Okinawa is fine in the rain! A rainy-day guide to activities, sightseeing and hotels

Okinawa means blue seas and blue skies! You want to make the most of sightseeing and activities in Okinawa's wonderful weather.

But are you worried about what to do if it rains?

Okinawa's weather changes easily, and during rainy season and typhoon season, rain every day is not unusual.

Rain can prevent outdoor activities and disrupt all sorts of plans, spoiling your long-awaited Okinawa trip.

However,Okinawa has many activities and sightseeing spots you can enjoy even on rainy days.

There are also plenty of activities to enjoy within your hotel, so there is no need to worry!

This article introduces Okinawa activities, recommended sightseeing spots, and hotel activities that are great fun even on rainy days.

Rain is no problem! Recommended activities in Okinawa

Activities under blue skies are popular in Okinawa, but sudden rain is also common.

Preparing plans that work even if it starts raining lets you fully enjoy your Okinawa trip.

Here are our recommended Okinawa activities that are fine even on rainy days.

We recommend the Blue Cave ↓

Okinawa World Culture Kingdom

Okinawa World features Gyokusendo, a limestone cave approximately 5km long formed over around 300,000 years, with 890m open to visitors, as well as the world's only Habu Museum Park, where you can learn little-known secrets of habu snakes.

You can appreciate all of Okinawa's appeal through craft experiences in the Ryukyu Kingdom Castle Town, which recreates streets from the Ryukyu dynasty era using relocated traditional houses over 100 years old, and Nanto Brewery, which produces and sells habu liquor and Okinawan local beer.

The powerful Super Eisa traditional performing arts show, staged daily, is one of the popular attractions.

Japan's largest limestone cave: Gyokusendo

Okinawa World Culture Kingdom is a popular sightseeing spot in Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture, and a theme park where you can enjoy Okinawa's nature and traditional culture.

Among its attractions, Gyokusendo is Japan's largest limestone cave, formed from coral reefs and approximately 5km long.

A magical world of beautiful stalactites formed over many years awaits visitors.

Created by nature over 300,000 years, Gyokusendo contains varied stalactites, with the sound of dripping water echoing quietly.

In the cool air, you can savor a magical moment underground.

Because it is inside a cave, rain is naturally no problem.

Okinawan traditional craft experiences: Ryukyu Kingdom Castle Town

Okinawa World Culture Kingdom has various workshops where you can try different traditional Okinawan crafts.

Let's look at some recommended activities.

Ryukyu glass experience

Ryukyu glass originated after the war through reusing cola bottles brought in from America.

Its bright, uplifting atmosphere, characteristic of Okinawa, makes this glass appealing.

You make glasses and small plates using glass melted at high temperatures.

Choose your own patterns and colors to create an item you love. Your finished item is shipped later.

Pottery experience

Pottery is called ‘yachimun’ in the Okinawan dialect. You can make shisa figures or try a pottery wheel.

These creations are also shipped later.

Indigo dyeing experience

Indigo dyeing uses Ryukyu indigo as its raw material. The indigo color, deeper than blue, is truly beautiful.

It is also lovely how the color develops character as you use the item.

There are many other enjoyable activities, such as papermaking and souvenir photos with a white snake, said to symbolize happiness.

On a rainy day, spending leisurely time immersed in Okinawa's traditional culture here is a good option.

You first need to buy an admission ticket for Okinawa World Culture Kingdom.

After buying your ticket, enjoy whichever activities you like.

Shisa-making experience

Shisa are something you see everywhere you go in Okinawa.

Regarded as guardians of Okinawan homes, they are also popular Okinawa souvenirs among visitors.

Making shisa is another recommended rainy-day activity.

Many pottery classes and workshops in Okinawa offer shisa-making experiences where you can create your own original shisa.

Beginners receive careful instruction, making this an activity that children and adults can enjoy together.

Here, we introduce a workshop in the center of Okinawa.

The workshop is on Kokusai Street, popular for Okinawa sightseeing and shopping, making it easy to stop by.

You can take your creation home the same day.

Okinawa main island sightseeing bus tours

If you want to visit various Okinawa sightseeing spots even on a rainy day, an Okinawa main island sightseeing bus tour is recommended.

Rental cars are convenient too, but many people feel hesitant about driving in an unfamiliar place on a rainy day.

Okinawa main island sightseeing bus tours have routes visiting popular Okinawa spots unaffected by weather, making them activities that let you enjoy sightseeing efficiently and comfortably.

Admission to places such as Churaumi Aquarium and Ryukyu Mura is included in the tour price.

