Trans Pacific Tours, Inc.Phone: (808) 924-1889
339 Royal Hawaiian AvenueFax: (808) 924-1887
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
HUOA OKINAWA STUDY TOUR
October 04 – October 13, 2008
8 nights, 10 days
OCT 04(SAT) / 9:30am / HONOLULU – KANSAI
Meet at Japan Airlines check-in counter.
Depart Honolulu for Kansai, via Japan Airlines Flight #JO-77.
Cross International Dateline.
OCT 05
(SUN) / 4:35pm
6:05pm
8:10pm / KANSAI – OKINAWA
Arrive in Kansai/ Osaka. Clear Customs and Immigration.
Depart Kansai for Okinawa, via Japan Airlines Flight #2577.
Arrive in Okinawa.
Overnight in Chatan at The BeachTowerOkinawa
OCT 06
(MON) / 8:00am
9:30am
11:00am
12:45pm
2:00pm / CHATAN (B) (L)
Northern Tour– Visiting:
Leave hotel.
- NagoCity Hall– a brief visit with Nago Mayor Yoshikazu Shimabukuro.
- BashofuBananaClothCenter – The banana cloth from Kijoka has been designated an intangible cultural asset by Japan. The center was established to pass on the traditional weaving technique to the next generation, hold exhibitions of Bashofu cloth, and introduce its history and culture. There is a video in English explaining the procedure and a weaving studio on the second floor.
- OkinawaExpoPark/ Chura Umi Aquarium – Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (“churaumi” means “beautiful ocean” in Okinawan dialect), featuring the world’s largest acrylic panel, is sure to amaze you with exotic and colorful fish, including whale sharks and manta rays. There is a pool where you can touch live sea creatures such as starfish and sea slugs as well as a deep-sea-creature corner and a shark tooth exhibit. The park also offers free dolphin shows at the outdoor Okichan Theater. Other places to explore include the TropicalDreamCenter, full of colorful flowers such as orchids, and the OceanicCultureMuseum.
OCT 07
(TUE) / 8:00am
8:30am
10:30am
11:30am
2:30pm
3:30pm / CHATAN (B)
Visiting:
Leave hotel.
- Murasaki Mura – various hands-on craft activities. We will paint a “shisa” to take home.
- KinVillage– see Toyama Kyuzo statue and meet with Kin Mayor Tsuyoshi Gibu.
- Mayor of Chatan – visit ChatanCity Hall and meet Chatan Mayor Masaharu Nogumi.
- AmericanVillage – restaurants, shops, and Jusco.
- Optional: Rinkin Band – approximately $30.00 per person.
OCT 08
(WED) / 8:00am
9:15am
11:30am
1:30pm
2:30pm
4:00pm / CHATAN - NAHA (B)
Visiting:
Leave hotel.
- Governor of Okinawa – welcome ceremony and meet Okinawa Prefectural Governor Hirokazu Nakaima, Prefectural Vice-Governor Zenki Nakazato, Prefectural Vice-Governor Katsuko Asato, Division of International Exchange Director Masayuki Oshiro, and Division of International Exchange Supervisor Atsushi Kyan.
- Kencho Tour/ Legislature Tour
Check-in hotel.
- Mayor of Naha– meet Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga.
- OkinawaPrefecturalMuseum – Okinawa has developed a unique nature and culture based on its geographic conditions. The OkinawaPrefecturalMuseum offers the discovery of materials regarding themes such as Okinawa's nature, history and culture. Within the museum, four permanent exhibition sections develop subjects on nature, history, arts and crafts and customs. Among the many items exposed are the Minatogawa man, said to be the ancestor of Japanese People, the Bankoku Shinryo Bell -- the Bridge of Nations Bell-- that was once installed in ShurijoCastle, and national protected species such as the Yanbaru kuina (Okinawa rail) and the Iriomote wildcat.
Overnight in Naha at HotelSunPalace Kyuyo
OCT 09
(THU) / 8:00am
9:00am
10:30am
12:00pm
1:00pm
2:00pm
3:00pm
4:00pm / NAHA (B) (L)
Southern Tour - Visiting:
Leave hotel.
