The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Okinawa. Temperatures rise (26°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Expect rain on 39% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if October (8.3/10) remains theoretically better.
May ranks 3 out of 12 months in Okinawa. Compared to April: +3°C daytime, 9 pts more rainy days.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
7 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
muggy at times
21°
Sea
25°C
pleasant for swimming
Daylight
13.3h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 40
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Okinawa is October (8.3/10), 0.4 pt higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Okinawa
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Okinawa
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Japan
🗣️LanguageJapanese
💶CurrencyYen japonais (¥)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘSafe · 2/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘ+0.61°C/decade
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 30°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 19°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJune · 49%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Okinawa ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
JapanTropical climate with a 8.3 → 4.9 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
26.33°N · 127.80°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Okinawa?
October is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 24.0°C lows, 6.6h of sunshine and 29.0% rainy days. The months of October & November offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Okinawa get in October?
Okinawa averages 6.6 sunshine hours per day in October. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.8/10.
What is the rainiest month in Okinawa?
September is the most unfavourable month with September has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Okinawa in October?
In October, overnight lows reach 24.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Okinawa good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Okinawa scores 7.1/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains October with a score of 7.8/10.
When should you avoid Okinawa?
September is the most difficult month to visit Okinawa, with September has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Okinawa in May?
In May, the sea averages 25°C in Okinawa: pleasant for swimming. Swimming is pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Okinawa in May?
The average UV index reaches 7 in May in Okinawa (high), with about 13.3h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.