Another attraction is learning about Okinawa's history and culture while listening to the bus guide during travel.

Duration and prices vary by route, so book a tour that suits you and enjoy it.

Glass-bottom boats

A glass-bottom boat is recommended if you want to enjoy beautiful underwater scenery even when it rains.

Its transparent bottom lets you see colorful fish and coral reefs underwater up close.

Another welcome point is that you remain inside the boat, so you do not need to change into a swimsuit and can stay completely dry.

No special belongings are needed, and people of any age, from age 0 to older adults, can enjoy it easily.

Most glass-bottom boats have roofs, offering reassurance even on rainy days.

Here, we introduce the glass-bottom boat at Busena Marine Park in Nago City, Okinawa.

Busena Marine Park also has an underwater observatory tower, so people uncomfortable with boats can enjoy the underwater world too.

 Snorkeling and introductory diving

You can actually experience snorkeling and diving even on rainy days.

Okinawa's sea remains highly transparent even when it rains, so you can enjoy marine activities unless the weather is particularly bad.

Diving in particular takes you underwater, so it is hardly affected by rain.

The Blue Cave is famous for snorkeling and diving in Okinawa, and many tours there also proceed unless waves are high or winds are strong.

Although it may not look as beautiful as on a sunny day, you can still fully enjoy a beautiful sea.

Buggy experience

A buggy is a four-wheeled vehicle designed for rough off-road driving. It is easy to control, so even beginners can ride.

Small children can enjoy the activity together with an accompanying guardian.

Driving a buggy through jungle and forest also lets you encounter subtropical plants and creatures unique to Okinawa.

A buggy experience offers a slightly thrilling, exhilarating adventure unlike everyday life.

You get dirty even when it is not raining, so why not go all out, get muddy, and enjoy the activity to the fullest?

  Mangrove kayaking

For an outdoor activity, mangrove kayaking, exploring Okinawa's mangroves by kayak, is also recommended.

In Japan, mangroves are found only on Kagoshima's outlying islands or in Okinawa. You can enjoy these precious mangroves even in the rain.

A guide accompanies you, making this reassuring even for beginners. Why not adventure through nature by kayak? It is sure to become a wonderful memory!

Popular rainy-day sightseeing spots that delight children and adults

Okinawa has many popular sightseeing spots. Even in the rain, you still want to go sightseeing. Indoor facilities let a wide range of generations enjoy themselves together without being affected by the weather.

Let's introduce popular Okinawa sightseeing spots that work well in the rain and delight both children and adults.

Churaumi Aquarium

Churaumi Aquarium is a place almost everyone visits during an Okinawa trip.

Above all, there are the whale sharks! You can watch whale sharks and manta rays swimming gracefully in a huge tank up close.

It is designed for enjoyment by children and adults alike, with attractions such as the Coral Sea, keeping approximately 80 types of coral and faithfully recreating Okinawa's sea, and an exploration program that lets you view the giant tank from directly above.

There is also an ocean-view restaurant and a cafe overlooking the giant tank, allowing a leisurely full-day visit.

Free stroller rentals are available, and ramps throughout the aquarium make moving around with a stroller no problem at all.

Refer to the following admission prices.

Nago Pineapple Park 

Okinawan pineapples are sweet and delicious.

Nago Pineapple Park is a pineapple-themed park in Nago City that is particularly popular with families with children. You explore aboard a pineapple train or pineapple-like yellow carts, comfortably enjoying the park without worrying about getting wet in the rain.

It also has Japan's only pineapple winery and a pineapple brandy distillery, rare even worldwide, making it plenty appealing to adults too.

With shops offering drink samples and tastings and souvenir shops stocked with unique items, it is a place to enjoy thoroughly with friends and family.

Hours are 10:00–18:00, with last entry at 17:30, and admission is as follows.

Nuchimasu Sightseeing Salt Factory Nuchiuna

The Nuchimasu Sightseeing Salt Factory, producing Okinawan Nuchimasu salt, is another recommended rainy-day facility.

Here, you can tour the factory producing internationally acclaimed Nuchimasu.

The name Nuchimasu derives from Okinawan dialect words: ‘nuchi’ for life and ‘maasu’ for salt, giving it the meaning ‘salt of life.’

The factory tour takes around 10–15 minutes and is led by a free guide.

The facility has a restaurant using Nuchimasu and Okinawan ingredients, with salt soft-serve ice cream and Nuchimasu daifuku popular as desserts after a meal.

