinawa in January too, so please take a look.

Company offering Okinawa bus tours in January 1

Company offering Okinawa bus tours in January 2

Company offering Okinawa bus tours in January 3

Enjoy it in January too! Take in the clear sea views by kayak!

Next, another recommended activity in Okinawa in January is "kayaking"!

In Okinawa in January, kayaking, where you move along in a small boat using a paddle, is a popular activity.

Okinawa kayaking comes in two types, "sea kayaking" and "mangrove kayaking." Sea kayaking takes you out on the ocean, while mangrove kayaking has you paddle along rivers in Okinawa's mangrove forests.

The appeal of "mangrove kayaking" is that you get a refreshing feeling while experiencing up close the mangrove forests that can only be seen in tropical and subtropical regions, which makes them unique to Okinawa.

With "sea kayaking," you can look down on Okinawa's transparent, "clear blue sea" and "brilliantly colorful fish" from above, and the view of the underwater world from the surface is moving.

However, it can be chilly in Okinawa in January, so we recommend preparing some cold-weather gear for this too.

Sea kayaking

At "Okinawa Marine Studio," you can go in January too, and their clear kayaks that let you see into the water are popular.

Kai・la is also available in January, and its plan that lets you enjoy a tropical orange sunset and the clear sea is popular.

Mangrove kayaking

At "Nature Mirai-kan," you can go in January too, and local instructors teach you about the wonders of Okinawa's nature.

Staff picks: hands-on craft experiences for January

It is a little cooler in Okinawa in January, so if you are thinking "outdoor activities sound like a lot of work" or "I'd like to enjoy something indoors," we recommend a hands-on craft experience unique to Okinawa.

Whatever you make with friends, a partner, your spouse, or family will surely become a wonderful keepsake to take home.

Also, many Okinawa craft experiences have "an ocean theme" or lovely "soft, pale colors."

On a chilly January day in Okinawa, why not spend your time on a craft experience?

Here, we introduce four popular craft experiences you can try in Okinawa in January.

・Making shisa, Okinawa's guardian lion-dogs
・Ryukyu glass, a traditional Okinawan craft
・Seashell photo frames
・Coral dyeing

Even in January, when it is chilly for Okinawa, these are indoors, so you can join with peace of mind.

To enjoy January, try making your own shisa

One craft experience you can enjoy in Okinawa in January is "making shisa."

When you think of Okinawa, the famous "shisa," a symbol of Okinawa, is said to be a guardian of the home that protects it from evil and bad spirits.

The shisa that guard real Okinawan homes have a dignified look, but in craft experiences, many are made in cute designs.

There are many places across Okinawa where you can make shisa, and there are many types, with designs such as "earth-toned," "colorful," and "character-style."

Another reason we recommend it is that you can enjoy it regardless of the weather, even in rainy Okinawa in January.

For about 2,000 to 5,000 yen, you can make your very own piece.

Of course, it is indoors, so there is no need to worry about the cold in Okinawa in January.

We recommend choosing a shop along your sightseeing route, near your hotel, or by looking at the designs.

Details on popular facilities where you can make shisa in Okinawa in January are summarized below, so please take a look.

Facility 1 where you can make shisa in Okinawa in January

Facility 2 where you can make shisa in Okinawa in January

Facility 3 where you can make shisa in Okinawa in January

Make Ryukyu glass your way! Available in January

Next, another recommended craft experience in Okinawa in January is making "Ryukyu glass."

Many people associate Okinawa with Ryukyu glass.

Its distinctive thickness and rounded form are adorable, and the sparkling bubbles inside the glass are beautiful, which makes it a popular Okinawan traditional craft.

Isn't it appealing to be able to make that traditional Okinawan craft with your own hands?

The weather in Okinawa in January is often poor, so it may be a good idea to build this into your schedule as a backup in case an activity falls through.

Please try finishing a piece of Okinawan glassware, which has a history of 100 years, just the way you like it.

This is also indoors, so you can join with peace of mind even on a slightly chilly January day in Okinawa.

Details on "popular facilities" where you can make Ryukyu glass in Okinawa in January are summarized below, so please take a look.

Facility 1 where you can try Ryukyu glass making in Okinawa in January

Facility 2 where you can try Ryukyu glass making in Okinawa in January

Facility 3 where you can try Ryukyu glass making in Okinawa in January

Cute seashell photo frames: available in January too

Next, another recommended craft experience in Okinawa in January is making a "seashell photo frame."

"Kanoa," located on Kokusai-dori Street, is a craft experience spot worth checking out for an Okinawa trip during a rainy period like January.

The crafts here are a huge hit with girls! Guaranteed!

The "shell photo frame," made with tropical shells, has a gentle look and lets you make a cute photo frame that is popular with girls.

The frame decorations include not only shells but also shisa, so it makes a perfect memento of Okinawa too!

Besides photo frames, the shop also lets you make accessories that you can enjoy in Okinawa in January, so be sure to check it out.

Check below for details on the "photo frame making facility" you can enjoy in Okinawa in January too.

Coral dyeing on items you like: available in January too

Next, another craft you can enjoy in Okinawa in January is the "coral dyeing experience"!

Coral, which is becoming a precious resource because of the problem of global warming...

At "Coral Dyeing Studio Shuri Ryusen," you can try coral dyeing using fossilized coral, which is that precious.

