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Journey to the Birthplace! - Karate Heritage Tour
Joined 2022
Embark on a journey to the most significant sites in Okinawa, the birthplace of Karate, and explore the roots of this martial art.
* The itinerary can be customized based on your specific Karate style.
* For an additional fee of 10,000 yen, I can drive you on the tour (up to 3 people).
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your Hotel
Tomb of Kyo Ahagon Jikki
The origins of Okinawan martial arts, known as Ti, which later evolved into Karate, remain unknown due to its status as a secret technique exclusive to Ryukyu samurais.
The earliest written record of Okinawan martial arts without weapons appears in the royal historical text of Ryukyu, Kyuyo, describing an event involving Kyo Ahagon Jikki in 1523.
“Using only Karate (or Kushu) and with no weapons in hand, he broke both legs of an assassin.”
He lost his life to the assassin’s blade near the Chuzan Gate of Shuri Castle. Today, his tombstone stands alone and forgotten in a residential area of Shuri.
Tamaudun
Tamaudun is a royal mausoleum.
In the Ryukyu Kingdom, masters of martial arts, including karate, often served as guards for royal tombs and mausoleums.
Because karate was a secret art passed down only within the samurai class, it was often practiced discreetly in graveyards.
It is known that a karate master named Kiyuna served as the tomb guard at Tamaudun, suggesting that secret karate training likely took place here as well.
(Unfortunately, there are no detailed records about Kiyuna himself.)
Shuri Castle
The residence of Ryukyu kings and the political center of the kingdom. Ryukyu samurais who served here practiced karate in secret to protect the nobility.
After the annexation to Japan, the castle was used as a school, where karate was practiced by many students, not just those from the samurai class.
In 1921, the future Emperor Hirohito, then a prince, observed a karate performance in the main hall. This event played a key role in bringing wider recognition to karate.
Keisei Gate
When the last Ryukyu King, Sho Tai, ascended to the throne in 1866, a Karate demonstration was held in front of the Keisei Gate at Shuri Castle.
This event marks the first written record of modern-style Karate.
Sakiyama Park
The monument commemorates Shuri as the birthplace of Karate
Shikinaen
Shikinaen, a beautiful royal garden in Okinawa, holds special significance for karate enthusiasts.
Matsumura Sokon, a legendary karate master, served as a guard at Shikinaen during the Ryukyu Kingdom era.
In addition to his duties, he taught karate to his students in the yard right in front of the guard's house.
Lunch
Let's enjoy Okinawa Soba with a Karate twist!
At the restaurant in Okinawa Karate Kaikan, the soba is served with kombu (kelp) garnished like a black belt.
Karate Museum
Discover Okinawan karate's detailed history and hidden stories through extensive exhibits and visual archives.
Stone Monument of "Karate ni sente nashi"
"Karate ni sente nashi"—"There is no first strike in karate"—is a famous karate maxim that Master Funakoshi Gichin promoted as the essence of karate.
A stone monument inscribed with this principle stands in Onoyama, a place also known as Shoto, which was Funakoshi’s pen name.
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
Guiding fee
Transportation
Entrance Fee (¥1,500/person)
Lunch
Tour Important Information
This is just a sample itinerary. You can adjust the tour based on your preferences or karate school.
If you wish to visit a dojo, an additional fee will be required.
There is also an extra charge of 10,000 yen for transportation if you choose to use my car. (gas/parking fees are included.)
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
Joined 2022
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 ¥10,000 (Includes gas, parking, and expressway fees)
Reviews
Michele J.
Discover the Wonders of Okinawa!
Customized
“Wonderful guide in Okinawa!”
Harry made our trip so comfortable and memorable in Okinawa! He is knowledgeable, professional and so much fun to travel with. Count on Harry if you want to thoroughly enjoy Okinawa!
Harry M.
Michele-san, Thank you so much for your kind review! Exploring Okinawa with you both was truly memorable—especially the fish bath and Yoshihachi! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, and I hope our paths cross again someday.
Elizabeth G.
Discover Okinawa! : 2-day Guided Tour with Private Transportation (* may extend to "3-day" Tour)
Customized
“Learning journey with Harry-San! ”
We are a group of two ladies and a teenage girl and we are very happy to have Harry as a guide! Before the trip, I did not have time to do any planning so I basically just told him that we are on a whirlwind trip and we want to pretty much cover the sights abd sounds of Okinawa. We did want to have a fruit picking experience and this time of the year, it is Shikwasa citrus fruit! We enjoyed picking Shikwasa! Harry came up with a 2-day itinerary to cater to our needs, and he and make sure we covered all that we wanted to go. He is a very experienced guide and he takes us on a learning journey as well. Our teenager loves Okinawa now and wants to go back! Very professional, very detailed in his explanation and a careful driver as well. He makes sure we are comfortable throughout our two-day trip with him. Thank you Harry-San!
Harry M.
Dear Elizabeth-san, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time in Okinawa and that the Shikwasa fruit-picking experience was a highlight. I’ve been enjoying the Shikwasa we harvested together every morning as a refreshing smoothie! It was truly a pleasure guiding you and spending such a memorable time with you all. Thank you again for your kind words. I hope to welcome you back to Okinawa someday soon! Warm regards, Harry
Olga R.
Journey to the Birthplace! - Karate Heritage Tour
“Amazing!!!”
Harry-san is a nice and kind boy who totally transmits to us the love he feels for his culture, making our respect grow. Although the plans were not what we expected, he made sure that we had a good time and took us to places that I would not have expected, as well as others that we did not know existed. It was definitely a great opportunity to meet him, I will not hesitate to look for him again when I return to Okinawa.
Harry M.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind words! While our plans may have shifted, I’m so glad we could explore some additional hidden gems relating to Karate together. It was a pleasure sharing these experiences with you, and I’m thrilled to know they added something unexpected and memorable to your trip. I look forward to welcoming you back to Okinawa in the future! There’s always more to discover, and I’d be delighted to guide you again. Let's try Uechi-ryu Karate practice next time! Please enjoy the rest of your stay in Okinawa and your trip to mainland Japan!
$195/ per group
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Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Okinawa Main Island
Deep Dive to Okinawa! - Edutainment Tour
If you want to make your trip more fruitful than just suntanning at the beach, let's learn about the Okinawan unique culture, history, and nature. After grasping the basic information about Okinawa at a museum, I will take you to authentic historical/cultural assets where you can have a unique and unforgettable experience.
Tracing the Front Line! - WWII Battle of Okinawa Tour
The Battle of Okinawa was one of the bloodiest ground warfare in WWII. When U.S. troops landed on Okinawa island on April 1, 1945, there was little counterattack contrary to their expectations. This was because the Japanese strategy was to build strong underground positions in the southern part of the island and turn the fight into an endurance contest. From this day, the 3 months of fierce battles embroiling citizens began. In this tour, we will trace the front line of the battle in 2 days.
Ryukyu Castle Hopping! - Gosamaru vs Amawari
There are hundreds of unique castle ruins, called Gusuku, in Okinawa, and five of them were registered as the world heritage sites in 2000. This tour visits three of them, namely Zakimi castle, Nakagusuku castle, and Katsuren castle, as an imaginary time travel to the Ryukyu Kingdom.