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Okinawa Main Island Private Tour - Bridge of Nations Bell
Bridge of Nations Bell
Okinawa Main Island Private Tour - Genealogy Books of the Ryukyu Kingdom (那覇市歴史博物館提供)
Genealogy Books of the Ryukyu Kingdom (那覇市歴史博物館提供)
Okinawa Main Island Private Tour - Bise Village
Bise Village
Okinawa Main Island Private Tour - Kinjo Town in Naha
Kinjo Town in Naha
Okinawa Main Island Private Tour - Hamlet under Katsuren Castle
Hamlet under Katsuren Castle
Okinawa Main Island Private Tour - Kin Town
Kin Town
Okinawa Main Island Private Tour - Toyama Kyuzo pointing at the Pacific Ocean
Toyama Kyuzo pointing at the Pacific Ocean
Okinawa Main Island Private Tour - The Statue of Toyama Kyuzo
The Statue of Toyama Kyuzo
Okinawa Main Island Private Tour - Toyama Kyuzo Museum
Toyama Kyuzo Museum
Okinawa Main Island Private Tour - Naminoue Shrine
Naminoue Shrine
Okinawa Main Island Private Tour - Emigration Ship, China-maru (那覇市歴史博物館提供)
Emigration Ship, China-maru (那覇市歴史博物館提供)
Okinawa Main Island Private Tour - My Car (Honda Freed Spike)
My Car (Honda Freed Spike)
Okinawa Main Island Private Tour - Traditional Tebichi (pig feet) Lunch
Traditional Tebichi (pig feet) Lunch

Discover Your Roots! - Uchinanchu Genealogy Tour

Car Tour (driving guide)
Okinawa Main Island Tour Guide - Harry M.

Joined 2022

Harry M.
5.00 / 5
(44 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Okinawa Main Island
English, Japanese (Native)
8 hours
Private tour (only you and Harry M.)
Up to 3 people

Trace your family's history on this special bespoke tour!


Embark on a journey to uncover your roots! Choose from meaningful spots like the Prefectural Library for family records, the Prefectural Museum to explore Ryukyu Kingdom history, or the Toyama Kyuzo Museum in Kin Town, honoring the father of Okinawan emigration.


Next, visit your ancestors' village, and if possible, meet your Okinawan relatives with translation support.


Reconnect with your heritage and create unforgettable memories!

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

08:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel / Naha Airport

09:00 AM

Okinawa Prefectural Library, Okinawa Prefectural Museum, or Naha City Museum of History

The Okinawa Prefectural Library serves as a key resource for those researching their Okinawan roots and family history. It holds an extensive collection of historical records, family registries (koseki), and emigration-related documents, making it an essential stop for genealogy research.


The Okinawa Prefectural Museum highlights Okinawa’s culture and history. The Bridge of All Nations Bell, engraved with the Okinawan spirit, represents the global journey of its people. The museum showcases the historical reasons for emigration, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and how Okinawans' resilience shaped communities worldwide. It offers a deep understanding of their enduring legacy abroad.


The Naha City Museum of History houses valuable genealogy books of Ryukyu samurais, called Kafu. If your ancestors were from a samurai clan, you can explore official documents that record their legacy in the Ryukyu Kingdom. The museum also displays treasures donated by the royal family, offering a glimpse into the kingdom’s prosperity and rich cultural heritage.

10:30 AM

Toyama Kyuzo Museum or Naminoue/Futenma Shrine

The Toyama Kyuzo Museum in Kin Town honors Toyama Kyuzo, known as the "father of Okinawan emigration." The museum showcases his significant role in helping Okinawans migrate to countries like Brazil and Hawaii in the early 20th century. It highlights the history and challenges faced by Okinawan emigrants, preserving their stories and legacy for future generations.


Visiting a Shinto shrine where Okinawan emigrants prayed for the safety of their voyage to an unknown land before their departure must be an unforgettable experience. These shrines were completely destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa but were rebuilt through donations from Okinawan emigrants, symbolizing their enduring connection to their homeland.

12:00 PM

Lunch

Let’s enjoy a delicious, home-style meal at a local "Shokudo" where the people of Okinawa dine every day!

01:30 PM

Visit your ancestor's village

In the village where your grandparents or great-grandparents lived before emigrating, you can explore the location of their house, converse with local residents, and imagine their way of life. If contact information is available, you may have the opportunity to meet your relatives and share a meal together. This will be a deeply meaningful experience to connect with your roots and strengthen ties with your Okinawan family.

Ending Point

Your hotel

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guiding Fee

Transportation w/ Honda Freed Spike

Gasoline Fee

Toll Fee

What‘s not included

Meals

Admission Fees

Research Fee (5,000 yen per hour)

Tour Important Information

Options


Research Service: I will research your ancestors and relatives prior to your visit – 5,000 yen per hour

Important message from the supplier

In addition to day trips, I can also be your guide for several days in Okinawa and other parts of Japan. If you are interested, please let me know via message.

