View Details"My Okinawa trip is coming up soon!" What would you do if a typhoon formed right then? We’ve put together a [Guide to Dealing with Typhoons] that we highly recommend anyone planning a trip to Okinawa during the summer typhoon season read. We’ll discuss when to cancel or reschedule your trip as a typhoon approaches.
Let's learn what to do when a typhoon forms. That way, even if a typhoon approaches, you'll be able to respond calmly.
Typhoon Season in Okinawa
Number of Typhoons Formed in the Past 5 Years (Number Approaching Okinawa)
The numbers in parentheses indicate the closest values to those for Okinawa.
| Month\Year | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1 (0) | 0.3 (0) | |||||
| February | 1 (0) | 1 (0) | 0.3 (0) | ||||
| March | 0.3 (0) | ||||||
| April | 1 (0) | 2 (0) | 1 (1) | 0.6 (0) | |||
| May | 2 (1) | 1 (1)* | 1 (0) | 1 (0) | 1.0 (0.4) | ||
| June | 1 (2)* | 1 (0) | 2 (1) | 1 (0) | 1 (0) | 1.6 (0.6) | |
| July | 2 (1) | 3 (1)* | 3 (2)* | 3 (1) | 4 (1) | 3.7 (1.5) | |
| August | 6 (1) | 6 (1)* | 5 (2)* | 4 (3) | 8 (4)* | 5 (1) | 5.7 (2.2) |
| September | ー | 2 (2) | 7 (4)* | 4 (1) | 3 (2)* | 6 (3)* | 5.0 (1.9) |
| October | ー | 2 (1) | 5 (0) | 4 (0) | 6 (1) | 4 (2)* | 3.5 (1.1) |
| November | ー | 1 (0) | 1 (0) | 3 (0) | 6 (1) | 2.2 (0.3) | |
| December | ー | 1 (0) | 1 (0) | 1 (0) | 1 (0) | 1 (0) | 1.0 (0) |
| Total | 10 (3) | 17 (6) | 25 (6) | 22 (7) | 23 (6) | 29 (7) | 25.1 (7.7) |
1. Approaching Okinawa Prefecture: The center of the typhoon is approaching Naha, Nago, Kumejima, Miyakojima, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima,
This refers to entering within 300 km of a meteorological office or similar facility on either Yonaguni Island or Minami-Daito Island. The number in parentheses indicates the number of times the system has approached Okinawa Prefecture.
2. “*” If a typhoon approaches during two months, it is counted in both months. The number of approaching typhoons may differ between the monthly total and the annual total.
3. The "Average" column on the far right shows the average values from 1991 to 2020.
[Before Departure] If a Typhoon Approaches Okinawa
The important thing is,Whether each airline has announced “special measures due to inclement weather” or “flight cancellations”。
To put it another way, unless the airline announces that a flight has been "canceled" or that "rebooking is available," you should head to the airport.
If you decide not to go to the airport or cancel your trip on your own initiative—such as by saying, “It doesn’t look like I’ll be able to enjoy my trip to Okinawa because of the typhoon”—before the airline makes an official announcement, it is extremely likely that you will be charged a cancellation fee.
[During Your Stay / Last Day] If a Typhoon Approaches Okinawa
If it looks like a typhoon is likely to approach while you're in Okinawa, follow the airline's announcements. If you can board a rescheduled flight earlier than your originally scheduled return flight, "it's better to head home sooner." It will definitely get crowded later on.
Please note that the procedures may vary depending on the type of airline ticket you purchased.
ANA All Nippon Airways
For customers participating in a tour who meet any of the following conditions, such as inclement weather,
You can make a flight change (reservation change) from one ANA flight to another on the same route online.
ANA Official Website
JAL Japan Airlines
Even if your ticket was purchased at a fare that does not allow reservation changes, if a flight is canceled due to force majeure—such as a typhoon or heavy snowfall—you may change your reservation to one of our flights with available seats.
If you wish to cancel your trip, we will refund the unused portion of your airline ticket.
JAL Official Website
Skymark
If a flight is delayed by 60 minutes or more or canceled due to inclement weather, or if operational disruptions are anticipated (such as the possibility of weather checks, return flights, or destination changes), we will take the following measures at your request.
Skymark Official Website
Peach
For reservations on flights that have been canceled or are significantly delayed, we will provide a rebooking or refund, regardless of the fare type.
If a single reservation number covers multiple segments, all segments for which the scheduled departure time has not yet passed at the time a flight is canceled or significantly delayed are eligible for rebooking or a refund.
Peach Official Website
Jetstar
Support for Customers with Booked Flights That Have Been Delayed or Canceled
For customers with reservations for flights that have been significantly delayed or canceled, we will take the following actions: (1) Re-book you on a subsequent Jetstar flight; (2) Issue a refund.
Jetstar Official Website
Policy on Cancellations Due to Typhoons, etc.
| Item | Contents |
|---|---|
| Airline Tickets | Unless there's an announcement that the flight has been canceled, head to the airport for now. In the event of a flight cancellation, no cancellation fee will be charged, and a refund or rescheduling will be provided (though the specific arrangements may vary depending on the ticket type). For package tours, if a flight is canceled, a refund will be issued or arrangements will be made on a case-by-case basis. |
| Accommodations | Regardless of whether the flight is canceled, it is highly likely that no cancellation fee will be charged (depending on the plan). Please check with the hotel, as policies may vary by hotel. |
| Car Rental | Regardless of whether the flight is canceled, it is highly likely that no cancellation fee will be charged. Please confirm this, as procedures may vary by company. |
| Activities | In the event of a typhoon, it is highly likely that no cancellation fee will be charged. Please confirm this, as procedures may vary by company. |
As a general rule, no cancellation fees apply when flights are canceled due to typhoons or similar events.
As for hotels and activities, cancellation fees are highly unlikely to apply—either in accordance with the airline's announcement or regardless of whether a flight cancellation has been announced (be sure to check).
If you made your reservation through a travel agency, contact the travel agency. If you made your reservation directly with an airline, contact the airline.
Even if you made your reservation through Rakuten, Jalan, or similar sites, you can cancel online; however, if you have any concerns, please check with the airline, hotel, or activity provider.
It often happens that the phone lines and website are so busy that you can't get through.
Be sure to write down each company's phone number in advance and follow the airlines on social media.
How to Enjoy Okinawa During Typhoons and Bad Weather
If you find yourself in the path of a storm, it's best to relax at your lodging.
Many places will close once they are directly in the path of the storm or within the gale-force wind zone. It is dangerous to go outside unnecessarily due to strong winds and heavy rain.
