Okinawa is an attractive tourist destination with its mild climate and beautiful ocean, but care must be taken during typhoon season. Typhoons are tropical cyclones that develop in the Pacific Ocean and often move northward from the south of Japan. Because Okinawa is located in their path, typhoons are especially frequent from summer to autumn.
Knowing the months with the most typhoon season will help you plan your trip!
Table of Contents
Number of typhoons approaching Okinawa in the past 5 years (number of typhoons)
| Months backslash year | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | mean value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Proximity 0 / Occurrence 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | Approach 0 / Occurrence 0.3 |
| February | Proximity 0 / Occurrence 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/1 | 0/0 | Approach 0 / Occurrence 0.3 |
| March | Proximity 0 / Occurrence 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | Approach 0 / Occurrence 0.3 |
| April | 0/0 | 0/1 | 0/2 | 1/1 | 0/0 | Approach 0 / Occurrence 0.6 | |
| May | 1/2 | 1/1 | 0/0 | 0/1 | 0/1 | Proximity 0.4 / Occurrence 1 | |
| June | 0/0 | 2/1 | 0/2 | 1/2 | 0/1 | Proximity 0.6 / Occurrence 1.6 | |
| July | 1/2 | 1/3 | 3/2 | 1/3 | 0/0 | Approach 1.5 / Occurrence 3.7 | |
| August | 2/6 | 1/6 | 2/5 | 3/4 | 4/8 | Approach 2.2/Occurrence 5.7 | |
| September | 3/8 | 2/2 | 4/7 | 1/4 | 2/3 | Approach 1.9/Occurrence 5.0 | |
| October | 1/3 | 1/2 | 0/5 | 0/4 | 1/6 | Approach 1.1/Occurrence 3.5 | |
| November | 1/4 | 0/0 | 0/1 | 0/1 | 0/3 | Proximity 0.3 / Occurrence 2.2 | |
| December | 0/1 | 0/1 | 0/1 | 0/1 | 0/1 | Approach 0 / Occurrence 1.0 | |
| total amount | 0 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | Approach 7.7/Occurrence 25.1 |
1. Approaching Okinawa Prefecture : The center of the typhoon is Naha, Nago, Kumejima, Miyakojima, Ishigakijima, and Iriomotejima,
It is defined as being within 300 km of any of the meteorological offices, etc. on Yonaguni Island or Minami-Daito Island. The number in parentheses is the number of approaching Okinawa Prefecture.
2. If a typhoon approaches in two different months, it is added to both months. The total number may not add up.
What will you do if a typhoon hits when you are about to go on a "trip to Okinawa"? What will you do if a typhoon occurs during your "Okinawa trip"? Please read this article if you are planning to travel to Okinawa during the typhoon season in summer.
Number of typhoons approaching Okinawa
What the Data Tell Us
1. comparison of August and September
Occurrence: August 5.6 / September 4.8
Both August and September have the same number of typhoons approaching, but August has more typhoons, so unstable weather conditions are expected to continue in the month of typhoons that have just hit the region. In other words, the probability of being affected by a typhoon is high in August, and you will need to check the weather forecast frequently; in September, the number of typhoons calms down a bit compared to August, but the number of approaching typhoons is the same, so be careful when planning your trip.
2. comparison between October and June
Occurrence: October 4.0 / June 1.2
Although the number of typhoons approaching Japan is the same, the number of typhoons is more than three times higher in October. This is thought to be due to the fact that most of the typhoons that occur in October occur in the seas around Japan and can have a direct impact on the country.
In June, there are still few typhoons, and even if they do occur, they are unlikely to affect Okinawa; in October, there are more typhoons, and even if they do not approach, the weather may be more unpredictable, so travelers are advised to check the long-term forecast carefully.
3. positioning of July
Number of occurrences: 2.0
July is a relatively safe travel season with fewer typhoons than August and September. However, typhoons that do occur may continue to affect the country through August, so travelers should be especially careful when traveling at the end of the month.
4. typhoon conditions in May and November
Number of approaches in November: 0.2 / Occurrence: 1.8
May is the time when typhoons begin to appear, but they rarely approach and their impact is relatively minor. November has fewer approaching typhoons, but they occur slightly more frequently. Therefore, there is a possibility of indirect weather disruption even if the typhoon does not approach.
generalize
August and September have the same number of approaches, but August has a higher number of occurrences and may be more variable in weather conditions.