- Cornerstone of PeacePark and OkinawaMemorialMuseum– Opened on April 1, 2000. The museum is divided into four sections. The exhibits feature panels, artifacts, and testimony that lived to tell the story.
- Okinawa World – visit the Habu Park, a center that provides everything you ever wanted to know about Okinawa’s venomous indigenous snake, the habu; and a scenic village of old-time Okinawa and workshops that allow visitors to experience Okinawa’s traditional heritage and local fold crafts such as glass blowing and pottery making. Other facilities include souvenir shops, cares, restaurants, a brewery and a fruit grove. A traditional performance plaza offers high-spirited eisa dances.
- Ryukyu Lacquer Factory - The distinctive characteristics of Okinawan Lacquerware, called “Ryukyu Shiki”, are brilliant vermilion and the unique pictures of the Deigo tree and Hibiscus that can be seen in the tropical islands.
- Toyonomachi – Observe how handicap craftsmen make wooden Okinawan dolls.
- Himeyuri-No-tohWarMemorialMonument – During the last days of the Battle of Okinawa, a group of 222 young female students and 18 teachers were ordered by the Japanese Army to join the Haebaru Army field Hospital medical nurses. The Japanese soldiers told them that if they surrendered, the American would rape and murder them. They stayed in this cave instead of surrendering and 219 of them were killed along with Japanese soldiers.
- BingataTextileCenter - Dyeing and weaving – Bingata is one of Okinawa’s out-standing fabrics and has a proud 500year history. The abundant variety and production methods found here are seen nowhere else.
OCT 10
(FRI) / NAHA (B)
Free day.
- Optional Tour: Ishigaki and Taketomi Islands –One of the main island of Yaeyama archipelago, was left relatively untouched by the Battle of Okinawa, so many of its streets, houses, and temples have been beautifully preserved. We will take a 10- minute ferry ride to TaketomiIsland. The old Okinawa still exists on this island with its re-tile roofs and stonewalls. Star sands can be found on TaketomiIsland (Lunch included) approximately $350.00 per person.
OCT 11
(SAT) / 8:00am
8:30am
11:00am
11:30am
1:00pm
4:00pm / NAHA (B)
Visiting:
Leave hotel.
World Heritage Sites –
- Shureimon Gate – A symbol of the Kingdom of Ryukyu. It stands in front of the entrance of ShuriCastle. Built during the reign of King Sho Shin from 1953 to 1571.
- ShuriCastle – The original castle buildings were destroyed by fire during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. The reconstruction project began in the late 1980s and completed in 1992. ShuriCastle has been designated a National Historical Site.
- Sonohyan-Utaki Gate - Shoshin (1477 ~ 1526), the third king of the second Sho Dynasty, erected the Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon. It is a stone gate and the forest behind it is revered as sacred area. The gate is designated as an important cultural property. The gate and its site form a part of historic Shuri-jo Site.
Leave for optional Amawari Performance.
Awamari Performance. Cost $35.00 per person.
Naha Matsuri Parade – The parade begins at Asato and ends at Palette Kumoji.
Overnight in Naha at Hotel Ryukyu Sun Royal
Overnight in Naha at HotelSunPalace KyuyoOCT 12
(SUN) / 3:00pm / NAHA (B)
Morning free.
- Naha-Oh-Tsunahiki - Make way for this gigantic rope because it's a Guinness World Record holder, measuring 200m (656 feet) in length, and weighing more than 40 metric tons (44 Amer. tons, 39 long tons)!
This event definitely needs more than 15,000 people in order to pull the rope. After the tug-of-war is over, don't forget to take home the pieces of the rope that is believed to bring good luck for the rest of the year.
OCT 13
(MON) / 11:40am
1:35pm
10:00pm
10:20am / NAHA – HONOLULU (B)
Depart Okinawa for Kansai, via Japan Airlines Flight #JL-2574.
Arrive Kansai.
Depart Kansai for Honolulu, via Japan Airlines Flight #JO-78.
Arrive Honolulu. Clear customs and Immigration.
Itinerary and cost subject to change.
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