2024 Fall Grand Okinawa Plus Kyoto & Osaka

2024 Fall Grand Okinawa Plus Kyoto & Osaka

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

• 9 Nights / 11 Days
• 18 Meals (9 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners)
• Escorted from Honolulu
• Includes English-Speaking Local Guide

TOUR DATE AND MANAGER:

November 01 – 11, 2024 • Tour Manager: Janie Tomihara

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 • Onna • Kitanakagusuku • Nago • Manza • Motobu • Nakijin • Nanjo • Kyoto • Kameoka • Arashiyama • Osaka

OKINAWA HIGHLIGHTS (6 NIGHTS):

Shuri Castle • Ryusou Ryukyu Kimono Dress-Up • San-A Main Place • Himeyuri Peace Museum • Mabuni Hill • Okinawa Peace Memorial Park • Ryukyu Mura • AEON MALL – RYCOM • Awamori Factory Tour • Ryukyu Dance Performance • Churaumi Aquarium • Nakijin Castle Site • Okinawa Fruits Land • Michi-no-Eki • Okinawa World • Gyokusendo Stalactite Cave • Habu (Snake) Museum • Glass Factory • Shisa Painting Experience

KYOTO & OSAKA HIGHLIGHTS (3 NIGHTS):

Nijo Castle • Kiyomizu Temple • Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) • Surikomi Yuzen Dyeing (Brush Dyed Yuzen) Experience • Sagano Torokko Ressha Train Ride (Sagano Romantic Train) • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest • Wagashi (Traditional Japanese Sweets) Making Experience • Kuromon Ichiba Market • Dotonbori Shopping • Shinsaibashi Shopping • AEON MALL

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES:

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