Cancellation Policy

  • Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
  • 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
  • No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Okinawa Main Island Tour Guide - Harry M.

Joined 2022

Harry M.
5.00 / 5
(44 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Harry M.

Looking for a guide who truly knows Okinawa?


With 15 years of experience in the field of science education in both Okinawa and Hawaiʻi, I now work as a guide-interpreter and edutainer (educator + entertainer) based in Okinawa.


I use my educational background to create unique, engaging tours that help participants discover something new about Okinawa’s breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.


From exploring Okinawa’s diverse ecosystems, both on land and in the sea, to experiencing the traditions of Karate and the enchanting sounds of Okinawan Sanshin music, I’m passionate about sharing the best of Okinawa with you.


If you’re ready for a tour that’s not only unforgettable but also filled with learning and discovery, let’s embark on this journey together!


(I also offer guided tours of the Mt. Fuji area, my hometown. Additional transportation fees apply.)



Guiding Fee (For up to 10 people):

- 4 hours: ¥30,000

- 6 hours: ¥35,000

- 8 hours: ¥40,000


Guiding with Car Transportation (For up to 3 people):

- Extra ¥15,000 - 20,000 (Includes gas, parking, and expressway fees)

Reviews

An unforgettable experience in Okinawa.

An extraordinary 3 day’s in Okinawa that became a highlight of our entire three‑week trip to Japan. Our guide was consistently punctual, deeply knowledgeable, and remarkably flexible in shaping the day around our interests and energy levels. The level of care and humility he showed—especially toward my nearly 80‑year‑old mother‑in‑law—made the experience feel personal and genuinely supportive. He encouraged her at every stop, adjusted the pace when needed, and shared plenty of laughs with us about how many stairs we managed to conquer together. His understanding of Okinawa’s WWII history was exceptional. He explained complex events with clarity, respect, and emotional depth, helping us appreciate the significance of each site we visited. The stories he shared added meaning far beyond what we could have learned on our own. Every arrangement was smooth and comfortable, and the day balanced fun, learning, and relaxation perfectly. It was easily the most enjoyable and memorable day’s of our entire visit to Japan. Anyone looking for a guide who is knowledgeable, kind, humorous, and truly attentive will be in excellent hands. Thanks Harry-san.

Allan C.

Harry M.

Dear Allan-san, Thank you so much for your thoughtful and generous review. It truly means a great deal to me. It was a real privilege to spend those three days with you and your family. I especially appreciated the time we shared exploring Okinawa’s history together. Your deep interest in WWII sites and the perspectives you brought from your travels around the world made the experience even more meaningful for me as well. I learned a great deal alongside you, and it reminded me how much there is still to discover. I was also very happy to spend time with your mother-in-law. Her positive spirit and determination were truly inspiring, and I will always remember the moments we shared along the way. One day, I hope to follow in your footsteps and visit the islands of the South Pacific to further deepen my own understanding of history. Our time together has certainly encouraged me to do so. Thank you again for your kindness and for making these days so memorable. I hope to welcome you back to Okinawa—and perhaps Yomitan—again in the future. Warm regards, Harry

Moving and Informative WWII Tour

My husband’s father fought in the Battle of Okinawa, so we were anxious to see all the places he had been and roughly follow the path taken by the Sixth Marine Division. We explained this to Harry, and he did his homework. He came up with an itinerary that was exactly what we were looking for. He came prepared with visual aids and copies of relevant information for us to take home. He was able to answer all our questions and had clearly done a lot of research. Harry is the nicest guy. He is enthusiastic, thoughtful and fun to be with. We had a wonderful two days with him.

Carroll M.

Harry M.

Dear Carroll-san, Thank you very much for your kind review. I am truly happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour. It was a great honor for me to spend those two days with you, learning together about the Battle of Okinawa. Since the information commonly shared in Japan and the United States about the battle can sometimes be quite different, I felt it was a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn from each other’s perspectives. In particular, I am very grateful to Bob-san for sharing many insights from the perspective of American soldiers—things that are rarely written in books available in Japan. For example, I had always thought the Japanese Nambu gun was simply an outdated weapon, so I was surprised to learn from him that its rapid-fire capability actually made it something many American soldiers feared. It was truly eye-opening for me. Thank you again for choosing me as your guide. I sincerely hope we will have the chance to meet again someday. Warm regards, Harry

Warriors, Kingdoms & Longevity

Harry customized our half day tour to accommodate myself and my teenage son. My son wanted to learn about history and karate as well as but Pokemon cards. I wanted learn about the culture and the Blue Zone. Both of our interests were met. Harry was knowledgeable about so many topics. We had a great day!!!

Paula michiko K.

Harry M.

Arigato gozaimashita, Paula-san! It was a short tour, but I believe we shared very unique experiences together. I have been wondering whether you could find everything you need, including the Pokémon card, at the Rycom Shopping Center after the tour. Let's apply the blue zone lesson we learned to our lives, stay healthy, and see each other again! Soremade Ogenkide! Harry

Want to Personalize?

$347/ per group

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