Okinawa & Hokkaido - Cherry Blossoms & Winter Festivals

15 days 14 nights

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Single Supplement: USD $1260.00

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The Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters was constructed in 1944 by the Japanese Naval Engineering Corps. It housed around 4000 soldiers and was commanded by Admiral Minoru Ota during the Battle of Okinawa. The bleak atmosphere of this museum sets in from the moment you enter; walking long, narrow, gloomy stone hallways lined with thin utility pipes paints an affecting picture of the horrible conditions during the intense battle of Okinawa. Each room you pass adds a new layer of emotion to the overall experience as you see the places the soldiers lived and even died, as one of the rooms was used to accomplish suicide by hand grenade when the battle became hopeless. The museum also keeps recovered documents from the base, uniforms and weapons, and various personal articles of the soldiers stationed here. It includes a copy of a telegram sent from Admiral Ota to his commanders, which makes special mention of the courage and sacrifices made by the people of Okinawa.

An Okinawa Cooking Class offers the unique opportunity to understand both local Japanese cuisine and the incredible longevity of the Okinawan people. The people of Okinawa have become known for their incredible longevity, and though its partly because of genetics, their diet does play a major part in the long lives of the Okinawans. The Okinawa diet is typically low in fat and carbohydrates, with less meat and protein. The focus of the diet is usually on vegetables, grains like rice, and soy products, and the meat consumed is usually healthy seafoods. The Okinawa Cooking Class offers the opportunity to work with these foods to create simple, healthy dishes in a friendly and relaxed environment, under the guidance of an expert instructor.

Awamori is a type of liquor that is native to Okinawa, and is separate from Japanese sake. Unlike sake, it made from long-grain indica rice and is distilled rather than brewed using a time-honored, 500-year-old process involving rice, water, yeast, and a cultivated mold called "black koji". It is then stored for a long time, giving the flavor a chance to mature. Awamori has a long history in Okinawa, predating their absorption into the nation of Japan, back in the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom, when Awamori was sent as a gift by the Ryukyu king to the Tokugawa shogun. There are different varieties of the liquor, including kusu, which Awamori that is three years or older (which deepens the flavor), and hanazake, a higher proof awamori "flower wine" produced mainly on Yonaguni Island. An especially famous kind is called Habushu, a clear yellow awamori with a deadly habu pit viper bottled inside. During the Awamori Distillery Tour, visitors have the opportunity to learn more of the history and process behind the making of Awamori.

Kokusai dori is a broad shopping thoroughfare that runs through the heart of Naha city in Okinawa. Kokusai means "International" and the street was named for the Ernie Pyle International Theatre, which catered to soldiers coming from the nearby American military bases. The boulevard experienced major growth as a commercial hotspot, becoming a "Miracle Mile" for growing Okinawa's economy back from the destruction it suffered during WW2. Kokusai-dori is now one of the best places for tourists to shop Okinawa souvenirs and taste local treats, offering everything from Chinsuko cookies to Blue Seal ice cream to Habu snake wine. Several covered shopping arcades branch off from Kokusai Dori, packed with smaller shops and stalls that cater to local needs, selling local produce, cookware, clothing, furniture, appliances, medicine, and cosmetics.

Makishi Public Market was established in Naha in the 1950s after WW2 and quickly became one of Naha's top public produce markets. The market was recently rebuilt and refurbished in 2023, but its overall atmosphere still retains the feel of visiting an old Okinawan seafood market. On the first floor of the market, one can find fresh seafood, pork, and produce of all kinds, including a popular local vegetable with a bitter taste called goya. After shoppers buy meat and seafood on the first floor, they can have them cooked up on the second floor. You can look for seafood you haven't tried before, such as parrotfish, green turban snails, lobsters, or shellfish. The second floor is laid out in the style of a food court, and includes various eateries where you can try various kinds of local Okinawan dishes.

Sefa-Utaki is a sacred place in the Ryukyu religion - the native pre-Japanese religion of Okinawa. The Ryukyu Island people had animist beliefs similar to (and later affected by) Japanese Shinto, especially regarding the worship of ancestors, and included belief in the existence of gods and spirits, and these were worshiped at special sacred places called Utaki, which were always connected to the natural world. The creation goddess worshiped by the Ryukyu people was Amamikyu, who made Okinawa and the nearby islands, and came to live there. The Sefa-Utaki marks the place where she initially came to earth. Large stones form a triangle-shaped opening, which is a significant feature of the utaki. Within is an altar where people came to pray, and two stalactites which occasionally dripped holy water that was used by local priestesses to foretell the future.

