2025 Cherry Blossoms Grand Okinawa Plus Kyoto & Osaka

2025 Cherry Blossoms Grand Okinawa Plus Kyoto & Osaka

Enjoy your choice of Japan Airlines’ “Economy” or the affordable luxury of ”Business” class service. Business class customers will begin their journey with a relaxing visit to JAL’s brand new “Sakura Lounge – Hale.”

Very unique tour itinerary!

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

TOUR DATE AND MANAGER:

March 22 – April 01, 2025
Tour Manager: Lori Lee

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 Naha Main Place • Himeyuri Peace Museum • Okinawa Peace Memorial Park • Mabuni Hill • Ryukyu Mura • AEON MALL Okinawa RYCOM • Awamori (Rice Liquor) Factory • Churaumi Aquarium • Nakijin Castle Site • Michi-no-Eki KYODA • Okinawa World • Gyokusendo Stalactite Cave • Habu (Snake) Museum • Glass Factory • Shisa Painting Experience

HOTEL COLLECTIVE (OKINAWA):

Luxurious accommodations right on Kokusai-dori Shopping Street.

KYOTO & OSAKA HIGHLIGHTS (3 NIGHTS):

Kiyomizu Temple • Nijo Castle • Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) • Surikomi Yuzen (Brush Dyed Yuzen) Table Mat Dyeing Experience • Sagano Torokko Ressha (Sagano Romantic Train) Ride • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest • Wagashi (Traditional Japanese Sweets) Making Experience • 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 • Kiyomizu Temple • Nijo Castle • Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
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