2025 Summer Grand Okinawa Plus Kyoto & Nara

2025 Summer Grand Okinawa Plus Kyoto & Nara

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

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

• 10 Nights / 12 Days
• 21 Meals (10 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 5 Dinners)
• Escorted from Honolulu
• Includes English-Speaking Local Guide

TOUR DATE & MANAGER:

June 04 – 15, 2025 • Tour Manager: Michael Lindo

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 • Nanjo • Kyoto • Kameoka • Arashiyama • Nara

OKINAWA HIGHLIGHTS (7 NIGHTS):

Shuri Castle • Ryusou Ryukyu Kimono Dress-Up • Ryukyu Glass Experience • Himeyuri Peace Museum • Okinawa Peace Memorial Park • Mabuni Hill • Awamori (Rice Liquor) Factory • Michi-no-Eki • Ryukyu Mura Village • Churaumi Aquarium • Nakijin Castle Site • AEON MALL Okinawa Rycom • Okinawa World • Habu (Snake) Museum • Gyokusendo Stalactite Cave • Glass Factory • Shisa Painting Experience • Shikina-en Garden • San-A Naha Main Place • Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum • “Ryuzen Zome” Coral Dyeing Experience • Ryukyu Dance Show

KYOTO & NARA HIGHLIGHTS (3 NIGHTS):

Fushimi Inari Shrine • 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 • Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience • Todaiji Temple • Nara Deer Park

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES:

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