Tips · Japan
Okinawa over Lunar New Year 2027: February Trip Prep
Okinawa over the Seollal 2027 holiday: February normals, what to pack, the guide's 4-day road trip, getting around, budget and a pre-trip checklist.
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Okinawa over Seollal: what February is like
Seollal (Lunar New Year's Day) falls on Sunday 7 February 2027 (Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute lunar calendar); check the government's official announcement for the holiday period. Bookings for flights and rooms can pile up over a holiday, so check early.
Winter (December-February) in Okinawa is too cool for swimming but fine for sightseeing. A February trip works best built around the aquarium, World Heritage sites, coastal drives and walks in central Naha rather than beach swimming.
The guide recommends 4 to 5 days with a rental car, because outside central Naha the sights are spread across the island. For a short holiday, follow the guide's 4-day plan as it is, and add one more day if you have it.
February weather and what to wear
Japan Meteorological Agency normals for Naha station (1991–2020, rounded) give February an average high of 20°C and low of 15°C. January and March are listed below for context. Normals are long-term averages, not a forecast, so check the weather forecast before you go.
With lows around 15°C, light clothes work for the day, plus a thin layer for mornings and evenings. The sun is intense in Okinawa, so pack sunscreen and a hat too.
- January: average high 20°C · low 15°C · precipitation 102 mm
- February: average high 20°C · low 15°C · precipitation 115 mm
- March: average high 22°C · low 17°C · precipitation 143 mm
Check before February: Shuri Castle, ferries, tax-free
Shuri Castle Park is the former castle of the Ryukyu Kingdom, rebuilt after a 2019 fire. The main hall is scheduled to open to the public from November 23, 2026, with advance reservations for the interior. Check the official site for what's open and how to book.
Islands such as the Kerama group are reached by boat from Naha port. Sailings can be cancelled in bad weather, so keep your plans flexible if you want to visit.
Some small eateries and markets are cash only. Japan's tax-free shopping switches to a pay-first, refund-at-departure system from November 2026, so check official information. If you want to plan around a February festival or event, check official tourism information before you go.
Days 1-2: the south and Sefa-utaki, then the aquarium and Kouri Island
Day 1: from Naha Airport, take a shuttle bus to a rental office nearby (about 10-20 min). Offices get busy in peak season, so book ahead. Then head to the quieter south (around Nanjo) for sea views and Sefa-utaki, a UNESCO World Heritage site considered the Ryukyu Kingdom's most sacred place. Visit quietly. Have dinner around Kokusai-dori in Naha.
Day 2: drive north. In the morning, visit Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, famous for whale sharks and manta rays; go early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds. In the afternoon, cross the long Kouri Bridge to Kouri Island. The Motobu Peninsula is about two hours' drive from the airport, so stay the night in Motobu or Onna.
Days 3-4 and a fifth day: Cape Manzamo, sunset, Shuri
Day 3: see Cape Manzamo, the cliff shaped like an elephant's trunk, in the morning, then spend the afternoon at a beach or resort. Winter is too cool for swimming, so treat beach time as time for the views. At sunset, walk the seaside promenade at American Village in Chatan.
Day 4: visit Shuri Castle Park in the morning (check what's open). Most rentals must be returned with a full tank, so refuel before heading to the airport.
With 5 days, add a day trip by ferry from Naha to the Kerama Islands. Boats may not run in bad weather, so keep the day flexible enough to swap in central Naha sights such as Kokusai-dori.
Getting around and budget
A rental car is the standard way to explore Okinawa. Japan drives on the left with the steering wheel on the right, so take extra care at roundabouts and right turns. Most foreign drivers need an International Driving Permit alongside their home license and passport; check the rules for your country before you go.
Without a car in Naha, the Yui Rail monorail is easiest: from Naha Airport Station to Kencho-mae or Makishi near Kokusai-dori takes about 13-16 min for about 300 yen, and IC cards work. Buses to the north are infrequent and slow, so day bus tours that bundle sights are easier. Taxis suit short hops in Naha, but long rides north get expensive.
The guide's daily budgets per person are about 7,000-9,000 yen (guesthouse, monorail, buses), about 18,000-24,000 yen (hotel, restaurants, shared rental car) and about 45,000 yen+ (beach resort, agu pork dinners). According to a Japan Tourism Agency survey (2025), foreign leisure travellers visiting Okinawa Prefecture spent an average of about ¥121,000 per person per visit (excluding travel between prefectures). This is the average for all of Okinawa Prefecture, not just this city. Actual costs vary widely with itinerary and accommodation.
Pre-trip checklist
Holiday dates are hard to move, so check your rental car and accommodation early. Run through the list below, and see the posts linked here for a more detailed route and car-free options.
- Holiday period: check the government's official announcement
- Entry requirements: check official information before you go
- International Driving Permit, passport and home license
- Book the rental car and accommodation early
- A thin layer, sunscreen and a hat
- Shuri Castle Park: check what's open and advance reservations
- Cash for small eateries and markets; check official information on the tax-free change
Plan your Okinawa trip
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FAQ
Can I swim in the sea in Okinawa in February?
Winter (December-February) is too cool for swimming but fine for sightseeing. Plan around the aquarium, World Heritage sites and drives.
When is Seollal in 2027?
Seollal (Lunar New Year's Day) falls on Sunday 7 February 2027 (Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute lunar calendar); check the government's official announcement for the holiday period.
Can I get around without a rental car?
In Naha, the Yui Rail monorail links the airport, central Naha and Shuri, so you can manage without a car. Buses to the north are infrequent and slow, so day bus tours are easier.
How much should I budget?
The guide's daily budgets per person range from about 7,000-9,000 yen to about 18,000-24,000 yen and about 45,000 yen+, depending on where you stay and how you travel. Costs vary widely with itinerary and accommodation.
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ⓘ Photo credits
- Longshan Temple, Taipei · xiquinhosilva / CC BY 2.0