Journey to the Birthplace! - Karate Heritage Tour
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?
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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
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
Alton O.
“Best tour ever.”
I am serious -Harry-San is the best. We have had many drivers. Harry stands out as the best. He is extremely knowledgable and very accommodating. He goes out of his way to ensure a fun and productive day. For example, we wanted to visit a known secluded beach to find shells and sea glass. He did not initially know where it was so he took the initiative to find it the day before to ensure he could find it on the day of our tour and to give us pointers. In fact, because of his scouting of the secluded beach he found an adjacent beach that was even better. In addition, we found Harry to be fun, honest, and personable. We would definite hire him again. Thank you Harry.
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Harry M.
Dear Alton-san, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was truly a pleasure spending the day with you two. I’m glad the extra scouting helped make the visit to the beaches even more enjoyable. And thank YOU for helping me discover such a hidden gem. It was a pleasure guiding you, and I truly appreciate your kind words. I would be thrilled to host you again! Thank you for choosing me as your guide in Okinawa. Warmest regards, Harry
Aran H.
“Aloha to the Max!”
Harry was an awesome guide since we landed. He was very flexible in what can be done as we hired him for 2 days. We enjoyed his knowledge and company so much we hired him another 2 days to show us around for total of 4 days. His English is very good as he lived in Hawaii for 3 years as a teacher, teaching High-school and College students. He teaches many subjects, but his specialty is chemistry which is cool, so he understands a lot about Geology as well and is able to explain many other aspects of Okinawa, not just history. We were able to visit the Okinawan archives and find out more about our family's genealogy. We found out we were Pechin Okinawan Samurai warrior family. Which was really cool as there were also historical documents about my Great Grandfather and his immigration back in the 1917. Harry would take us to local Okinawan restaurants which were incredibly delicious. And as a big treat we visited Ogimi village, which is a Blue Zone village that has the most centennials in the world. And we ate at Emi No Mise which serves the traditional Okinawan food that they eat to live a long long life. We visited Shuri Castle which was a treat and to me the best part is he took us to the Himeyuri Peace memorial where it honor the high-school girls who were nurses that tried to help during the Battle of Okinawa. It's such a solemn and sober feeling as more than half died during the war. Powerful monument. I truly appreciated understanding what happened. Harry is very knowledgeable and patient, very patient because he is a teacher as well and still teaches students. I appreciated him very much because my parents are in their 80s and move and think slower, hard of hearing too. And Harry understood. He is a good person, solid! Highly Recommend! A Kind person. I took both my parents and we really enjoyed ourselves Sincerely and Aloha, Aran Higa from Hawaii
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Harry M.
Dear Aran-san, Thank you so much for your heartfelt review and for allowing me to guide you and your wonderful parents during your genealogy tour, Battle of Okinawa tour, and the Yambaru “Blue Zone” tour. I truly appreciate your family’s warm participation throughout all four days. I also learned a great deal from you—about Hawaiʻi, about Hawaiʻi Uchinanchu history, and about your and your family’s unique background. I truly admired how creative you are, and hearing your parents’ stories as lifelong educators was significant to me, as I was also a teacher. Our conversations were one of the highlights of the tour. Watching the three of you discover detailed records at the Okinawa Prefectural Library, and then visiting your ancestral village together—ending with that unforgettable view from the lookout—was a deeply moving moment. It felt like a powerful symbol of the long, proud journey of Hawaiʻi’s Okinawans. Mahalo for letting me be a small part of your family’s story. After we parted, I found myself wondering whether your monorail ride and drive to Churaumi Aquarium went smoothly. I hope the remainder of your trip was safe, comfortable, and filled with good memories. Please take good care, and I sincerely hope our paths cross again someday soon. Aloha and mahalo nui loa. Warmest regards, Harry
Joy G.
“Wonderful experience ”
Harry provided a wonderful experience on this tour. He is a wealth of information on the history of not only the castle but also of general things in Okinawa. I thoroughly enjoyed my tour and would not hesitate to book with him again should I ever find myself in Okinawa again. Mahalo nui loa Harry !
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Harry M.
Dear Joy-san, Mahalo nui loa for your kind review, and thank you very much for joining my tour here in Okinawa. I truly enjoyed spending time with you and sharing some of the less touristy spots—places where you can really feel the “real” Okinawa atmosphere. If you revisit Okinawa, let's hike through the Yambaru “broccoli” forest! Please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime if you have questions about Okinawa or even Mainland Japan. I’m always happy to help. Wishing you all the best, and I hope our paths cross again someday. Warmest regards, Harry
$193/ per group
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