The side of Okinawa you can only experience in the rain | A sightseeing and activity guide

Okinawa is a popular resort destination known for its beautiful beaches and blue sea, but if it rains during your trip, you may worry that your plans will be ruined.

In Okinawa in particular, there is a rainy season, and sudden squalls and short showers are not unusual.

But when it comes to sightseeing in Okinawa in the rain, there are actually plenty of attractive spots and experiences that you can enjoy precisely because it is a rainy day.

A rainy-day trip to Okinawa offers special ways to have fun that you can't enjoy on a sunny day, and just by shifting your perspective a little, you can make fulfilling memories.

When sightseeing in Okinawa in the rain, one of the great things is that there are plenty of indoor attractions to enjoy.

There are many facilities where you can experience Okinawa's history and culture. For example, at the Churaumi Aquarium or the historical exhibition area of Shuri Castle, you can get close to Okinawa's deep history and nature.

Okinawa also offers traditional craft experiences unique to the region, such as Ryukyu glass and pottery.

Making something while listening to the sound of the rain gives you a curious feeling, as if you had blended into everyday local life.

In addition, as a recommendation for rainy-day sightseeing in Okinawa, we'll also introduce relaxing ways to spend time that are unique to Okinawa in the rain.

For example, you could enjoy a leisurely meal at one of Okinawa's many cafes or restaurants while gazing out at views of the sea or greenery.

On rainy days in particular, there are fewer people out and about, and the atmosphere is quieter and calmer.

We also recommend spending a luxurious time savoring Okinawa in the rain over warm Okinawa soba or Agu pork dishes.

Also, on rainy days, some attractions offer discounts, so by deliberately visiting on a rainy day, you may be able to enjoy Okinawa at a better price.

The key to enjoying sightseeing in Okinawa in the rain is to keep a flexible perspective.

Let's enjoy Okinawa's calm, tranquil atmosphere, a different flavor from a sunny beach resort.

Recommended attractions for rainy days

If it rains during your Okinawa trip, you may feel your long-awaited vacation is ruined, but in fact there are plenty of spots that are perfect for sightseeing in Okinawa in the rain.

There are plenty of indoor spots and activities unique to rainy days, so you can enjoy your Okinawa trip without worrying about the weather.

Here, we introduce the appeal of the Churaumi Aquarium, the Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa, Kokusai Street and Makishi Public Market shopping street, and Okinawa World, all of which are well worth visiting on a rainy day.

Highlights of the Churaumi Aquarium

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is a popular spot visited by many tourists from Japan and abroad.

The building is spacious and has rich displays of marine life, so it can be called a classic spot for sightseeing in Okinawa in the rain.

In the "Kuroshio Sea" tank, the main exhibit inside, you can see whale sharks swimming gracefully up close.

You can sightsee comfortably even on a rainy day, so it is recommended for families and couples.

The Churaumi Aquarium also has an area called the "touch pool," where you can actually touch sea cucumbers and starfish, which is also popular.

You can learn about Okinawa's marine life while having fun, so you can spend a fulfilling time even on a rainy day.

Shopping at the Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa

Next, the "Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa," where you can enjoy shopping, is also a recommended spot for sightseeing in Okinawa in the rain.

Ashibinaa has many covered areas, so you can shop comfortably even in the rain.

The mall is lined with Japanese and international brand shops, and offers a wide range of products, from Okinawa souvenirs to fashion and food.

Ashibinaa also holds seasonal events, and special sales for tourists are sometimes held.

In addition, the food court has Okinawan cuisine, so you can take your time enjoying a meal between sightseeing stops.

Looking for Okinawan food and souvenirs on Kokusai Street and Makishi Public Market shopping street

Another place to visit when sightseeing in Okinawa in the rain is Kokusai Street and Makishi Public Market shopping street in the city.

Kokusai Street is a lively area, about 1.6 km long, lined with many souvenir shops and Okinawan restaurants.

In particular, Makishi Public Market shopping street is packed with local ingredients and souvenirs, and there are also markets aimed at tourists, so you can casually enjoy Okinawan food.

For example, you can eat Okinawan specialties such as "umi-budo" (sea grapes) and "sata andagi" on the spot, or buy Okinawan-style folk crafts.

There are also covered areas suited to strolling on rainy days, so the key point is that you can enjoy sightseeing comfortably.

Cultural experiences at Okinawa World

Finally, "Okinawa World," where you can experience Okinawa's traditional culture, is an attractive sightseeing spot even on rainy days.

