Step onto the training floor in Naha for a karate lesson with local instructors. Learn foundational movements and practise a martial art developed in Okinawa, where its techniques became part of the islands’ cultural identity.

The lesson offers a hands-on introduction to the focus, control and discipline behind karate. Rather than watching a demonstration, you’ll have the chance to try its movements for yourself in the art’s birthplace.

Travel by ferry to Aka and Zamami, two islands in the Kerama chain off Okinawa’s main island. Their clear turquoise waters, pale beaches and unhurried villages offer a different perspective on island life in Japan.

On Aka, choose how to explore: seek out a scenic viewpoint, spend time by the shore, or arrange activities such as cycling or snorkelling independently. A further ferry crossing brings you to Zamami’s white-sand coastline. Hire and activity costs, where applicable, are not specified as included.

Cycle 27 kilometres along Okinawa’s coast from Chatan towards Onna, riding past beaches, limestone cliffs and open views of the East China Sea. The route makes the island’s shoreline an active part of the experience rather than scenery glimpsed through a window.

Pause at Cape Zanpa Lighthouse, set on a rugged headland above the water. Its exposed coastal setting offers a natural place to take in the sea views and photograph one of Okinawa’s recognisable landmarks.

Explore Ogimi Village with a Local Guide in northern Okinawa and learn about the community traditions associated with the island’s reputation for longevity. Hear how everyday relationships, local beliefs and ikigai—a sense of purpose feature in village life.

Share an included farm-to-table lunch made with local ingredients and regional dishes, with stories that connect the food to its place of origin. The combination of guided conversation and a locally rooted meal offers insight into Okinawan life beyond its beaches.

Join an Okinawan dinner with a Shima no Uta performance, featuring traditional island songs and energetic dancing. The evening pairs a shared meal with live music, offering a lively introduction to the islands’ performing traditions.

Okinawa’s folk music reflects the Ryukyu Islands’ distinct cultural heritage. Listen to the rhythms and melodies while experiencing the convivial atmosphere of a local performance. This experience is optional, at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Discover the Blue Cave near Onna, a coastal grotto known for the blue light that illuminates its water. This optional outing offers a closer look at Okinawa’s marine landscape beyond the beaches and headlands visible from shore.

The cave’s colour comes from sunlight filtering through the water, creating a distinctive glow inside the grotto. Activity details and the method of access are confirmed locally. This experience is optional, at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Go ziplining in Yambaru for an active perspective on northern Okinawa’s lush landscape. The experience offers a burst of speed and a view across the greenery that contrasts with the island’s better-known coastal scenery.

Yambaru is characterised by subtropical forest, giving this adventure a distinctly different setting from a beach activity. It is a choice for travellers who want to add an adrenaline-focused outing to their time in Okinawa. This experience is optional, at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Take an off-road buggy ride through the wild landscapes of Yambaru in northern Okinawa. Leave paved coastal roads behind for a more rugged way to experience this green corner of the island.

The outing brings a different kind of energy to an area known for its subtropical scenery: expect an active ride rather than a conventional sightseeing stop. Route and participation details are confirmed locally. This experience is optional, at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Look up at Ishigaki’s night sky on an optional stargazing experience. Away from Japan’s major cities, the island’s dark-sky setting makes the heavens a compelling part of its natural appeal.

Settle into the quieter pace of the Yaeyama Islands and spend time observing the sky above this far-southern corner of Japan. Visibility depends on weather and conditions on the night. This experience is optional, at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Paddle mangrove-lined waterways on Iriomote Island and trek through subtropical jungle to a secluded waterfall. This optional adventure combines time on the water with a walk into the island’s densely vegetated interior.

Part of the Yaeyama Islands near Ishigaki, Iriomote is known for its extensive natural landscapes. Moving from tidal channels into forest reveals two sides of its environment in a single outing. This experience is optional, at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Contiki

• 6 Breakfast (B)
• 1 Lunch (L)

• Naha: Step onto the training floor and try your hand at one of Okinawa’s most famous cultural traditions. Guided by local instructors, you’ll learn the fundamentals of karate right here in its birthplace. 
• Aka Island: Catch the ferry to Aka and Zamami Islands, two tropical gems in the Keramashoto National Park. We’ll spend the day hiking to scenic viewpoints, snorkelling coral reefs, exploring by bike or simply unwind beside crystal-clear water and white-sand beaches.
• Cape Zanpa Lighthouse: Jump on your bike and follow Okinawa’s spectacular coastline on a 27km ride from Chatan to Onna. Along the way, you’ll pass beaches, limestone cliffs and ocean views before reaching the iconic Cape Zanpa Lighthouse overlooking the East China Sea.
• Yambaru National Park: Step inside one of Okinawa’s famous Blue Zones (AKA regions where people are known for living longer, healthier lives than average). With a Local Guide, you’ll learn about the traditions, mindset and everyday habits that help shape a life of wellness here, including the Okinawan concept of ikigai and the strong sense of purpose, connection and balance it encourages. Then sit down to an included farm-to-table lunch packed with fresh local ingredients and regional flavours.
• Ishigaki: Swap Okinawa’s main island for the tropical landscapes of Ishigaki. After a short flight south, you’ll arrive at the gateway to the Yaeyama Islands, known for its vivid blue water, white-sand beaches and laid-back island atmosphere.