Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Okinawa During “Summer-Like” Weather — Even Plum Blossoms Joined In

When most people think of Japan’s cherry blossoms, they imagine springtime in March or April. But in Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost prefecture, the seasons play by very different rules.

On January 18, 2026, the Okinawa Meteorological Observatory announced something unusual: cherry blossoms and plum blossoms both officially bloomed on the same day.

🌸 Cherry Blossoms in January?

The cherry blossoms observed were Kanhizakura (寒緋桜), a variety unique to southern Japan. Unlike the pale pink blossoms seen in Tokyo or Kyoto, Okinawa’s cherry blossoms are:

• Deep pink in color
• Bell-shaped and facing downward
• Blooming as early as mid-January

The blossoms were confirmed at Sueyoshi Park in Naha City, where 5–6 flowers had opened — the official standard for declaring the start of the cherry blossom season.

Interestingly, this year’s bloom was:

• 2 days later than the average year
• 13 days later than last year

🌼 Plum Blossoms Bloomed the Same Day

On the very same day, officials also confirmed the blooming of plum blossoms at Fukushu-en Garden in downtown Naha.

• 5 days later than the seasonal average
• 11 days later than last year

While cherry and plum blossoms usually bloom at different times, their simultaneous announcement is considered quite rare.

☀️ Summer Temperatures in the Middle of Winter

What makes this story even more surprising is the weather.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency:

• Miyakojima recorded 25.4°C (77.7°F) on January 17
• Daytime highs around 24°C (75°F) were expected across Okinawa on January 18

In other words, Okinawa experienced summer-like temperatures — right as cherry and plum blossoms began to bloom.

Why Okinawa’s Seasons Feel “Out of Sync”

Okinawa has a subtropical climate, very different from mainland Japan. Here, seasonal changes are influenced less by cold winters and more by:

• Temperature fluctuations
• Daylight length
• Sudden warm spells

That’s why it’s not unusual in Okinawa to see people wearing short sleeves while cherry blossoms bloom nearby.

Winter, spring, and summer can feel like they arrive all at once.

🌺 A Very Okinawan Moment

For visitors from overseas — especially from North America — this kind of scene can feel almost surreal:

• Cherry blossoms in January
• Plum blossoms blooming at the same time
• Beach-like temperatures in the middle of winter

But for Okinawa, this is simply part of everyday life.

It’s another reminder that Okinawa isn’t just “southern Japan” — it’s a place with its own rhythm, climate, and sense of time.