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.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel or airport
Hotel or Airport
Meeting
Zakimi Castle
Important castle for the Ryukyu kingdom because it locates in the middle of the island and has a wide range of views from the northern mountains to the southern plain. A faithful retainer of the Ryukyu king, Gosamaru, who is also known as an expert in castle construction, built it in the 15th century.
Lunch
Let's enjoy local palatable cuisine according to your preference.
Nakagusuku Castle
Gosamaru moved to this castle by the order of the king to restrain Amawari. Amawari is based in the Yokatsu peninsula and had strong power. Moreover, the kingdom made a princess get married to Amawari. The princess was a daughter of the king, and also a granddaughter of Gosamaru.
Katsuren Castle
For the Kingdom, Amawari was a threat. However, the commoners who lived in the peninsula adored him as a great lord. One day, he decided to raise an army to overthrow the Kingdom. For his wife, that was a battle between her husband and her grandfather, eventually her father. Whom should she save? What did she do??
Hotel or Airport
End of the tour
Ending Point
At your hotel or airport
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee
Transportation fee (you and guide), Lunch, Entrance fee (Katsuren castle ¥600, Nakagusuku castle ¥400)
The battle between Gosamaru and Amawari is the largest and the most famous internal disturbance in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Through visiting actual scenes of the story, you can imagine the situations lively and deepen your understanding of Okinawan history with a real feeling.
- Admission fee for castles is ¥1000 in total.
- Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes to walk. Castles have rocky and steep slopes.
- Please bring enough amount of water to avoid a heat stroke.
- Wearing a hat and sunglasses, and putting sunscreen on are also recommended.
- Okinawa is still a cash-based society. It would be better to bring Japanese Yen as cash for purchasing lunch and souvenirs.
- Using public transportation is impossible for the tour. I strongly recommend using a rental car or hiring a taxi.
- Depending on the weather and traffic conditions, the schedule is subject to be modified.
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.
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)
Myriam S.
“Amazing Karate Tour!”
Our "Journey to the Birthplace!" Karate Heritage Tour in Okinawa was genuinely an amazing experience for me and my kids ! Having them involved in karate for years, this tour truly brought their passion to life right here where it all began. Our guide, Harry, was absolutely brilliant. He kicked things off with a super fun, interactive trivia session that got everyone engaged ! Harry is incredibly knowledgeable and handled every single one of our questions with insightful answers. He took us to all the significant historic places across Okinawa, sharing fascinating stories and really connecting us to the roots of karate. It wasn't just educational; it was truly inspiring. Harry made the history feel vibrant and relevant! This tour is a must-do if you're in Okinawa and have any interest in karate. It was a perfect blend of fun, learning, and cultural immersion that we'll never forget.
Harry M.
Dear Myriam-san, Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review! I’m truly happy to hear that the experience helped deepen your understanding of Karate. Knowing its historical background really brings meaning to every movement — from why each technique begins with a block to why the sensei always says, “Karate is not for fighting.” I also thoroughly enjoyed exploring Okinawa with you all. Your curiosity helped me see familiar places with fresh eyes, and I learned a lot alongside you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime if there’s anything I can do to help. Best regards, Harry
Luc L.
“Harry-San SAVED our trip!”
Our Karate tour in Okinawa was absolutely unforgettable, thanks to the outstanding guidance of Harry-San. From the start, he went above and beyond—when our flight was delayed, he kindly arranged to pick us up at the airport, which immediately put us at ease. Harry-San is incredibly knowledgeable about Okinawan Karate and its rich cultural and historical context. His deep passion for the art and his local connections made every site feel authentic and special. We learned so much more than we expected, and it was all presented in a way that was engaging, respectful, and meaningful. During the tour, I accidentally dropped and broke my phone. Harry-San was quick to offer help, even pointing me toward reliable local phone repair shops. It was such a small gesture, but one that made a big difference in a stressful moment—just another example of how thoughtful and supportive he was throughout the entire experience. On top of all this, Harry-San is simply a joy to be around—friendly, professional, and genuinely invested in making the tour memorable for everyone. If you're considering a Karate or cultural tour in Okinawa, I can’t recommend this experience—and especially Harry-San—highly enough
Harry M.
Dear Luc-san, Thank you so much for your kind and heartfelt review! It truly means a lot to me that you enjoyed the Karate tour and felt the spirit and cultural depth of Okinawa through the experience. It was an absolute pleasure guiding you through these meaningful places that are so important to understanding the roots of Karate. I'm also very glad to hear that your Karate keiko went well—that's wonderful news! I had been wondering how your phone situation turned out, so I hope everything was successfully repaired and is working fine again. Your thoughtful words and warm presence made the day all the more enjoyable for me, too. I hope we can cross paths again someday—whether here in Okinawa or elsewhere. Also, congratulations on the exciting journey ahead as you two prepare to welcome a new life into the world. I wish you and your growing family much happiness, good health, and many beautiful memories to come. With heartfelt gratitude, Harry Masuda
Kevin lorraine B.
“Harry is Fantastic!!!”
I had a very different request in that I lived on Okinawa in the late 1970’s and wanted to see if several places still existed. Harry went above and beyond in researching places and combined the visits to historical places to make a completely customized tour that my friends and I thoroughly enjoyed! Harry also was compassionate in dealing with this widow’s emotional reminiscences. Thank you so much Harry!!
Harry M.
Dear Kevin-san, Thank you very much for your kind and heartfelt review. It was truly an honor to accompany you on such a meaningful journey through Okinawa. I deeply appreciate the trust you placed in me to help revisit the places connected to your memories from the 1970s. I'm especially glad to hear that you and your friends enjoyed the customized tour and that it offered both discovery and reflection. Your words about my support during your emotional moments mean a great deal to me. It was a privilege to share in your story, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute in a small way to your meaningful return to Okinawa. Wishing you all the best, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever return—I would be delighted to guide you again. Warm regards, Harry
$277/ per group