Besides touring the factory, you can try a massage using the popular Silk Salt product at the directly operated Nuchimasu shop. Silk Salt is said to offer the prospect of improving skin quality!

From this facility, you can also see Kafu Banta, one of Okinawa's spectacular views.

Kafu Banta is an Okinawan expression meaning ‘Cape of Happiness.’ The sea's gradation from indigo through cobalt blue to emerald green is beautiful, and this magnificent view brings happiness to those who see it.

It is said that you can see sea turtles laying eggs on this beach on full-moon nights.

 Orion Happy Park

Okinawa's local beer means Orion Beer.

Orion Happy Park, a facility themed around Orion Beer, is also a popular rainy-day sightseeing spot.

Located in Nago City, Okinawa, Orion Happy Park lets you see the production process of Orion Beer.

At the end of the factory tour, you can enjoy sampling freshly made beer.

Although it is an Okinawa sightseeing spot aimed at adults, minors can sample soft drinks.

With an attached cafe and shop, you can enjoy it with children too.

It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Ryukyu Glass Village

Ryukyu Glass Village is a facility themed around Ryukyu glass, one of Okinawa's signature traditional crafts.

Here, you can not only observe glass production but also enjoy a comprehensive range of experience programs for making your own original items.

There are more than 12 programs to try, including glassmaking, Ryukyu glass accessory making, fragrance making, and photo frame decorating.

You can take completed items home on the spot. The Ryukyu glass product outlet section is also popular.

Admission and parking are free.

Ryukyu Mura

Ryukyu Mura is a theme park in Onna Village recreating Okinawa's traditional architecture and culture.

Within the park, you can stroll through an area built with relocated traditional houses and enjoy powerful eisa performances.

It also has many experience programs, with shisa painting and bracelet making particularly popular with women.

Bracelet making lets you create a one-of-a-kind original bracelet using natural-stone beads in your favorite colors and patterns.

Staff help with difficult finishing steps, so even small children can participate.

Getting your own original item here is a lovely way to remember an Okinawa trip.

Rainy-day hidden gems: hotel activities suitable for children

We have introduced activities and Okinawa sightseeing spots you can enjoy even on rainy days, but there is actually an unexpected hidden gem.

Hotels! Several hotels offer activities for children and adults, and we recommend them for a comfortable time in beautiful interiors.

You are sure to spend such fulfilling time that you forget it is raining.

Now, let's introduce particularly recommended hotels and their activities.

Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort

Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort is a luxury resort hotel in Onna Village, Okinawa. Located beside a beautiful beach, it offers various marine activities such as wakeboarding and sunset cruises on fine days.

What activities can you enjoy even when it rains? Let's take a look!

Experience sunny Okinawa with cutting-edge VR

On floor 1 of the hotel's main tower is the Virtual Reality Station attraction, where cutting-edge VR headsets let you experience an immersive virtual world.

There are 2 worlds to experience.

The 1st is the Sheraton Okinawa Balloon Tour, recreating a hot-air balloon trip.

The 2nd is the Sheraton Okinawa Adventure Ride, which uses MX4D® motion seats that move with the images to let you realistically experience Okinawa's spectacular views and resort activities.

The realistic visual experience captivates adults as well as children!

Although virtual, it lets you fully enjoy Okinawa on a sunny day.

Projection mapping

Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort hosts one of Okinawa's largest projection-mapping displays.

Using the entire lobby, this projection-mapping display lets you experience a powerful collaboration of music and fountains.

There is a large sofa in the middle of the lobby, so relaxing on it while watching is a lovely option.

The show starts at 8 p.m. There is no charge.

Handmade experiences

A handmade workshop on floor 1 of the hotel's main tower offers Okinawan-style craft experiences such as shisa making and original sand art.

Experiences are available from 10 a.m.

Renaissance Okinawa Resort

Renaissance Okinawa Resort lies at the southern end of Onna Village, Okinawa, and is an entertainment beach resort hotel where everyone from children to adults can relax and enjoy themselves.

This hotel has many unique experience programs for parents and children together. Here are some valuable programs you can only experience here.

Hotel job experience

This children's program is called the First Job Challenge.

Choose a job you want to try, then receive wages called ‘Leaf’ after the experience and use them for shopping.

The available job experiences are as follows.

Your wages in Leaf vary with the job you try, and the Leaf you receive can pay for drinks and light meals at the cafe or souvenirs at the gift shop.

Being able to experience actually working, receiving wages, and spending them is something you rarely find elsewhere.

It will be an extremely valuable experience for children and a time that leaves lifelong memories.

