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In April, Okinawa is in its “Urizun” season, with its dazzling fresh green foliage! This time of year, when the earth is moist and life is vibrant, is also a time of major events and traditional festivals.
Let’s take a look at what you need to do to enjoy Okinawa in April to the fullest!
A recommended hotel in Onna Village, one of the best beach resorts in Okinawa, Japan!
In this issue, we will introduce you to travel sites that are easy to compare so that you can get the best deals on hotels for your special trip. Each site offers limited time discounts and special offers, and depending on the season, you may have the chance to stay at a top resort hotel for up to 20% off! We hope you will take advantage of them.
April Climate and Clothing
Weather and Climate
It is not unusual for daytime high temperatures in Okinawa in April to exceed 25°C (77°F), but there are days when it rains, as it is just before the onset of the rainy season. This is due to the seasonal change, when warm air currents from the south and cold air currents from the remnants of winter intersect. Rain during this time of year is welcomed as a blessing that moistens the land, which tends to dry out.
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Temperature and recommended clothing
- Early season: Warm days with an average temperature of 21.0°C (70.4°F). The weather is pleasant.
- Mid: Even warmer, sometimes reaching 28.7°C. Light clothing can be worn during the day.
- Late: Toward the beginning of the rainy season, the average temperature is still pleasant at 23.1°C, but be prepared for rain gear.
Men’s Clothing
Lightweight T-shirts and polo shirts are comfortable during the day. It is a good idea to carry a lightweight long-sleeved shirt or cardigan for nighttime and rainy days. Also, since the sun will be strong, use a hat and sunglasses.
Women’s Clothing
Sleeveless or short-sleeved blouses, knee-length skirts and shorts are appropriate during the daytime. Carry a light cardigan or stole as a cloak to protect against air conditioning and to prevent sunburn. It is also recommended to enjoy spring-like items such as bright colors and floral patterns.
Children’s Clothing
Children are active, so it is important to dress for ease of movement; a T-shirt and shorts or a lightweight one-piece is best. When playing outside, remember to protect against UV rays by wearing hats and UV-protective clothing.
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Tips for enjoying Okinawa in April
During this time of year, Okinawa hosts major events such as the Ryukyu Kaiyan Festival, and beautiful flowers are in full bloom. One way to take advantage of the rainy weather is to enjoy a walk in the fresh air after the rain, or try indoor activities such as making traditional Okinawan crafts or visiting museums.
At this time of year, the island’s beaches open their doors to the public one after another, and the clear blue waters attract visitors. The sea temperature is warmer than in other parts of Japan, around 22 degrees Celsius, but it is recommended to wear a wetsuit because it is easy to lose body heat in the water. With a wetsuit, you can comfortably enjoy activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling, and enjoy the beautiful underwater scenery of Okinawa.
However, you may still feel a little chilly for prolonged swimming. It is important to find ways to enjoy the ocean while taking into account your physical condition, such as taking short dips in the water, strolling along the seashore, or relaxing on the beach. Okinawa’s waters are crystal clear even in April, and the beautiful corals and fish that adorn the coastline can be seen, so be sure to enjoy your time at the beach to the fullest.
Be prepared for the changing weather conditions and enjoy this beautiful season to the fullest during your trip to Okinawa in April.
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April is the opening of the sea
In Okinawa, the sea opens in late March or early April!
At this time of year, when the air is still a little chilly, the water temperature slowly begins to rise and the fun of the sea begins in wetsuits. After the long rainy season, Okinawa’s ocean is at its most glorious from late June to October, when the summer season is in full swing.
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Okinawa Sea Opening Schedule in 2024
- Friday, March 16
- Ishigaki Island, Minanuhama-cho Kaihin-ryokuchi (artificial beach)
- Okinawa Main Island (Onna) Manza Beach
- March 17 (Sunday)
- Okinawa Main Island (Kunigami) Okuma Beach
- Sunday, March 24
- Okinawa Main Island (Itoman), Bizan Beach Itoman
- March 31 (Sunday)
- Miyako Island Yonaha Maehama Beach
- April 1 (Saturday)
- Okinawa Main Island (Motobu) Emerald Beach
- Onna Village Seaside Park Nabbie Beach
- April 7 (Sunday)
- Kumejima Ihu Beach
- Okinawa Main Island (Naha) Namiue Beach
- Friday, April 12
- Okinawa Main Island (Chatan) Sunset Beach
On the day the ocean opens, safety prayer festivals and attractive opening events are held at each beach, uniting the people of the islands in gratitude for the sea and looking forward to the coming season.
