Okinawa 8hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle

This is the ideal full-day tour for travelers who want to discover the highlights of Naha and the former Ryukyu Kingdom in depth, in a private vehicle with a government-licensed, experienced multilingual guide. Okinawa has a culture, history, and atmosphere all its own, shaped by centuries as an independent island kingdom and its subtropical setting. Over eight relaxed hours you will visit Shurijo Castle, the red-lacquered symbol of the Ryukyu Kingdom and a UNESCO World Heritage site, stroll lively Kokusai-dori, and dive into island life at Makishi Public Market. Your guide can also take you to Naminoue-gu shrine on its coral cliff, tranquil gardens such as Fukushuen and Shikinaen, the pottery lanes of Tsuboya, and the royal mausoleum of Tamaudun. With a private vehicle and a knowledgeable local guide, you travel comfortably between sights, customize the itinerary to your interests, and gain a deep feel for Okinawa's heritage, cuisine, and warm island hospitality.

1. 1

   Shurijo Castle

   30 min

   IMPORTANT NOTICE: The main buildings of Shuri Castle were destroyed by fire in the night of October 31, 2019. The city hopes to rebuild the main building by 2022, the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japan. A city district of Naha today, Shuri is the name of the former capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Shuri Castle (首里城, Shurijō) served as the administrative center and residence of the Ryukyu kings for several centuries until Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture in 1879. The castle is included as one of the UNESCO World Heritage designated Castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom sites.

2. 2

   Kokusaidori

   30 min

   Naha's International Street was known post-WW II as the miracle mile for its almost-instantaneous reconstruction. With rows of souvenirs and restaurants, it is a staple sightseeing spot for visitors to Okinawa. Popular spots to visit include the central Makishi Public Market, dining establishments and the Don Quijote, Japan's largest discount store. If you're going for a stroll at night, there are izakaya where you can listen to performances of traditional Okinawa folk music and shamisen players.

3. 3

   Himeyuri Peace Museum

   30 min

   Near the end of World War Two, Okinawa Honto became the site of one of the war's bloodiest battles, when the US forces invaded and occupied the island. An estimated 200,000 people, including more than 100,000 civilians and 12,500 Americans were killed in the battle, which lasted from April to June 1945. The devastating effects of the war had a profound impact on the Okinawans, and there are a number of monuments and museums relating to the period throughout Okinawa Honto. The worst fighting of the battle took place in the south, and that is where some of the larger monuments have been constructed.

4. 4

   Okinawa Peace Memorial Park

   30 min

   Near the end of World War Two, Okinawa Honto became the site of one of the war's bloodiest battles, when the US forces invaded and occupied the island. An estimated 200,000 people, including more than 100,000 civilians and 12,500 Americans were killed in the battle, which lasted from April to June 1945. The devastating effects of the war had a profound impact on the Okinawans, and there are a number of monuments and museums relating to the period throughout Okinawa Honto. The worst fighting of the battle took place in the south, and that is where some of the larger monuments have been constructed.

5. 5

   Sefa Utaki

   30 min

   Sefa Utaki is an important sacred site of the indigenous Okinawan religion, which, similar to Shinto, places emphasis on the worship of nature. The site is located on a densely forested hillside along the ocean and features several rock formations, which are connected with each other by walking trails. Sefa Utaki is included as one of Okinawa's World Heritage sites. Although regarded as a powerful spiritual site beforehand, it was in the early 16th century that Sefa Utaki came into prominence. During this period the Okinawan religion underwent reorganization and centralization under the royal government, and Sefa Utaki became one of the main locations for religious ceremonies and rituals. Reflecting the strong connection between the royal family and the religion, the sites for prayers at Sefa Utaki were named after important places in Shuri Castle.

6. 6

   Shikinaen Garden

   30 min

   Shikinaen was constructed in the end of the 18th century as the second residence of the Ryukyu kings. It features beautiful, relatively simple, wooden palace buildings with Okinawan style, red tile roofs and a spacious Japanese style landscape garden with a central pond. While the garden is designed in a style seen elsewhere in Japan, the architecture and flora give Shikinaen a uniquely Okinawan flavor. Shikinaen was completely destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa of 1945, but has been neatly restored in the postwar years. In 2000, Shikinaen was among the sites added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the title Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.

7. 7

   Nakamura Family Resident

   30 min

   Nakamurake is a traditional Okinawan style house, dating from the 18th century, when it served as the residence of the Nakamura family. Nakamurake has been designated a major cultural asset by the Japanese government and is open to the public. Nakamurake displays many typical characteristics of a wealthy Okinawan farmer's residence, such as a red tiled roof with statues of shisa, lion like creatures that ward off evil spirits and are omnipresent in Okinawa, and a stone wall and high trees for protection against the frequent typhoons.

8. 8

   Tamaudun

   30 min

   A couple of things to be aware of are that this area is currently undergoing renovations so there is a bit of building work still going on at Shuri-jo and Enkakuji – and that the small museum accompanying the mausoleum is not particularly informative unless you can read Japanese.

9. 9

   Fukushu-en Garden

   30 min

   The Ryukyu kingdom was strongly influenced by Chinese culture, and this ornamental garden was built in 1992 to celebrate links between Okinawa and China. Entrance is free, and it provides a picturesque corner to get away from the city.

10. 10

    Tsuboya Pottery Museum

    30 min

    A short walk from Naha's central Kokusai-dori street is the Tsuboya Pottery District, which takes you away from the bustle of the city and into some really lovely, leafy backstreets. The atmosphere here is much more peaceful, and you can stop to have a coffee in a pottery shop or pick up traditional Ryukyu ceramics and (of course) more Okinawan shisa.

11. 11

    Makishi Public Market

    30 min

    Okinawa's kitchen, the Makishi Public Market, is a very famous tourist destination. Established in 1972, it is a very busy and popular market known as the kitchen of the people of Naha. There are more than 150 stores that sell Okinawan products like seafood, vegetables, fruits, meat, processed food, condiments, and souvenirs.

12. 12

    Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters

    30 min

    This park is located south-west of Naha City in the Tomigusuku uplands and offers a view on the East China Sea, the southern metropolitan area all the way to Shuri Castle. During the last stage of World War II, the Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters was established there, thus it became an extreme battleground site.

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.