Are there cherry blossoms in Okinawa? Anyone who knows a little bit about Japan knows that Okinawa is the first place in Japan where cherry blossoms bloom. The earliest cherry blossoms in Japan start from Okinawa and go all the way north to the main island of Japan. As the southernmost point of Japan, Okinawa starts the romantic declaration of cherry blossoms in late January every year, and it reaches Hokkaido and the Tohoku region only in May, thus forming a "cherry blossom front" from the north to the south, and wrapping up the whole of Japan with the gentle pink color. Here is our travel guide to the Okinawa cherry blossom 2026. As the cherry blossom festival in Okinawa is approaching, lose no time to contact our travel experts to tailor your itinerary for your private Sakura Okinawa tour 2026 now.
Table of Contents
1. Okinawa Sakura Forecast 2026
2. Best Spots to View Okinawa Cherry Blossoms 2026
3. Recommended Itinerary to Enjoy Cherry Blossom Okinawa 2026
4. Other Things to Do in Okinawa 2026 Besides Seeing Sakura
5. Why a Private Tour Is Best for Sakura Season Okinawa 2026
6. 5-Star Trustpilot Reviews for Our Private Guided Okinawa Trips
1. The Best Time to See Sakura Okinawa 2026
When do cherry blossoms bloom in Okinawa 2026? The traditional cherry blossom season in Japan runs from late March to mid-April, but due to the high temperatures in Okinawa, the Okinawa Sakura season starts on the main island in late January, and it is the earliest cherry blossom to bloom in all of Japan, according to the Cherry Blossom Schedule Japan. However, it is amazing that the local Sakura in Okinawa blooms in the opposite order, from north to south. The reason for this is that the Okinawa cherry blossom belongs to the species of cold Himura cherry blossoms, which usually bloom in the cold early spring, plus the low latitude and high temperature of Okinawa, the cherry blossoms need to reach a certain low temperature, so the Okinawa cherry blossom season starts from the northern foothills, and it takes one or two weeks for them to fill up the whole island. Currently, according to the related information online about the Okinawa cherry blossom forecast 2026, the best time to enjoy the cherry blossom festival Okinawa may be from 24th January to 17th February, the actual blooming date of the Okinawa Sakura 2026 may be affected by the local climate and weather.
Unlike the pink cherry blossoms commonly seen in Kanto regions like Tokyo and Chūgoku region, Okinawa's cold Himura cherry blossoms are darker in color, especially in the heart of the flower, and when in bloom the petals face downward like long bells strung on a string, making them very dynamic during the best time to appreciate the cherry blossom in Okinawa.
●Here are our best Japan tours 2026 with the Okinawa itinerary. Just check out the following and feel free to contact us to adjust the details based on your interests, ensuring you enjoy the wonderful Okinawa Japan Cherry Blossom Festival 2026.
14 Days Tokyo - Mt.fuji - Hakone - Kyoto - Osaka - Nara - Okinawa - Onna - Naha Tour
14 days | From $ 7167
Okinawa 7 Days Naha - Onna Tour
7 days | From $ 3076
12 Days Tokyo - Hakone - Mt.Fuji - Okinawa - Onna - Naha Tour
12 days | From $ 5588
2. Best Places to Enjoy the Okinawa Cherry Blossom Festival 2026
The most direct way for locals to enjoy Okinawa Sakura is to hold cherry blossom festivals in various places, where people sit on the ground, admire the blossoms, drink, and feel the spring in the form of a party. There are so many places suitable to view cherry blossoms Okinawa 2026, including Yaese Park, Nakijin Castle Ruins, Mount Yae, Nago Castle Park, Nago Central Park, Yogi Park, etc.
Nakijin Castle Ruins
Best Viewing Time for Nakijin Castle Cherry Blossom 2026 during Okinawa Sakura Season: 1/28 - 2/12
Address: 5101 Imadomari, Nakijin, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0428, Japan
Opening Hours: Closed at 18:00 PM
Phone: +81 980-56-4400
There are many Sakura viewing spots in Japan, but do you know where to see cherry blossoms in Okinawa 2026? The most famous spots to see cherry blossom in Okinawa 2026 are Yaeze Park and Nakijin Castle Ruins. Nakijin Castle Ruins in Okinawa has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site of the Kingdom of the Ryukyus and Associated Heritage Groups.
