Okinawa
Okinawa City is the second-largest city in Okinawa Prefecture, known for its base-town streets, Eisa drumming and the nightlife of the Koza area.
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Okinawa City sits on the Pacific coast of central Okinawa Island, about 20 km from Naha. US military bases nearby shape its character, and it feels more international than much of the prefecture. Along Route 330 between the Goya and Koza crossings, many shop signs are in both Japanese and English. Koza Gate Street and Central Park Avenue are popular with US military personnel. The city is also a hub for Eisa, the Okinawan drumming and dance tradition, and it declared itself an Eisa Town in June 2007. The Okinawa-wide Eisa Festival takes place each year at Koza Sports Park.
The city has no railway line, so buses and taxis are the main ways around. Expressway buses link it with Naha and northern towns such as Uruma, and Koza Bus Stop is the main bus stop. Some sights lie on the outskirts, including Awase Tidal Flat, where planned reclamation has drawn opposition. Around 17.6% of the city's area was covered by US and Japanese defence installations in 2018, so check access before you visit base areas.
Okinawa in five
- The rainy season comes earlyUsually from May to late June, about a month ahead of Tokyo. Typhoon risk peaks from August to September.Best time to visit Japan
- Rent a car on the main islandThe Yui Rail monorail only covers Naha, and buses are slow beyond it.Where to stay in Naha
- Take the fast ferry to the Kerama IslandsTokashiki and Zamami are under an hour from Tomari Port in Naha.
- Give the south half a dayThe Peace Memorial Park and the Himeyuri museum tell the story of the 1945 battle.
- Fly, don't ferry, to Ishigaki and MiyakoThe Yaeyama and Miyako islands are separate flights from Naha, about an hour each. Treat them as their own trip, not a day out.Yaeyama Islands
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Okinawa, the full guide
Naha
Naha is Okinawa's capital and main gateway, where you can visit Shuri Castle, walk Kokusai-dori and catch ferries to the Kerama Islands from Tomari wharf.
Miyakojima
Miyakojima is a flat island in Okinawa known for pale sand beaches and clear reef water, with a quiet pace suited to a beach-focused trip.
Things to do in Okinawa
See all attractions in Okinawa
Need to know
- Airport
- Naha (OKA), on the Yui Rail monorail
- Getting around
- Rental car on the main island, ferries and flights to outer islands
- Best base
- Naha for a first night, then the west coast or the outer islands
- Weather
- Rainy season May–Jun, typhoon risk Jul–Oct
- Time needed
- 4–6 days for Naha, the west coast and one island
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryCloudy11 rainy daysHigh19°Low16°Mild, cool seaJanuaryCloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 112 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, cool sea
- FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh19°Low16°Early blossomFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Early blossom
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh21°Low18°Warm, dryMarchRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 147 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low20°Beach season opensAprilRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 159 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach season opens
- MayRain17 rainy daysHigh25°Low23°Rainy seasonMayRain
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 326 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JuneRain22 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rain, then clearJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 358 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, then clear
- JulyRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low27°Hot, clearJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 226 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, clear
- AugustRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low27°Hot, typhoonsAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 258 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, typhoons
- SeptemberRain24 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low27°Typhoon riskSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 235 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Typhoon risk
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Warm sea, calmerOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 183 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, calmer
- NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh24°Low21°Mild, clearNovemberRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 135 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- DecemberRain12 rainy daysHigh21°Low18°Cool, quietDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 170 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
Average daily high and low in Okinawa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Okinawa
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 23°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 23 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Naha
05:06 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today25°22°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed27°22°22%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Thu27°22°25%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri26°22°32%Friday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 32%.
- Sat26°21°8%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun26°22°12%Sunday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 12%.
Updated 03:14 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Nahaabout 20 km awayThe prefectural capital and the largest city in Okinawa, about 20 km from Okinawa City.
- Urumaby busA neighbouring town to the north, linked to Okinawa City by local and expressway buses.
- Chatanneighbouring townA neighbouring town that shares the Okinawa Police Station area with Okinawa City.
Before you go to Okinawa
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Rules for Okinawa, checked
- Check entry requirements on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website before you fly, since they depend on your passport.Source
- Declare food, plants, meat and medicines on arrival, and check the Japan Customs website for what you may bring in.Source
- About 17.6% of the city's area was covered by US and Japanese defence installations in 2018. Check access before you visit base areas, including Kadena Air Base and Camp Foster.
- Japan's drug laws are strict. Check before you bring any medicine, including prescription drugs.
- Emergency numbers are 110 for police and 119 for fire and ambulance.
Plan around Okinawa
Entry, money, rail passes and the best time to go
Read the guideNahaThe capital: markets, the monorail and a first night
Read the guideYaeyama IslandsIshigaki, Iriomote and the reefs beyond
Read the guideIshigaki or IriomoteWhich Yaeyama island suits your trip
Read the guideBest time to visit JapanBlossom, autumn color, snow and typhoons
Read the guideTravel insurance for JapanCancellation cover for typhoon months
Read the guideOkinawa FAQ
When is the best time to visit Okinawa?
April and late October to November for warm, settled weather, and July if you want long beach days and accept some storm risk. May and June bring the rainy season; August to September is peak typhoon time.
Do you need a car in Okinawa?
On the main island, yes, for the north, Churaumi and the west coast. Naha alone works with the Yui Rail monorail and taxis. The Kerama and Yaeyama islands use ferries, flights and local transport.
How many days do you need in Okinawa?
Four to six days covers Naha, the main island's west coast and one island hop. Allow at least four more for Ishigaki and Iriomote, which sit a flight away from Naha.
Can you swim in Okinawa in winter?
Most resort beaches run a swimming season from spring to autumn, and winter water is cool enough for a wetsuit. Check the beach's own season before you plan on it.
Is Okinawa safe in typhoon season?
It is manageable with flexibility. Storms can cancel flights and ferries for a day or more, so leave slack before your flight home and choose cancellable bookings from August to October.