Another appeal is that you can choose your favorite item from four options: a "tenugui" (Japanese hand towel), a "tote bag," a "small furoshiki" (wrapping cloth), or a "T-shirt."

Coral dyeing has become popular for its colors, which are both soft and vivid.

If you are thinking "activities in January are too cold for me," why not try an experience unique to Okinawa like this one?

Details on the "coral dyeing experience" you can enjoy in Okinawa in January are as follows.

Please take a look.

2025 events in Okinawa in January

If you are going to Okinawa in January anyway, many of you are probably curious what kinds of events are held in Okinawa in January.

So we looked into the events being held in Okinawa in January 2025.

・Illuminations at a botanical garden where you can see subtropical plants
・Limited-time menus featuring Okinawa's famous pork
・Cherry blossom festival (with light-up)

We found that events like the ones above are held in Okinawa in January.

Did any of them catch your eye?

Detailed information on these "Okinawa events in January" is below, so please check it out.

Tropical Flowers Shine: The Moving Paradise of Light, Okinawa January event 1

The first Okinawa event you can enjoy in January is the illumination "Tropical Flowers Shine: The Moving Paradise of Light"!

At a place where you can enjoy subtropical plants, Churaya Palm Park Okinawa Southeast Botanical Gardens, you can admire not only plants but also flowers from the tropics.

In January 2025, a colorfully glowing "illumination" event is being held.

The combination of tropical plants and illumination is spectacular.

For details on this event you can enjoy in Okinawa in January, please see the table below.

Chef's Special Dish: Shima Pork Showdown, Okinawa January event 2

The second event you can enjoy in Okinawa in January is "Chef's Special Dish: Shima Pork Showdown"!

At the Okinawa resort hotel Renaissance Okinawa Resort, they are holding the "Chef's Special Dish: Shima Pork Showdown in Okinawa," and until January 9 you can enjoy menus made with Okinawan specialty pork you can only eat during this period, starting with Agu pork.

The menus made with Okinawan pork that you can only eat until January 9 are as follows.

・"Ryuka pork" jellied terrine
・"Pineapple pork" and island vegetable burrito
・"Ryubi pork" ginger pork
・"Beni pork" loin cutlet in a fu (wheat gluten) coating with purple sweet potato sauce

It might be a good idea to work these "Okinawan pork menus," available only until January 9, into your schedule as one of the memories of your January trip to Okinawa.

It runs only until January 9, in the early part of the month, but if you are interested, be sure to check it out.

18th Yaese Cherry Blossom Festival (light-up), Okinawa January event 3

The third recommended event in Okinawa in January is the "18th Yaese Cherry Blossom Festival."

Some of you may be wondering, "Cherry blossoms in January?" but in Yaese Town, Okinawa Prefecture, the cherry blossom festival has already begun.

This is a festival with a wonderfully handmade feel, put together by local people. If you want to enjoy cherry blossoms from early January, it may be worth making the trip.

The light-up runs only from January 20 to February 2, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., so please keep that in mind when you go.

Detailed information on the "18th Yaese Cherry Blossom Festival," an event you can enjoy in Okinawa in January, is below, so please check it out.

Q&A about Okinawa in January

Some of you may want to know more about an Okinawa trip in January, for example, "It's my first time going to Okinawa in January and I'm a little anxious," or "I'd like to share other people's worries about Okinawa in January."

It can be hard to track down all the "things to watch out for when visiting Okinawa in January" on your own.

So we have put together frequently asked questions from "people visiting Okinawa in January" in a Q&A format, and we hope you find them useful.

Q. Can you swim at the beach or use a pool in Okinawa in January?

A. In Okinawa in January, north winds blow and the sea tends to be rough, so swimming is prohibited at many beaches.

As for pools, the ones you can use in Okinawa in January are heated pools.

Heated pools available in January are mostly found at Okinawa resort hotels, so we recommend checking information on those hotels.

Q. Can you get a diving license even in January?

1. In Okinawa, you can get a diving license even during the chilly time of January.

Many companies in Okinawa offer courses to get a diving license in about 2 to 3 days even in January.

We recommend using a company that offers such a course.

Q. Is there anything to watch out for when visiting Okinawa in January?

A. Even in January, the sun is often strong in Okinawa, so you need UV protection such as "sunscreen" and "sunglasses."

Also, if you plan to do sea activities, Okinawa can be chilly in January and you may get splashed and chilled, so we recommend bringing waterproof clothing, towels, and a change of clothes.

The weather in Okinawa in January often turns bad, so it is also best to bring rain gear such as a folding umbrella.

Summary

Unless you want to enjoy the beach or a pool in Okinawa, an off-season trip to Okinawa in January is recommended when you think about value for money.

Okinawa in January does have downsides, such as a high ratio of bad weather, but there are also activities like whale watching for which January is the season.

Why not enjoy the Okinawa that is unique to January?

Also, temperatures in Okinawa in January are around highs of 20 degrees and lows of 15 degrees, which is comparable to Tokyo from April to mid-May, so it is relatively comfortable, which is another appeal.

And there is plenty to enjoy in Okinawa even in January!

・Many activities are available even in January
・You can enjoy sightseeing
・Plenty of craft experiences you can enjoy even on a chilly January day in Okinawa
・You can take part in Okinawa's January events
・You can enjoy Okinawan food

We hope you will fully enjoy Okinawa in January, when value for money is at its best.