The first time visiting Nakijin Castle Ruins, you will be surprised that there is no heavy traffic outside of this famous World Heritage site, but it looks more like a scene from Miyazaki's animation: Japanese gardens full of classical flavors, flowers, and grasses growing quietly along the roadside, and occasional elderly people sitting in the courtyard and soaking up the sun. Even though the entire station is covered by the branches of Okinawa cherry blossom trees, it looks very quiet and peaceful.
Although the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the most eye-catching of the Nakijin Castle Ruins is the nighttime cherry blossoms, where brightly colored lights illuminate the entire wall as if it were a dream, highlighting the soft side of Okinawa. A large number of Okinawa cherry blossom trees are planted on both sides of the steps of the walled passageway, and the whole city is bathed in a sea of blossoms.
Standing at a high place, you can see the vast ocean, and the majestic momentum and gentle Okinawa cherry blossoms blend seamlessly into one.
Of course, the Nakijin Castle Ruins Cherry Blossom Festival is always filled with performances, such as the Okinawan traditional folklore Taiko Odori (drum dance), the performance of the Nakijin Castle Ruins, and the Ryukyo-shiki (Ryukyu costume) experience, which adds a lot of fun to the cherry blossom season Okinawa.
3. Recommended Itinerary for Okinawa Japan Cherry Blossom Festival 2026
Admiring the cherry blossom Okinawa is one of the best things to do in Japan in January. The viewing spots of Sakura in Okinawa 2026 are basically all located in remote areas in the northern part of the island that are not directly accessible by public transportation. They are close to scenic spots such as the Aquarium and Kouri Island. For those who are not yet able to drive by themselves, chartering a car is the most convenient and time-saving way to get there. According to the Okinawa cherry blossom 2026 schedule, our suggested itinerary is as follows: visiting the aquarium is the main route, together with the cherry blossom viewing attractions.
Reference itinerary to enjoy Okinawa Sakura season 2026:
Parent-child tour: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Nago Castle Park, Neo Park
Regular Route: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Nakijin Castle Ruins, Kouri Island
If you hope for more ideas to enjoy the cherry blossom season Japan 2026, you can also check out our Japan Sakura tour inspirations, both a 2-week Japan itinerary cherry blossom and a 1-week Japan cherry blossom itinerary are available.
4. More Things to Do in Okinawa During Cherry Blossom Season Okinawa 2026
There are also more fun things to do in Okinawa in addition to viewing the Sakura in Okinawa during the Japan cherry blossom festival 2026 in early Spring. Let's find out them in the following:
●Soaking in the Unique Sea Salt Hot Spring
How can you miss hot spring hotels in Okinawa when you plan your cherry blossom tour? Even though there are so many hot springs in Japan, the sea salt hot springs in Okinawa are unique and popular among tourists. We recommend two of the most popular hot spring hotels in Okinawa: the Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel and the Loisir Naha Hotel. Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel is 20 minutes south of Naha City airport; it is a resort-style hotel where you need to take a taxi to get out. You can watch the sunset while soaking in the hot spring. Loisir Naha Hotel is a city resort hotel in Naha, the only hotel in Naha with ocean view rooms, and it is 15 minutes from Asahibashi LRT station. Just enjoy your stay here during the Naha Cherry Blossom Festival 2026.
●Watching Whale: A Limited Activity in Okinawa in Winter
In winter, Okinawa has another special fun in addition to enjoying the Sakura season Okinawa, and that is watching whales! From late December to early April, humpback whales swim back to the Keiranuma Sea in Okinawa. For up to four months, they will play and breed here. During this time, the whales' huge bodies, which are usually hard to see, can only be witnessed in the waters of Okinawa! Winter is a great time to watch whales in Okinawa! You can feel the power and elegance of the whales as they leap, flip, and flap with their 30-40 ton bodies in the sea.