At this time of year, new encounters and discoveries await you in the Okinawan ocean. Let’s welcome the new season with the Okinawan sea, freeing our minds and bodies while enjoying the beauty of the beaches.
Okinawa April Events
In April, many traditional and cultural events are held in Okinawa, centering around the Ryukyu Urizun Festival and the Okinawa International Movie Festival, which are the major events that color the season of Urizun. Here we will introduce these events in some detail.
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Ryukyu Flame Festival (held at the Ryukyu Islands in Okinawa on May 15)
- Date and Time: April 13, 2024 (Saturday) Doors open at 15:30 (tentative) / Concert begins at 19:00 (tentative)
- Location：Ginowan Seaside Park (Ginowan Tropical Beach)
- Overview: Known as the earliest firework display in Japan, the show attracts spectators with its combination of Okinawa’s natural beauty and fireworks. Programmed and controlled fireworks create a precise and dynamic show. Artistic fireworks by world-renowned designer Junko Koshino will grace the night sky with music. The collaboration of music and fireworks at the Kaiyamatsuri offers a unique and special experience.
Okinawa International Movie Festival (Shima Zenbu de Okina Matsuri)
- Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024 – Sunday, April 21, 2024
- Location: Kokusai Street, Naha City / Naha Arts & Culture Theater Naha / Palette Kumoji Traffic Plaza / AEON MALL Okinawa Rycome / Theater Donut, etc.
- Overview: Launched in 2009, this film festival offers a comprehensive entertainment program centered on movies and including music, dance, comedy, art, sports, and more. During this period when the entire island is filled with entertainment, visitors will be greatly surprised and impressed.
Qingming Festival (Shimei)
- Date/Time: Late April
- Summary: A traditional event unique to Okinawa, this is an important time for family and relatives to gather and visit the graves of their ancestors. A feast is prepared, the graves are cleaned, the spirits of the ancestors are comforted, and prayers are made for the health and happiness of the family. Seimei Matsuri is considered an important event for strengthening family ties.
These events are a great opportunity for travelers visiting Okinawa in April to experience the cultural and natural beauty of the island. From participating in traditional events to watching films from around the world at international film festivals, visitors will have a unique Okinawan experience.
April Seasonal Ingredients
In Okinawa in April, many fresh foods are on display at the market, adding color to the dining table.
Passion fruit, gurukun, and handama are representative of foods that enjoy the unique delicacies of this time of year.
Here are a few more details about the appeal of each of these ingredients.
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passion fruit (Passiflora edulis)
- Characteristics: Passion fruit, with its rich, sweet and sour aroma, has a unique appearance and flavor that gives it its name. Its many seeds and jelly-like pulp are usually eaten as is with a spoon. Its flavor also makes it perfect for making cocktails, desserts, and sauces.
- Usage: Topping yogurt or ice cream instantly transforms everyday desserts into tropical flavors. Also, by adding it to drinks, you can enjoy its refreshing flavor.
gurukul (Tripterospermum japonicum)
- Characteristics: Gurukun, the prefectural fish of Okinawa, is characterized by its bright color and light flavor. In the sea, it is blue in color, but changes to red when it is resting or excited. Fresh ones can be enjoyed as sashimi, while fried or grilled are the most common ways to cook them.
- Usage: Fresh gurukun is best enjoyed as sashimi. You can also enjoy its crispy texture by deep frying it or simply savoring its taste by grilling it with salt.
solder
- Characteristics: A brightly colored leaf vegetable with a green surface and purple underside, handama is characterized by its sliminess when heated. It is commonly boiled and served as a boiled dish, but it is also used raw in salads and as a topping.
- Usage: Boiled quickly and served as boiled rice, or used raw as a topping for salads and pizzas, it makes a colorful and nutritious dish. Rich in iron and polyphenols, it is a particularly good vegetable for women.
By utilizing these ingredients, you can deepen your enjoyment of the unique Okinawan culinary experience in April.
The fresh ingredients used in the dishes will make your trip memorable and give you a deeper experience of Okinawa’s culinary culture.
Purchase seasonal fruits and vegetables at direct sales stands or roadside stations!
April Flowers and Plants
In April, Okinawa is known as the season of Urizun, when the entire island is covered with fresh greenery and a variety of flowers are in full bloom as if in competition with each other.
Particularly striking are the beautiful forms of the tephra lily and the ochre-luka. Here are a few more details about these flowers.