October and June have the same number of approaches, but the weather is more variable in October because of the greater number of occurrences.
July is still relatively stable with few typhoons, but be careful at the end of the month.
There are fewer typhoons in May and November, but weather conditions may be more severe in November.
And I can think of a lot of things to do, but then I'd be like, "When do I go?!" So, in the end, it comes down to,Hopefully it will be sunny when I want to be there.There is only one.
Not all typhoon data is available.
It may seem contradictory to this data, but the "weather occurrence rate" data shows that it is also typhoon season.Naha (main island of Okinawa) in October is the sunniest month of the year.The weather has been very good in October. However, the weather was quite broken last year in October 2024, so we can't say for sure, but on average, October is definitely sunny.
Also, the clearest days for Miyako and Ishigaki islands are in July, right? It is also difficult to assume that typhoon season = bad weather.
When is the best season to travel to Okinawa? The important thing is whether the weather is clear or not. If you are planning to visit the main island of Okinawa, October is the best month to go swimming and get a relatively good price! We explain in detail the 10 reasons why October is especially recommended in terms of weather, sightseeing, and cost. This is a must-see before planning a trip to Okinawa! By the way, what about Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island?
The more you look into it, the more incomprehensible it becomes, so it is better not to think too much about it! Travel when you want to go. Just pray that it will be fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is typhoon season in Okinawa?
Typhoon season is mainly from June to October, with typhoons especially frequent in August and September.
When is the month with the most typhoons in Okinawa?
August and September are the most frequent months for typhoons, with more approaching Okinawa Prefecture. Travelers should exercise caution.
When are the months with fewer typhoons?
The months with fewer typhoons are April through the first half of June and November. These months are relatively calm and are recommended for travel.
If a typhoon approaches Okinawa, how long will I be affected?
The effects of a typhoon can last for several days, but in the case of a powerful typhoon, the effects can continue for up to a week after it leaves.
What will happen to tourist attractions in Okinawa if a typhoon occurs?
Many tourist destinations are closed during typhoons, and staying in hotels and accommodations is recommended. Safety should be your first priority.
What should I do if my flight is cancelled due to a typhoon?
If your flight is canceled or delayed due to a typhoon, follow the instructions of the airline to arrange for a replacement flight or complete cancellation procedures.
We have compiled a list of useful free websites and apps for Okinawa travelers, including traffic information, weather, typhoon routes, and more. We have compiled information such as airplane operation status, monorail and bus operation status, hazard maps due to natural disasters, and power outage status in Okinawa Prefecture. We hope you have a safe and efficient trip.
summary
A review of the data shows that typhoon season from July to September is also a time when the number of travelers to Okinawa increases.Avoiding July-September means avoiding not only typhoons but also the high season for travel to Okinawa!The cost of a trip to Okinawa will be much lower (especially during the Bon and New Year holidays). This would make sightseeing easier with relatively fewer tourists, and avoiding the high season would also make the cost of a trip to Okinawa much lower (especially expensive during the Obon and year-end and New Year holidays).
Contributor Profile
- Okinawa travel media "OKIBRA" has been happily operated since 2020 by Kazunari, a computer geek, and Son-chan, an anime & food lover! They love Okinawa so much that they have visited more than 50 hotels and 500 restaurants in the prefecture, and they share the charms of Okinawa on Instagram and on the web. We will bring you the charms of Okinawa that you can't find anywhere else, from the unique perspective of a husband and wife team!
Latest Posts
jangriaFebruary 20, 2025Latest in 2025 & already stayed [5 recommended hotels close to Jangria] within 30 minutes drive.
jangriaFebruary 18, 2025Ticket sales summary for Jangria Okinawa (latest as of February 2025)
accommodationsFebruary 16, 2025The Complete Guide to Choosing an "Ocean View Hotel" in Okinawa｜8 Tips for Finding an Inn with an Ocean View
rent-a-carFebruary 10, 2025Okinawa Car Rental Coupons & Offers] List of recommended sites to use for comparison.