Okinawa World has plenty of areas for traditional crafts and cultural experiences unique to Okinawa, and, for example, "Ryukyu glass making" and "Eisa dance" performances are popular.

It also has the natural limestone cave "Gyokusendo" on site, where you can walk through a fantastical atmosphere.

Okinawa World has plenty of indoor cultural experiences, so you can experience Okinawa's traditional culture even on a rainy day.

In particular, Gyokusendo Cave stays at a constant temperature and humidity all year round, so you can enjoy it regardless of the weather.

Indoor activities in Okinawa

On rainy days, there are plenty of activities where you can enjoy Okinawa's traditional culture and handmade experiences indoors.

Experiences unique to Okinawa, such as making pottery, Ryukyu glass, aromas and shisa, are especially popular with families and couples.

Here, we introduce four recommended activities where you can have fun while experiencing Okinawa's traditional culture.

Experience Okinawa's traditional culture by making pottery

Workshops where you can try making "yachimun" (pottery), a traditional Okinawan craft, are scattered around tourist areas and inside commercial facilities.

Yachimun is characterized by distinctive patterns and colors that reflect the region's history and nature.

At pottery workshops, instructors teach you from the basics, so even first-timers can join with confidence.

You can make a variety of pieces, such as teacups, small plates and chopstick rests, and you can take your finished work home with you.

You can experience everything from shaping the clay and adding patterns to glazing, so it is sure to be a memento of your trip.

Try making Ryukyu glass at a glass studio

Ryukyu glass is one of Okinawa's traditional crafts, characterized by vivid colors and a thick texture.

The recycled-glass technique, which originally arose during the resource shortages after the war, is now loved by many people as beautiful craftwork.

Okinawa's glass studios hold classes where you can experience the process of melting glass, blowing it and shaping it, so you can make your very own Ryukyu glass or small items.

Ryukyu glass making is beautiful and fun just to watch, but making it yourself makes it even more memorable.

You can take your finished piece home as a souvenir of your trip, preserving a special Okinawa experience in physical form.

Original aroma and shisa making experience

The "shisa making experience," where you design Okinawa's guardian "shisa" to your own taste, is also a popular activity.

You paint clay or ready-made shisa and finish them into your very own original piece, which makes it perfect for families to join too.

Recently, an experience that adds aroma to shisa making has also become popular.

It is recommended for people who like scents or want a relaxing effect, and by soaking aroma oil into the shisa, you can take home your Okinawa memories along with a fragrance.

After you get home, it is appealing as an interior piece that lets you feel the Okinawan breeze.

Watching traditional dance and music performances

Watching performances of traditional Okinawan music and dance is also a recommended way to spend a rainy day.

Eisa, Okinawan dance, and the performance of the sanshin, which produces a distinctive sound, can often be seen at tourist facilities and hotel events, and will enrich your trip even more.

There are also participatory events, so visitors can casually dance along or pick up an instrument and experience Okinawan culture.

By surrendering yourself to the rhythm of eisa and sanshin and immersing yourself in an Okinawan atmosphere different from the usual, you will be able to feel Okinawa more deeply.

The key to making your Okinawa trip more fulfilling is to enjoy special experiences that you can have precisely because it is a rainy day.

Through Okinawa's traditional culture, let's make unique memories you can't find anywhere else.

Okinawa's traditional dance, "eisa"

Eisa, known as a representative traditional dance of Okinawa, was originally performed as a way of honoring ancestors during the Obon season of the old calendar.

Eisa, performed to the powerful rhythm of drums, catches the eye of the audience and is a performance in which you can feel the energy unique to Okinawa.

Dancers in distinctive costumes shout loud calls as they beat their drums and dance, and their appearance truly embodies the soul of Okinawa.

Today, eisa is increasingly performed for tourists, and it can often be seen at hotel events and inside tourist facilities.

In particular, in the tourist areas of Naha and at major hotels, eisa performances are held regularly, so it is a good idea to work one into your rainy-day plans.

The rhythm and calls of eisa energize those who watch and soothe the fatigue of travel.

Feeling Okinawan charm through the sound of the sanshin

The sanshin is a stringed instrument unique to Okinawa, and its sound has long been loved by many people together with Okinawa's scenery.

The sanshin has a distinctive sound and is characterized by comforting melodies.

When Okinawan folk songs are played along with the sanshin, you can feel Okinawa's rich nature and the warmth of its people, and experience deep relaxation.

Places where you can enjoy sanshin performances include stages at tourist facilities and inside restaurants.

For example, at cultural facilities around Shuri Castle and folk song bars around Kokusai Street, there are many places where you can enjoy live sanshin, and you can experience Okinawan folk songs and popular songs.

