Trans Pacific Tours, Inc.
339 Royal Hawaiian Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
Phone: (808) 924-1889
Fax: (808) 924-1887
HUOA OKINAWA STUDY TOUR
October 04 – October 13, 2008
8 nights, 10 days
OCT 04
(SAT)
OCT 05
(SUN)
9:30am
4:35pm
6:05pm
8:10pm
OCT 06
(MON)
8:00am
9:30am
11:00am
12:45pm
2:00pm
OCT 07
(TUE)
8:00am
8:30am
10:30am
11:30am
2:30pm
3:30pm
HONOLULU – KANSAI
Meet at Japan Airlines check-in counter.
Depart Honolulu for Kansai, via Japan Airlines Flight #JO-77.
Cross International Dateline.
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 Beach Tower Okinawa
CHATAN
(B) (L)
Northern Tour – Visiting:
Leave hotel.
 Nago City Hall – a brief visit with Nago Mayor Yoshikazu
Shimabukuro.
 Bashofu Banana Cloth Center – 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.
Lunch
 Okinawa Expo Park/ 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 Tropical Dream Center,
full of colorful flowers such as orchids, and the Oceanic Culture
Museum.
Overnight in Chatan at The Beach Tower Okinawa
CHATAN
(B)
Visiting:
Leave hotel.
 Murasaki Mura – various hands-on craft activities. We will paint a
“shisa” to take home.
 Kin Village – see Toyama Kyuzo statue and meet with Kin Mayor
Tsuyoshi Gibu.
Lunch in Ginoza.
 Mayor of Chatan – visit Chatan City Hall and meet Chatan Mayor
Masaharu Nogumi.
 American Village – restaurants, shops, and Jusco.
 Optional: Rinkin Band – approximately $30.00 per person.
Overnight in Chatan at The Beach Tower Okinawa
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OCT 08
(WED)
8:00am
9:15am
11:30am
1:30pm
2:30pm
4:00pm
OCT 09
(THU)
8:00am
9:00am
10:30am
12:00pm
1:00pm
2:00pm
3:00pm
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
Lunch on own at cafeteria.
Check-in hotel.
 Mayor of Naha – meet Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga.
 Okinawa Prefectural Museum – Okinawa has developed a unique
nature and culture based on its geographic conditions. The Okinawa
Prefectural Museum 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 Shurijo Castle, and national protected species such as the
Yanbaru kuina (Okinawa rail) and the Iriomote wildcat.
Shopping at San-A (a large shopping center).
Overnight in Naha at Hotel Sun Palace Kyuyo
NAHA
(B) (L)
Southern Tour - Visiting:
Leave hotel.
 Cornerstone of Peace Park and Okinawa Memorial Museum –
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.
Lunch
 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-toh War Memorial Monument – 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.
 Bingata Textile Center - Dyeing and weaving – Bingata is one of
Okinawa’s out-standing fabrics and has a proud 500year history. The
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OCT 10
(FRI)
OCT 11
(SAT)
8:00am
8:30am
11:00am
11:30am
1:00pm
4:00pm
OCT 12
(SUN)
3:00pm
OCT 13
(MON)
11:40am
1:35pm
10:00pm
10:20am
abundant variety and production methods found here are seen
nowhere else.
Overnight in Naha at Hotel Sun Palace Kyuyo
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
Taketomi Island. The old Okinawa still exists on this island with its retile roofs and stonewalls. Star sands can be found on Taketomi Island
(Lunch included) approximately $350.00 per person.
Overnight in Naha at Hotel Sun Palace Kyuyo
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 Shuri Castle. Built during the reign of King Sho
Shin from 1953 to 1571.
 Shuri Castle – 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. Shuri Castle 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.
Lunch on own.
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 Hotel Sun Palace Kyuyo
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.
Overnight in Naha at Hotel Sun Palace Kyuyo
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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