2024 Cherry Blossoms Grand Okinawa Plus Kyoto, Nara & Osaka

2024 Cherry Blossoms Grand Okinawa Plus Kyoto, Nara & Osaka

Very unique tour itinerary! Let’s explore two diverse climates and cultures in one exciting trip!

• 11 Nights / 13 Days
• 22 Meals (11 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 5 Dinners)
• Escorted from Honolulu
• Includes English-Speaking Local Guide

TOUR DATE:

March 22 – April 03, 2024

OVERVIEW:

Okinawa is home to a unique culture that differs considerably from that of mainland Japan. Until the islands were invaded by the Satsuma domain (present day Kagoshima Prefecture) in 1609, Okinawa existed as an entirely separate country from Japan, known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. After the invasion, the Ryukyu Kingdom served as a tributary state to Japan, but continued to be governed by the royal family from Shuri Castle. It was not until 1879, a few years after the Meiji Restoration, that the kingdom was abolished and incorporated into Japan as Okinawa Prefecture. The castles of Okinawa, known as “gusuku” in the Okinawan language, are among the most vivid monuments that testify to the unique cultural and historical heritage of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In the year 2000, five castles and four related sites were designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the collective title of “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.”

VISIT:

Naha • Itoman • Nago • Onna • Manza • Motobu • Nakijin • Kitanakagusuku Omoro Machi • Nanjo • Kyoto • Kameoka • Arashiyama • Nara • Osaka

OKINAWA HIGHLIGHTS (7 NIGHTS):

Ryukyu Glass Village • Himeyuri-no-to Peace Memorial Park Peace Memorial Museum • Mabuni Hill • Iias Okinawa Toyosaki • Awamori Factory Tour Michi-no-Eki • Ryukyu-mura Village • Sweeets House • Churaumi Aquarium • Nakijin Castle Site Okinawa Fruits Land • AEON Mall – RYCOM • Shikina Garden • Naha Main Place Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum • Naha Pottery Museum • Shisa Decorating Experience Shuri Castle • Okinawa World • Gyokusendo Stalactite Cave • Habu (Snake) Museum Glass Factory • Masahiro Sake Brewery • Ryukyu Dance Performance

KYOTO, NARA & OSAKA HIGHLIGHTS (4 NIGHTS):

Nijo Castle • Kiyomizu Temple Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) • Surikomi Yuzen Table Mat Dyeing Experience Sagano Torokko Ressha Train Ride • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Wagashi (Japanese Sweets) Making Experience • Fushimi Inari Shrine Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience • Todaiji Temple • Nara Park Kuromon Ichiba Market • Dotonbori Shopping • Shinsaibashi Shopping • AEON Mall Rinku Sennan

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES:

Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu Nijo Castle • Kiyomizu Temple • Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) • Todaiji Temple