The sanshin is especially perfect for nighttime sightseeing, and is recommended for those who want to spend a slow, relaxed time on a rainy day.

Sightseeing spots to experience Okinawan folk songs

To enjoy traditional Okinawan music and dance, the popular tourist spots "Okinawa World" and "Ryukyu Mura" are ideal.

These facilities condense Okinawa's traditional culture and offer plenty of indoor activities you can enjoy even on rainy days.

At Okinawa World, various performances including eisa and sanshin are held regularly, and in addition to learning about Okinawa's history and culture, many participatory events are also offered.

For example, there are sanshin and drum workshops that give participants a chance to handle the instruments, so they are perfect not only for those interested in traditional Okinawan instruments but also for parents and children to join together.

The experience of playing along to the rhythm of the sanshin and drums will deepen your sightseeing memories.

We also recommend working in this kind of hands-on program to get even closer to Okinawan culture.

Enjoy Okinawan music at a folk song bar on Kokusai Street

On Kokusai Street in Naha, there are many "folk song bars" where you can enjoy Okinawan folk songs and sanshin performances up close.

At a folk song bar, you can enjoy live sanshin and eisa while having a drink, and casually experience Okinawan music.

It is an especially recommended spot for those looking for ways to spend an evening while sightseeing in Okinawa in the rain.

At folk song bars, in a homey atmosphere, visitors can dance along or touch the instruments, and it is also appealing that you get a chance to interact directly with Okinawan people.

Also, at the end of a performance, the audience may join the circle of dancers, and the whole venue can get lively.

Interacting with Okinawan people will make your trip even more memorable.

Special experiences to touch Okinawan culture

Watching traditional Okinawan dance and music performances is not just a way to enjoy sightseeing, but also an opportunity to deeply understand Okinawa's history and culture.

By including this kind of indoor experience on a rainy day in particular, you can spend a more fulfilling day.

Not only through performances at tourist spots and hotels, but also through interaction with locals at folk song bars, you will be able to feel the essential culture and warmth of Okinawa.

When you are unsure about your rainy-day sightseeing plans, be sure to touch Okinawa's traditional music and dance and make special memories.

Spots to enjoy on rainy days in Okinawa

When rainy days continue during your Okinawa trip, it may be a little disappointing not to be able to go sightseeing outdoors.

However, there are many relaxation spots suited to days with nothing planned, and you can spend a luxurious time that you can only have on a rainy day.

Relaxing at a hot spring or spa, or enjoying a relaxation experience unique to Okinawa, lets you refresh your mind and body, which is another pleasure of a rainy day.

Here, we introduce some especially recommended relaxation spots in Okinawa.

Soothe your mind and body at an Okinawan hot spring or spa

Okinawa has plenty of hot springs and spas near tourist areas, which are ideal for relaxing and enjoying the scenery on a rainy day.

Spa facilities inside hotels in particular can also be used for the day, so you can drop by in the gaps between sightseeing.

A spa overlooking the sea, or a treatment using Okinawan natural ingredients, is truly a luxurious moment unique to a resort destination.

At these spas, you can have the luxurious experience of receiving a treatment while listening to the sound of the rain.

By visiting a hot spring or spa, you can soothe the fatigue of travel and enjoy a fulfilling relaxation time.

Enjoy Okinawan natural ingredients at a Ryukyu spa

A Ryukyu spa is also recommended as a relaxation experience unique to Okinawa.

Ryukyu spas offer a wide range of treatments using Okinawan natural ingredients, and treatments using shell ginger (getto), aloe and island salt are especially popular.

Shell ginger is highly antioxidant and also has skin-beautifying effects, so it is a perfect ingredient for those who want to improve their skin condition.

Island salt is rich in minerals and, when used as a scrub, has the effect of smoothing the skin.

A Ryukyu spa offers not only whole-body relaxation but also the scents and textures of Okinawa, so a distinguishing feature is that you can refresh through all five senses.

On rainy days in particular, it is also a good idea to try this kind of spa experience to make your time indoors more fulfilling.

Relax at a cafe surrounded by Okinawa's nature

Cafes surrounded by Okinawa's nature are also recommended as easy-to-visit places to go on rainy days.

Okinawa has many cafes where you can feel the sea and mountains, and on rainy days you can especially enjoy their quiet atmosphere.

You can spend a relaxing moment savoring sweets made with Okinawan specialty fruits or drinks made with local coffee beans.

At these cafes, you can spend a soothing moment even in the rain.

