This tour is designed for the travelers who visit Okinawa by cruise ship. We will pick you up at Naha Port or hotels near the port.
Okinawa offers a unique experience of your stay in Japan due to its relatively distant location from the main island of Honshu and the consequential subtropical to tropical climate. Your private guide can fill you in on the details and much more on this full-day tour of Okinawa, the capital city of Naha in particular.
Start your day with a morning pickup at your hotel, let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you!
Note1: Please select 3-4 your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Minivan (Up to 4 Pax)
Pickup included
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. Shuri Castle was originally built in the late 1300s, and played an integral role in the political unification of the island. Wars and fires destroyed the castle multiple times over the centuries, most recently in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. The current buildings are beautiful reconstructions dating from 1992. The approach to the castle's central buildings leads through multiple gates, including the well known Shureimon Gate. The castle's hilltop location allows for nice views over Naha along the way.
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.
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.
Choose to be picked up from a list of locations
Please arrive at the pick up point 10 minutes before departure time.
This private tour is a guided tour with a private vehicle designed for travelers coming to Naha by cruise ships. Your guide and taxi will pick you up and drop you off at Naha Port or hotels near the port.