●Enjoying Okinawa's Most Popular Winter Food during the Cherry Blossom Festival Okinawa 2026
A trip to Okinawa 2026 during the cherry blossom season is not complete without the presence of local food. What's the most popular food among Okinawan locals in winter? Let's take a look at each of them!
Japanese Shabu-Shabu (しゃぶしゃぶ)
Recommended Restaurant: Onosai (おんやさい)!
Yakiniku (焼き肉)
Recommended Restaurant: Yakiniku Kotchan Yakiniku Kengo (焼肉こっち 焼き肉キング)
Japanese Izakaya: Awamori Sake and Seafood
Recommended Restaurant: Mirazan-tei (美らさん亭), Ginjiro Meguri (目利きの銀次郎)
5. Okinawa Cherry Blossoms 2026: Why Go Private
Planning to catch Japan’s first cherry blossoms of the year in Okinawa? Here’s why going with a private guided tour isn’t just convenient—it’s a total game-changer. Just see why our private guided tour makes all the difference during the Okinawa cherry blossom 2026 dates:
Stress-Free Travel from Start to Finish
Unlike the mainland, public transport in Okinawa isn’t always easy to navigate. With your own private guide and driver, you won’t have to worry about bus routes or car rentals. Just sit back and enjoy the scenic island views.
More Time for What You Love
Your schedule is your own—no group waiting, no rushing through places you care about. Want to spend an extra hour under the sakura trees at Nakijin Castle? Go for it.
Hidden Spots & Local Culture
Okinawa isn’t just cherry blossoms. Your guide knows where to find hidden photo ops, local food stalls, and lesser-known sights that big tours skip. They’ll also give you a deeper look at Okinawan culture, from Ryukyu history to local festivals.
Personal Touches All the Way
From helping you book that seaside ryokan to recommending the best local izakaya for dinner, everything is customized based on what you want. Got kids? We’ll slow the pace. Traveling as a couple? We’ll make it romantic.
Ready to see Okinawa’s sakura in the most relaxing and personalized way possible? Let's plan your private cherry blossom escape—your way.
6. What Guests Say About Our Okinawa Private Tours on Trustpilot
Still wondering if a private guided tour is worth it for your Okinawa sakura trip? Don't just take our word for it—here's what real travelers had to say after enjoying a memorable trip to Okinawa with us. These are 100% verified reviews from happy guests on Trustpilot.
#Review 1: "Terrific Japan Vacation with Ume Travel"
-★★★★★ June Monrad, US (Travel Date: June 13, 2024)
“We just returned from a fabulous trip to Japan planned by Steven Hu at UME Travel. Our 20 days included a 4-day beach vacation in Okinawa and 16 days visiting iconic Japan sites. The beauty of using a personal guide and driver is the ease of being driven right to the hotel front door or temple entrance. The whole experience was smooth, thoughtful, and incredibly personal. I would not hesitate to travel with them again.”
#Review 2: "Constantly saved my Japan trip"
-★★★★★ Christopher Driscoll, US (Travel Date: May 4, 2024)
"Dan, my travel agent, did a phenomenal job. I had a documentation issue just before flying to Japan, and Dan managed to pull the whole itinerary together within days. When I mistakenly ended up in Osaka instead of flying to Okinawa, he saved the day again—getting me a new flight just in time! My Okinawa trip was amazing thanks to his constant support."
Loved what they shared? We'd love to help you experience Okinawa in the same personal, stress-free way. Contact us to start customizing your trip.
What We'd Like to Say
In fact, Okinawa not only features the earliest cherry blossoms in Japan, but when you visit Okinawa, you will find that the whole island is full of a special atmosphere, as it still maintains a strong traditional culture, and does not seem to be eroded by modern civilization. And in the local people's life market, there are lined up stores that are full of Southeast Asia style, and even tropical island style. No wonder even the Japanese people also think Okinawa seems to be a self-contained island. If you are looking for an island in Japan where sunny beaches and cherry blossoms coexist, this relatively conservative and quiet island will indescribably satisfy you during the Okinawa cherry blossom season. Contact us to tailor your personalized Japan tour to enjoy the fantastic cherry blossom festival in Okinawa 2026!