Enjoying a relaxed time at a cafe surrounded by sea and greenery can be called an experience unique to Okinawa.

On rainy-day sightseeing in particular, you can calm your mind in places like these and prepare for your next activity.

 Facilities where you can experience Okinawan art and culture

Facilities where you can touch Okinawan art and culture and learn while relaxing are also ideal for rainy days.

For example, at the "Ryukyu Glass Village," which exhibits traditional Okinawan crafts, and the "Okinawa Museum," which introduces Okinawan art, you can spend a quiet time surrounded by art even on a rainy day.

There are also many facilities where you can have cultural experiences unique to Okinawa, such as making shisa and pottery.

In these experiences, you can spend a relaxing time while doing creative work with your hands.

By touching Okinawan clay and materials, you can learn about Okinawan culture more deeply while refreshing yourself.

Restaurants and cafes to enjoy Okinawan food culture

Okinawa is known for its unique food culture.

Restaurants and cafes where you can try dishes made with local ingredients and traditional Okinawan cooking methods are one of the attractions of an Okinawa trip.

Food culture experiences that you can enjoy comfortably indoors are especially perfect for a rainy day.

Here, we introduce representative Okinawan dishes and gourmet spots, and tell you how to fully enjoy Okinawan food culture at restaurants and cafes.

Restaurants where you can enjoy representative Okinawan dishes

Okinawa's food culture has various historical backgrounds, and many unique dishes have emerged.

Among them, especially popular dishes include Okinawa soba, goya champuru and rafute (braised pork belly).

Restaurants where you can enjoy these dishes in their authentic flavors are attractive spots for tourists.

At these restaurants, you can enjoy Okinawan home cooking and creative dishes using local ingredients, and dine comfortably.

The Okinawan dishes served especially for tourists are full of flavor and let you feel Okinawan culture.

Sweets made with Okinawan specialty fruits

Okinawa is a treasure trove of tropical fruits such as mangoes, pineapples and shikuwasa.

Sweets made with these fruits let you feel the charm of Okinawa, and are recommended as the perfect dessert for a rainy day.

Cafes and bakeries serving sweets made with Okinawan specialty fruits can be found in great numbers in tourist areas and resort areas.

At these cafes, you can enjoy sweets made with fruits unique to Okinawa while spending a quiet rainy-day moment.

Desserts made with fresh fruit have a refreshing taste and let you feel Okinawa's nature.

 Cafes to enjoy Okinawa's own drinks

Okinawa also has a rich drink culture of its own.

"Brown sugar drinks" made with Okinawan brown sugar and "shikuwasa juice" made with Okinawan specialty shikuwasa are flavors you should definitely try during your Okinawa trip.

At cafes serving these drinks, you can relax slowly and enjoy Okinawan flavors even on a rainy day.

At these cafes, you can enjoy drinks made with Okinawan specialty ingredients, and they are perfect places to spend a rainy day while savoring Okinawan flavors.

Takeout Okinawan food to enjoy at your hotel

On rainy days, eating out at tourist areas is fine, but enjoying delicious Okinawan food while relaxing in your hotel room is another option.

In Okinawa, many restaurants and cafes offer takeout, so you can take home popular dishes such as Okinawa soba, goya champuru and rafute and enjoy them at your leisure in your hotel room.

Okinawa Food and Cultural Experiences on Rainy Days

There are many restaurants and cafes for enjoying Okinawan food culture where you can experience ingredients and cooking methods unique to Okinawa.

Visit cafes and restaurants serving Okinawan fruits and traditional dishes, and enjoy delicious food and drinks even on a rainy day.

By experiencing Okinawan food culture, your trip becomes even more special.

Spots to experience Okinawan art and culture

Okinawa has deep appeal not only for its beautiful nature but also for its unique culture and traditions.

Spots where you can touch art and culture in particular are an important part of an Okinawa trip, and are recommended as tourist spots you can enjoy even on a rainy day.

Learning about Okinawa's history and traditions and appreciating local art will be a wonderful experience that adds depth to your trip.

Here, we introduce several spots where you can experience Okinawan art and culture.

Okinawa Museum

The Okinawa Museum is a facility that exhibits both traditional and contemporary Okinawan art.

The museum holds many works of art reflecting Okinawa's history and culture, and you can enjoy not only works by Okinawan artists but also works by nationally known artists.

Traditional Okinawan crafts and art themed on Okinawa's nature and daily life are on display, allowing you to understand Okinawan culture deeply.

In addition to permanent exhibitions, special exhibitions are held each season, so there are new discoveries every time you visit.

