| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
weigookin74
Joined: 30 Mar 2010
Posts: 265
|
 Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 12:28 am Post subject: How's Okinawa in winter? |
 |
|
How's Okinawa in winter, specifically January? I've read average high temps are 18 to 20 degrees Celcius and the water temperatures are around 21 or 22 degrees Celcius. I'm from eastern Canada, so I can tolerate cooler temps. Any day above 20 or 21 is t shirt weather and water temps above 20's is good enough for a swim. Just need to know if some days are warmer than this as the temps I read are listed as an "average". Any dangers like crazy jellyfish, sharks, etc? Do the Japanese chase after you down there and tell you that you can't go in the water - don't do this, don't do that, blah blah blah. Also, is it an easy place to rent a bicycle and ride around the island or even rent a car?
I get the impression that Okinawa is borderline sub tropical. Is it sunny and warm in winter or is it cloudy and rainy? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
kzjohn
Joined: 30 Apr 2014
Posts: 277
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TokyoLiz
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1548
Location: Tokyo, Japan
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 9:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
Last December I spent a few days there. December can see big storms, but it is definitely tshirt weather most days.
I biked around Zamami and it was warm and overcast.
Snorkeling was good, but you need a wet suit. The water is warmer than the air temperature.
My Okinawan resident friends tell me that the cherry trees begin to blossom in February.
Be kind to sea turtle nests. Don't walk on the beach when the eggs are incubating. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Pitarou
Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 1116
Location: Narita, Japan
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 9:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
I second what TokyoLiz said.
If you're a cold-hardened North European, Okinawa is a wonderful place to visit at Christmas and New Year. The temperature is low enough to keep the Japanese crowds away, but still comfortable for you. You get the whole beach to yourself. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
weigookin74
Joined: 30 Mar 2010
Posts: 265
|
| Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 4:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah, I read the links before and another one stating the sea temps were warmer than that in the low 20's. So, I wanted to know how it is in January. I see average highs outdoors of 17 but wondered if some days were higher than this into the low 20's.
Anyways, thank for answering everyone. Yes, I am cold hardend from eastern Canada.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rxk22
Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1629
|
| Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 10:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Seriously? That answer is rude and obnoxious. I would have to say that posting a link to a weather site is pretty unhelpful, as that really doesn't give one a clear picture.
Take Tokyo, to me anything above freezing isn't that cold. In Japan though, the humidity, and marine air make even 8-10c feel very cold. I found the weather reports and such to be of little use, before I got here and experienced it for myself. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
weigookin74
Joined: 30 Mar 2010
Posts: 265
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
| rxk22 wrote: |
Seriously? That answer is rude and obnoxious. I would have to say that posting a link to a weather site is pretty unhelpful, as that really doesn't give one a clear picture.
Take Tokyo, to me anything above freezing isn't that cold. In Japan though, the humidity, and marine air make even 8-10c feel very cold. I found the weather reports and such to be of little use, before I got here and experienced it for myself. |
Is it pretty damp in winter in Japan much of the time and in most places or just a few? I found some rural places near some mountain areas were damp in winter at night when I lived in SK and it drove me b@ t $h!t crazy. Then ,I moved to another town an hour away in a flatter place the winters were much more dry.
You know minus 20 with dry air at night feels a whole lot better than minus 5 and damp. Trust me on that if you've never experienced the two. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Maitoshi
Joined: 04 May 2014
Posts: 718
Location: 何処でも
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
Isn't it ice at minus 5?
Most of the time, stores/trains/homes are so hot that I sweat during winter. That causes real trouble when I go outside to get from one place to another.
What I can't understand is why we all need to sweat during the summer (so-called "cool biz" with thermostats set at 28 C) and why it's okay to set thermostats as high as you want during winter. Put on a sweater for heck's sake! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rxk22
Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1629
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 10:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| weigookin74 wrote: |
Is it pretty damp in winter in Japan much of the time and in most places or just a few? I found some rural places near some mountain areas were damp in winter at night when I lived in SK and it drove me b@ t $h!t crazy. Then ,I moved to another town an hour away in a flatter place the winters were much more dry.
You know minus 20 with dry air at night feels a whole lot better than minus 5 and damp. Trust me on that if you've never experienced the two. |
Marine air can be really terrible in the winter. In Korea, I am not sure what is causes the damp air, but I imagine it is pretty awful in the winter as well.
I honestly think that -20c and dry feels less terrible than 5c and damp. It just cuts right through you. While the dry cold, warm clothing pretty much makes it tolerable.
And exercising in the damp cold is awful. There is no greater "I wanna go watch TV" weather than it |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rxk22
Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1629
|
| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 10:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Maitoshi wrote: |
Isn't it ice at minus 5?
Most of the time, stores/trains/homes are so hot that I sweat during winter. That causes real trouble when I go outside to get from one place to another.
What I can't understand is why we all need to sweat during the summer (so-called "cool biz" with thermostats set at 28 C) and why it's okay to set thermostats as high as you want during winter. Put on a sweater for heck's sake! |
I never got the really hot stores/work places during the winter, while during the summer, well too bad. It seems like Japan still views AC as a luxury, while heating is something to be expected? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nightsintodreams
Joined: 18 May 2010
Posts: 558
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
I've never understood people who make these sort of claims about Japan. In my experience almost everywhere has air con in summer and adequate heating in winter.
The only exception I can think of is that of public schools. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Maitoshi
Joined: 04 May 2014
Posts: 718
Location: 何処でも
|
| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 2:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
| nightsintodreams wrote: |
I've never understood people who make these sort of claims about Japan. In my experience almost everywhere has air con in summer and adequate heating in winter.
The only exception I can think of is that of public schools. |
Actually, I usually complain about overuse of the heater quite a bit more than overuse of air conditioning, which is rarely a problem. I'd rather have some serious fans going than use the airconditioner unless it's set to 26 C at least. 28 C is stifling and only seems to serve in removing humidity from a room. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
