Spring in Okinawa: Flowers, Festivals & Animals

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Spring season in Okinawa is beaming with bright colours and life. With annual festivals that draw the crowds, a multitude of flowers and plants coming back to life, and animals migrating through, there is a lot to see.

Spring is one of my favourite seasons around the world and Okinawa is not different. It’s warm, but not extremely humid yet. There’s a festival or event almost every weekend so you’ll never be able to say you’re bored (unless it rains since all the festivals are outside).

So, let’s take a look at the Spring season in Okinawa so you can better prepare for your upcoming trip to Japan.

Country:	Japan
Currency:	Japanese Yen / JPY
Do you need a visa to visit as tourists?	Check here

Don’t forget to get travel insurance to cover you if something bad happens. One company I have personal experience with is Safety Wing. Not everyone needs the same coverage, so make sure you get a personalised quote that suits you and your trip plans.

When is Spring in Okinawa?

So because Okinawa is made up a group of islands to the south of the Japanese mainland, spring is earlier here than the rest of the country.

Spring flowers and trees can often be spotted sprouting as early as January, whereas other parts of Japan think of spring as late March. This is largely due to Okinawa’s tropical climate and warming up much earlier.

Cherry Blossoms are the peak of spring in Okinawa

There are multiple places to see the blooming cherry blossoms here in Okinawa. Unlike the rest of the country, which often sees the sakura appear in April, Okinawa is the first to see them as early as late January each year. You’ll have the opportunity to travel to a few parks across the island that have cherry blossom trees on display, and there are a few small festivals held to welcome the pink flowers annually.

The most famous of the sites is the Nakijin Castle cherry blossom festival as it combines a historical castle from the Ryukyu Kingdom with the bright pink flowers that attracts tourists to Japan.

You can expect to see cherry blossoms between late January and mid-February each year for around 3 weeks.

Here are a few locations that you can head to, to see them for yourself:

• Mt Yaedake
• Yaedake Sakuranomori Park
• Nakijin Castle
• Nago Castle Site
• Nago Central Park Cherry Blossom Site
• Kakazu Takadai (Hilltop) Park
• Yaese Park
• Manko Lake Park

Tulip festival every Spring in Motobu, Okinawa

Location: 424番地 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0206

Each year, for just a few short weeks of spring here in Okinawa, you’ll have the chance to visit the vibrant tulip fields. It’s like stepping into a Dutch fairytale with rows of brightly coloured petals spanning the entire park. At the Ocean Expo Park (which is right next door to Churaumi Aquarium), an annual event is hosted for visitors to enjoy these springtime flowers and really appreciate the beauty of these famous flowers.

If you’re wondering what to expect when you visit, it could be good to know that there are around 80,000 tulips located at the Expo Park every year. It really is a breathtaking sight and a fun day out!

2026 dates: TBC but estimated between late January and early March

Admission cost: roughly 760 JPY (3.98 GBP)

Cosmo Wildflower Fields – Multiple locations

Wildflowers are exactly as the name suggests, flowers that grow wildly in random locations throughout the island. Here in Okinawa, most wildflowers are pink and purple and often draw a crowd of people wanting to enjoy the spring season and take photos. There are only a handful of places to see the cosmos on the island, some are much smaller fields than we’d probably like, but they’re still worth visiting!

If you head to the field in Yomitan, you’ll even get to enjoy a large “Yomitan” sign too to add a little extra colour to your photos. You can expect to see most of these cosmos bloom from late January to the end of February.

• Yomitan Cosmos Flower Field
• Haneji Cosmos Flower Field
• Namisato Cosmos Field:
• Nishihara Cosmos Flower Field
• Igei Cosmos Fields

Blue Iris Flower field – Kijoka Okinawa in Spring

Location: Kijoka, Ogimi Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-1303

The small village of Kijoka, which is also home to one of the most spiritual waterfalls on the island (You can check out the post about my visit here) is also known for 2 small iris fields. Each spring here in Okinawa, blue and purple iris flowers bloom from late March until late April, and they are always a pretty sight to see, showcasing their blue petals for 2-3 weeks.

Since it is such a small village, there isn’t much else to do in the area except enjoy the waterfall, eat at some of the small local restaurants and marvel at the tropical mountain landscape of the island.

Lily Festival – Ie Island

Location: 3087 Higashieue, Ie, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0501

Every April, the Lily festival at Lily Flower Park showcases over 100 variations of lilies and a sea of vibrant colours. The event usually spans over 7-10 days and is one of the most popular events on the Island. The lilies at the festival are in multiple colours and offer fantastic photo opportunities when you stand near the rainbow field of petals.

With many people opting to stay on Ie island overnight to avoid rushing, you can enjoy a mini “staycation” away from the Big Island after the Lily Festival.

You can only get to Ie Island by ferry from Motobu Port, and you can check the schedule and ticket prices here.

Humpback Whale Migration

Location: Keramas Islands

Every year between late December and late April, whale sharks migrate through the the stunning blue waters of Keramashoto National Park (also known as the Keramas Islands).

With multiple tour opportunites allowing you to see these gentle giants in Okinawa, you’ll find something that suits your needs in the best way. Whether you choose to snorkel near them in the ocean, or watch then safely from a boat, you’ll get a great chance to spend some time watching them swim.

Hammerhead Shark Migration

Location: Yonaguni Island

Although technically they migrate through winter and spring, I didn’t want to forget about the Hammerhead migration that takes them past Yonaguni Island. Travelling from late November through to April, you’ll get the chance to see 100s of hammerheads swimming in schools through the crystal clear waters of the island.

You will need a dive certification to be able to join a tour, but it is 100% worth the opportunity. These scary giants often look majestic, while minding their own business as you get up close and personal to their migration journey.