GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
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GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
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Journey to the Birthplace! - Karate Heritage Tour

Art, Culture, & Historical
Okinawa Main Island Tour Guide - Harry M.

Joined 2022

Harry M.
5.00 / 5
(11 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!Okinawa Main Island
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!English, Japanese (Native)
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!6 hours
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!Private tour (only you and Harry M.)
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!Up to 10 people

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!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

Your Hotel

09:20 AM

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.

09:30 AM

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.)

10:00 AM

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.

10:30 AM

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.

11:00 AM

Sakiyama Park

The monument commemorates Shuri as the birthplace of Karate

11:30 AM

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.

01:00 PM

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.

01:30 PM

Karate Museum

Discover Okinawan karate's detailed history and hidden stories through extensive exhibits and visual archives.

02:30 PM

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

GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
What‘s included

Guiding fee

GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
What‘s not included

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

GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!

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

  • GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
    Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
  • GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
    50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
  • GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
    No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Okinawa Main Island Tour Guide - Harry M.

Joined 2022

Harry M.
5.00 / 5
(11 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 ¥10,000 (Includes gas, parking, and expressway fees)

Reviews

AMAZING EXPERIENCE !!!

Everything was perfect with Harry, we went to beautiful places. I learned a lot about the life in Okinawa in a fun way. He took me to try Buku Buku tea, which was a very enjoyable experience and to eat at the fish market which was quite an experience. He even took me to a supermarket to help me find some sauce that I wanted to buy. THANK YOU Harry for making this trip so special !!

Rosa L.

Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to write a review, Rosa-san! It was truly a pleasure to spend such a special day with you on your birthday. I’m so glad we could explore beautiful places together and create lasting memories. I hope your daughter enjoys the souvenirs from Okinawa! Wishing you a safe and wonderful continuation of your cruise. I hope our paths cross again in the future!

S

SPNHC-TDWG合同大会2024

5 / 5
Oct 30, 2024

Unveil Wonders of Okinawa! - Interactive Virtual Tour

Okinawa Main Island
1 hour

Outstanding online tour and arrangements

Harry was very flexible in accommodating our requests and made several arrangements to ensure that the online tour took place without a hitch. Although only a few participants were able to join the tour due to time differences, all of them shared positive feedback and were expecially impressed with Harry's enthusiastic presentation and traditional arts performances. If anyone is visiting Okinawa for the first time, we highly recommend Harry as the go-to guy about anything related to Okinawa!

SPNHC-TDWG合同大会2024

Thank you very much for your thoughtful feedback! It was a pleasure to spend time with the academic conference participants and share Okinawa’s unique features with them. I hope this added something meaningful to their stay in Okinawa. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever need a guide-interpreter with a scientific background. Mahalo nui loa.

Okinawa 2024

Harry is an exceptional guide. he showed us around for 2 days. In those 2 days he took us to places that we had requested and also to some he felt was important for us to see. Hopefully we will get back to Okinawa and if we do we will be sure to call on Harry as our guide. Thank you, Harry! Claudia and Pepe

Pepe M.

Thank you very much for your kind comment!! I am glad to hear that you had a good time in Okinawa. How was the mainland Japan? Did everything go smoothly? I would love to see you two again soon! Harry

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$194/ per group

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