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Polygonatum falcatum
- Best time to visit: Late April – May
- Characteristics: The teppo lily has large white flowers with a trumpet-like shape. As the name suggests, the shape resembles a gun (teppo), hence the name. Its white color against the blue sky in early summer and its strong fragrance captivate visitors. Lily festivals are held not only on the main island of Okinawa but especially on Ie Island, which attracts many tourists. You can see their beautiful appearance here and there on the island, such as along roadsides and in parks.
Okhlarelka (former Soviet Union intelligency agency)
- Best time to visit: April
- Characteristics: The kakureruka is a well-known flower in Okinawa that heralds the arrival of spring. Its dignified appearance, standing erect and stretching straight up toward the sky, makes a strong impression on those who see it. The leaves are sometimes used for flower arrangement, and at Kijojoka in Ogimi Village, visitors can enjoy the spectacular sight of kakureruka blooming en masse when spring arrives. Every year, depending on the blooming conditions, many people visit the area to celebrate the arrival of spring.
These flowers symbolize the beauty of nature that must be seen when visiting Okinawa in April.
Beginning with the pristine white blossoms of the tepee lily and ending with the dignified appearance of the ochre-luka, each creates a special scene for the season.
It is also recommended to enjoy a flower tour while feeling the nature of Okinawa.
Airline Ticket Prices in April
A check of airfare quotes from Tokyo to Okinawa in April shows that prices are quite high unless you take advantage of special discounts such as early bird discounts.
This table shows data for JAL flights departing from Haneda and arriving at Naha, with prices in the high 50,000s yen range for the first half of the trip.
The price will fall to the 20,000-yen level in the second half of the year, but will rise through Golden Week.
Thus, airline ticket prices in April fluctuate widely from day to day.
Therefore, when planning a trip, it is important to check airline tickets as early as possible and take advantage of discount promotions to get the best deals.
If you are planning a trip to Okinawa in April, be sure to check airfare price trends and book at the optimal time.
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Hotel rates in Okinawa in April
To summarize information on the hotel market in Okinawa in April, prices start at about 8,000 yen per night, and there is a wide range of hotel classes in Okinawa. Specifically, one-star class hotels offer accommodations starting at less than 10,000 yen, while luxury five-star class hotels are priced at more than 50,000 yen per night. This price difference is due to differences in hotel type, location, and facilities and services offered.
When choosing a lodging plan in Okinawa, it is important to check specific hotels and reservation sites for the latest information. Also, in many cases, early booking brings the chance to enjoy discounted prices and special offers, making it possible to save more money on your stay. When planning your trip to Okinawa, you should use this information to select the best hotel for your budget.
To enjoy a safe and comfortable trip, be sure to book early to allow enough time in your travel schedule to fully appreciate Okinawa’s beautiful nature and culture.
A great way to reserve a rental car that locals also use!
How’s April for a trip to Zucca?
April is called “Urizun” for Okinawa, the most comfortable season of the year. The fresh green foliage is beautiful and you can enjoy outdoor activities in the pleasant weather. There are many events unique to this time of year, and special experiences await you, such as the Ryukyu Uminosuke Festival, the earliest fireworks display in Japan, and the Okinawa International Movie Festival, which is full of entertainment.
In addition, the life-like scenery created by nature provides fresh inspiration and healing for visitors. The ocean may be a bit chilly, but there are endless ways to enjoy the sea, such as sunset beach walking and island hopping.
However, airfare and hotel rates may rise in April due to the increase in tourists. It is a good idea to plan your trip early and take advantage of early-bird specials. Compared to other seasons, Okinawa in April is outstanding in terms of ease of use and variety of ways to enjoy the island.
In conclusion, if you want to fully enjoy the charm of spring in Okinawa, we recommend that you visit in April. Enjoy Okinawa’s unique climate, culture, and events to your heart’s content.
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summary
April is the best travel season in Okinawa, with its natural, cultural, and culinary treasures.
Enjoy the pleasant weather and enjoy Okinawa’s unique events and foods as you make the most of the spring on the island. Don’t forget to book early to save on your trip!
If you want to enjoy Okinawa, get discount tickets online!
special feature article
Roadside Stations and Direct Selling Stations Special Feature!
Michi no Eki (Roadside Stations) and direct sales shops in Okinawa are very popular tourist attractions. Each has its own unique characteristics, making them 200% worth visiting! Please visit them!
Special feature on beaches on the main island of Okinawa!
The main island of Okinawa has many wonderful beaches that can only be found in the tropics. We will introduce each of them in an easy-to-understand manner, from the very secluded to the well-serviced executive beaches.
Typhoon Okinawa
We have compiled a list of points to keep in mind when a typhoon approaches so that you can respond without panic before or during your trip. We hope you will find it useful.
One of the best spots for lunch in Okinawa!