On rainy days, you can enjoy art at length indoors and spend a quiet time without worrying about the sound of the rain.

Ryukyu Glass Village

Ryukyu glass, famous as a traditional Okinawan craft, is an art form essential to Okinawan culture.

At Ryukyu Glass Village, you can watch the process of making glasswork, and you can also try making glasswork yourself.

By watching the glassmaking process and learning techniques from professional craftspeople, you can feel Okinawa's traditional culture up close.

Beautiful items made with Ryukyu glass are also sold in the village, and they are popular as gifts.

You can enjoy art experiences indoors even on a rainy day, so you can savor Okinawan culture regardless of the weather.

Experiencing traditional dance and music

Okinawa's traditional performing arts, "Okinawan dance" and "music," are essential for deeply understanding Okinawan culture.

In Okinawa, there are many places where performances of traditional dance and music take place.

Even on a rainy day, you can enjoy traditional Okinawan dance and music indoors.

For example, at the "Okinawa Cultural Arts Center" on "Kokusai Street," live performances of Okinawan dance and folk songs are held regularly, and you can enjoy performances by local artists.

There are also many places where you can listen to the sanshin, a traditional Okinawan instrument, and experience Okinawan music up close.

Traditional Okinawan craft experiences

In Okinawa, there are many spots where you can experience making traditional crafts.

For example, you can learn techniques rooted in Okinawa's climate and culture, such as unique Okinawan "shisa making" and "Okinawan pottery making."

These experiences are a wonderful opportunity to learn Okinawa's history and culture by working with your own hands.

Okinawan pottery and shisa have different characteristics depending on the region, and you can come to understand those differences.

Pottery and shisa making can be done indoors even on a rainy day, so you can enjoy a cultural experience without worrying about the weather.

Museums where you can learn Okinawa's history and culture

There are also many museums for learning about Okinawa's history, and they are perfect to visit on a rainy day.

At the "Okinawa Prefectural Museum"** in particular, you can learn about Okinawa's natural history, culture and the history of the Battle of Okinawa.

Traditional Okinawan clothing and tools, as well as historical artifacts of Okinawa, are on display, letting you touch Okinawa's deep history.

Also, at the "Peace Memorial Park" and the "Okinawa Battle Site Museum," where exhibits on the Battle of Okinawa are shown, you can learn about Okinawa's war history and feel the importance of peace. These facilities are ideal places to quietly learn and reflect on Okinawa's history on a rainy day.

Summary

There are many places among Okinawa's art and culture spots where you can enjoy fulfilling sightseeing even on a rainy day.

Through museums, craft experiences and performances of traditional dance and music, you can deeply understand Okinawa's history and culture.

By touching art and culture during your Okinawa trip, you will gain a richer travel experience.

Summary of rainy-day sightseeing spots in Okinawa

There are plenty of sightseeing spots in Okinawa that you can enjoy even in the rain, letting you fully experience Okinawa's unique charm regardless of the weather.

By touching beautiful nature, culture and art, you will be able to feel Okinawa's deep history and traditions.

Below are the key points summarizing recommended sightseeing spots for rainy days in Okinawa.

Churaumi Aquarium

A leading tourist destination in Okinawa where you can see sea creatures up close.

It is an indoor facility, so you can enjoy it comfortably even on a rainy day.

       Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa

A facility where you can shop while enjoying Okinawan scenery.

It is popular as a place where you can shop at your leisure indoors even on a rainy day.

Okinawa World

A spot for learning about Okinawan culture, with traditional cultural experiences, glassmaking and shisa making.

Many of its facilities are indoors, so you can spend time comfortably even on a rainy day.

 Okinawa Museum and Ryukyu Glass Village

A place where you can learn about traditional Okinawan art and appreciate beautiful works by local artists.

A place where you can experience Okinawan culture through a glassmaking experience.

Watching traditional dance and music

At facilities where you can enjoy Okinawan dance and sanshin performances, you can experience Okinawan music and dance even on a rainy day.

Okinawan pottery and shisa making experiences

An experience spot where you can learn traditional Okinawan crafts and make handmade items indoors on a rainy day while learning about Okinawan traditions.

Museums and the Peace Memorial Park to learn about Okinawa's history

A facility where you can touch Okinawa's history and the Battle of Okinawa and learn the importance of peace.

You can reflect on Okinawa's deep history in a quiet environment.

Even on a rainy day, by touching Okinawan culture and art, you can enjoy fulfilling sightseeing regardless of the weather.

You can spend wonderful, memorable time through experiences unique to Okinawa.