The program is primarily for children and requires a guardian to accompany them.

Parent-and-child chef experience

The hotel job experience was a children's-only program, but this parent-and-child chef experience lets parents and children participate together.

You can take cooking and baking classes in a dedicated kitchen equipped with the latest facilities.

Available dishes vary with the program period, but there is a wide selection, including French and Japanese cuisine, bread, and cakes.

Professional chefs teach top-class techniques, making this a cooking class that greatly satisfies adults too.

We have summarized the activities and details as of 2024 below.

Original ‘R’ burger: an original burger with pineapple in its patty.

Melon bread: cute turtle-shaped melon bread, starting with kneading the dough.

Sweets (cakes): making treats such as whole cakes and cupcakes.

 Indoor pool

Renaissance Okinawa Resort has outdoor and indoor pools with water slides.

An indoor pool is easy to enjoy even on rainy days.

Both have children's pools, allowing families with small children to play with peace of mind.

The outdoor and indoor pools have the same usage prices.

Rizzan Sea-Park Hotel Tancha Bay

Rizzan Sea-Park Hotel Tancha Bay is located in Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park in Onna Village. It is very popular for its breakfast buffet, featuring build-your-own salmon roe bowls, salmon roe and seafood bowls, roast beef bowls, and personalized sandwiches.

It also provides casual beach activities and full-scale marine activity programs.

Indoor pool

There is a heated indoor pool where you can swim year-round. A children's pool is also available, and you can enjoy using swimming rings and life jackets.

See the rental equipment below.

Handmade experiences

On floor 1 of the hotel, you can enjoy crafts with unlimited use of shells and coral.

It is also perfect for a summer vacation independent research project. Finished items can be packed in a box and taken home.

When is Okinawa's rainy season? Rain information to know

When planning an Okinawa trip, we recommend thoroughly researching its rainy and typhoon seasons.

Okinawa's rainy season in particular has characteristics different from mainland Japan, so learn about them and prepare for rain.

Let's explain Okinawa's rainy season, its characteristics, and the typhoon season you may be concerned about in an easy-to-understand way.

When are the rainy and typhoon seasons?

Okinawa's rainy season begins earlier than on Japan's main island, lasting each year from mid-May (5) to late June (6).

Afterward, typhoons arrive from July to September (7–9).

Characteristics of Okinawa's rainy season

Okinawa's rainy season has the following characteristics.

Many people probably avoid rainy season when planning an Okinawa trip.

However, Okinawa travel prices are relatively low during rainy season.

The average air temperature in Okinawa during this period is 24°C, and seawater temperatures are also just right for enjoying marine activities.

Even in rainy season, rain does not continue all day and there are sunny intervals, so this period is actually suitable for enjoying an Okinawa trip.

It feels like a shame to miss Okinawa during this affordable period simply because it is rainy season.

This article has introduced many activities and Okinawa sightseeing spots enjoyable even on rainy days.

Use it as a reference to plan an enjoyable Okinawa trip!

Okinawa's typhoon season

Okinawa is prone to direct typhoon hits, bringing very strong rain and wind.

Typhoons can also cancel flights and paralyze transportation in Okinawa.

If a typhoon arrives during your trip, do not force yourself to go out; stay inside a building.

See the following effects when a typhoon approaches Okinawa.

If a typhoon arrives during your Okinawa trip, you have little choice but to stay inside your hotel.

Consider purchasing travel insurance in case of injury.

You need to prepare for a typhoon at your accommodation, such as securing extra drinking water and food early.

Traveling to Okinawa during rainy season is not a major problem, but typhoon season after the rainy season ends is less recommended.

Your return flight may be canceled, requiring you to extend your hotel stay.

But your hotel may not have rooms available.

In the worst case, your only option may be sleeping at the airport.

As far as possible, try to avoid August and September (8–9), when typhoons peak.

Having said that, August and September (8–9) can also be the most recommended months...

Okinawa is enjoyable even on rainy days!

With abundant indoor activities and sightseeing spots where you can enjoy yourself with peace of mind in the rain, Okinawa lets you enjoy travel regardless of the weather.

There are also special rainy-day ways to enjoy yourself that you cannot experience on sunny days.

Making good use of the activities, Okinawa sightseeing spots, and hotel activities introduced in this article will let you fully enjoy Okinawa even on a rainy day.

Places usually busy and crowded are quieter on rainy days, allowing you to appreciate them leisurely in a peaceful atmosphere.

There is no need to worry about rain on an Okinawa trip. See it as an opportunity instead and make wonderful memories!