Okinawa is warm throughout the year and many think of Okinawa as being sunny all the time. However, it may surprise you to know that it rains quite often in Okinawa. Even if it rains during your trip, there are still lots of things you can do.
In this article we will introduce spots in Okinawa that can be enjoyed even on rainy days.
Table of Contents
- Heiwa-dori Street (Southern Area)
- Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa (Southern Area)
- Ryukyu Glass Village (Southern Area)
- Gala Aoiumi (Central Area)
- AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom (Central Area)
- Murasaki Mura (Central Area)
- Yohena Hydrangea Garden (Northern Area)
- Okinawa Fruits Land (Northern Area)
- Orion Happy Park (Northern Area)
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Northern Area)
- Time with least amount of rainfall in Okinawa
Heiwa-dori Street (Southern Area)
Heiwa-dori Street is connected to Okinawa’s essential sightseeing spot – Kokusai-dori Street. As the 300-meter long arcade shopping street is covered, you can walk along the street without an umbrella even on rainy days.
Lined with fruit and vegetable shops and souvenir shops, Heiwa-dori Street exudes a more profoundly Okinawan atmosphere than Kokusai-dori Street. As the shopping street is also frequented by locals, it is a great place to check-out for those who are interested in going to local shops.
Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa (Southern Area)
Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa is the southernmost outlet mall in all of Japan. “Ashibinaa” means “place of leisure/play” in Okinawa language.
At Ashibinaa there are over 100 shops and restaurants, including the standard outlet stores, stores selling Okinawan knick-knacks, and eateries. Not only is the shopping complex have roofs, but they also provide rental umbrellas to visitors, so they can stay dry while enjoy shopping and dining in rainy weather.
Facility Information
Okinawa Outlet Mall Ashibinaa
Address：1ｰ188 Toyosaki, Tomigusuku-shi, Okinawa
Phone：098-891-6000
Ryukyu Glass Village (Southern Area)
Ryukyu Glass Village is the largest handmade glass workshop in Okinawa. Ryukyu Glass refers to the beautifully colored, translucent glass products made in Okinawa.
At Ryukyu Glass Village, visitors can observe as craftsmen create glass products and even experience glass blowing. Besides glass blowing, there is a wide variety of DIY workshops, such as gel candle making and shisa lion dog painting. Here, you can thoroughly enjoy Okinawan culture even when it’s rainy outside.
Facility Information
Ryukyu Glass Village
Address：169 Fukuchi, Itoman-shi, Okinawa
Phone：098-997-4784
Gala Aoiumi (Central Area)
Gala Aoiumi is a place where you can experience “seeing, making, and eating” what Okinawa has to offer.
Here, you can experience making your own original glass products by trying a glass blowing experience or make a one-of-a-kind shisa lion dog. You can even make your own pizza at the on-site restaurant, Ocean’s Pizza, where you can choose your own toppings like salami and mushrooms.
As all of the activities are held indoors, everyone from children to adults can have a fun time whether it’s rain or shine.
Facility Information
Gala Aoiumi
Address：915 Takashiho, Yomitan, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa
Phone：098-958-3940
AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom (Central Area)
If you are visiting Okinawa, we recommend that you stop by AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom. Many people are familiar with AEON malls and Rycom is one with an added Okinawan flair. There are many characteristically Okinawan elements here, such as the giant shisa lion dogs guarding the entrance and the colorful tropical fish in the huge aquarium in the shopping center.
There are also many restaurants and shops selling Okinawan food, so it is a great place to stop on rainy days, when want to stay indoors.
Facility Information
AEON Mall Okinawa Rycome
Address：1 Rycom, Kitanakagusuku-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa
Phone：098-930-0425
Murasaki Mura (Central Area)
Murasaki Mura closely resembles a Ryukyu Kingdom era village. You can learn about Okinawa’s history just by walking around this cultural theme park.
There are over 100 traditional cultural experiences that can be done here, such as bingata dyeing and Ryukyuan traditional dance. The on-site buffet restaurant offers champuru stir-fry dishes and other Okinawan cuisine.
This is a spot where the entire family can enjoy Okinawan culture all day long, even on a rainy day.
Facility Information
Murasaki Mura
Address：1020-1 Takashiho, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa
Phone：098-958-1111
Yohena Hydrangea Garden (Northern Area)
We recommend visiting Yohena Hydrangea Garden on rainy days. Here, you can see over 300,000 hydrangea flowers blooming beautifully in the garden.
Yohena Hydrangea Garden opens from May to June every year, during rainy season, when the flowers bloom. As there are stairs and other slippery areas in the garden, we recommend wearing sneakers, boots, or comfortable footwear.
You can also appreciate the beautiful blooming flowers from the café in the garden.
Facility Information
Yohena Hydrangea Garden
Address：1312 Izumi, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa
Phone：0980-47-2183
Okinawa Fruits Land (Northern Area)
At Okinawa Fruits Land, you can see fruits and plants that are characteristic of tropical areas and Okinawa. As it is indoors, you can have a great time without getting wet, even if it’s raining outside.
See mangoes, pineapples, and unusual fruits in the Fruits Zone and colorful birds in the Bird Zone. You can also partake in a giant parfait that includes a generous helping of colorful fruits.
Facility Information
OKINAWA Fruits Land
Address：1220-71 Biimata, Nago-shi, Okinawa
Phone：0980-52-1568
Orion Happy Park (Northern Area)
Orion Beer is Okinawa’s famous brand of beer and at Orion Happy Park, you can tour the Orion Beer Factory for free. As visitors can learn about the manufacturing process and history of Orion Beer and even taste some for free, the facility is a must-visit for beer lovers.
Of course, as the facility is indoors, there is no need to worry about the weather. The on-site restaurant, Yambaru-no-Mori, serves Orion Beer as well as food made using Okinawan ingredients.
Facility Information
Orion Happy Park
Address：2-2-1 Agarie, Nago-shi, Okinawa
Phone：0570-00-4103
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Northern Area)
You are sure to be impressed and amazed by the world’s largest aquarium tank at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, where you can experience Okinawa’s beautiful ocean without having to worry about the weather.
Observe the main stars of the aquarium, the whale sharks, as they swim gracefully in the tank alongside reef manta rays and other sea creatures found only in the seas of Okinawa. The aquarium also offers programs to touch dolphins and manatees, which are popular with children.
Facility Information
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Address: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa
Phone：0980-48-3748
Time with least amount of rainfall in Okinawa
Although Okinawa has the image of “eternal summer”, it is actually one of the prefectures in Japan with the highest amount of rainfall.
It is particularly rainy during the rainy season from May to June and from August to September, during typhoon season. If traveling during these months, we recommend researching hotels and spots that can be enjoyed indoors.
There is less rainfall during July, after rainy season ends, and during winter, from November to February. We recommend visiting during these months if you want to enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Contrary to what many may believe, it actually rains a lot in Okinawa. Even if you visit during a period with low rainfall, there are often sudden downpours. However, if you do some prior research and look up places that can be enjoyed even during rainy weather, you are sure to have an enjoyable trip to Okinawa, no matter the weather.