Okinawa World is a theme park about the culture and nature of Okinawa. The main attraction of Okinawa World is the Gyokusendo Cave, an enormous limestone cave that is the largest cave on Okinawa, and the second largest in Japan. The cave stretches for about 5 km, but visitors can only walk 850 meters (about half a mile) through the cave on a raised platform, with warm interior lighting that allows for easy views of the cave scenery. This includes hundreds of stalactites and stalagmites, an underground river, little waterfalls, and a variety of cave-dwelling critters including bats, fish, insects, and small reptiles. Travelers are requested to wear warm clothing while exploring the cave as the temperature drops significantly the further in you go. In addition to Gyokusendo Cave, Okinawa World also has a traditional Ryukyu craft village and a Habu Snake Museum.

In June of 1945, the armies and navies of the United States and her allies clashed with Imperial Japan in what was to be the bloodiest battle of World War 2's Pacific Theater - the Battle of Okinawa. Okinawa's Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate that event and the lives - both soldiers and civilians - who were lost in the battle. The central feature of the park is the Peace Memorial Museum, which offers provoking exhibits on the battle, including the events leading to it and the post-battle reconstruction. The Park also features the Cornerstone of Peace, bearing over 200,000 names of those who fought in the battle regardless of what side they were on, as well as memorial monuments donated by Japan's other prefectures.

The Himeyuri, or Lily Princess Corps, were a group of 222 high school girls and 18 teachers who served as nurses during the Battle of Okinawa, one of the bloodiest battles of WW2. The girls who served in the Himeyuri were told when they signed up that they would be serving in a Red Cross facility away from the battle, but in truth they were sent to care for wounded soldiers on the front lines. The majority of them never returned, having perished due to the battle or having committed suicide to avoid capture. The Himeyuri Peace Museum consists of exhibits related to the girls, memorabilia from their lives, and guided tours by Himeyuri survivors. The Museum and Monument are maintained in commitment to a peaceful world and to the memory of the girls who died.

Experience a rare inside look at traditional Ryukyuan culture through an unforgettable evening of dance performances and local cuisine during the Ryukyu Dance and Okinawan Dinner Show. Traditional Ryukyu dance encompasses many kinds of dances. Some of these were formal dances performed for the king at state occasions, and others were simpler folk dances performed at seasonal festivals. A mix of formal and folk dances will be performed at the dinner show. They also prepare a exquisite meal of delectable Okinawa cuisine. The meals have similarities to traditional Japanese cuisine, but they include special dishes that offer a local twist to the meals The meals include such elements as rice, pickled vegetables, pork, fish, seaweed, and tofu.

Tamaudun Mausoleum is a large stone landmark in Naha, Okinawa, which houses the deceased members of the Ryukyu Kingdom's second Sho Dynasty, which was the last royal house to rule Okinawa before it was made a part of Japan. The mausoleum has a distinctive Ryukyuan architecture, having been modeled after Shuri Castle and featuring statues of guardian lions known as shisa. It is considered a part of the Historic Sites of the Ryukyu Kingdom UNESCO World Heritage Site. The interior of the mausoleum is divided into three rooms - one for the bodies of kings and queens, one for the bodies of princes and princesses, and a third room which was used to ceremonially wash the bones. The mausoleum was extensively damaged during WW2, but has since been repaired.

Shuri Castle was built in the 14th century, eventually becoming the palatial dwelling of the king of Ryukyu. Locally, it is known as a "gusuku", which is a Ryukyuan style fortress. Visitors to Shuri castle who are familiar with mainland Japanese castles and palaces will readily recognize differences in the Ryukyuan design. In addition to governmental administration of the kingdom, the castle also served religious purposes and housed several 'utaki" or sacred places. The castle was burned down a few times through the centuries, such as when it was used as a command post for the Japanese Army during WW2. Most recently, the castle was partially burned due to a fire in October of 2019, and is being reconstructed to reach its former glory. The castle is considered a part of the Historic Sites of the Ryukyu Kingdom UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the most peaceful spots for a walk in Naha, Shikina-en Garden was once a private garden of the Ryukyu royal family. Visitors can take a stroll around the path that winds around the large pond in the center, admiring the peaceful pond, local trees, stone bridges, and old-fashioned buildings that make this garden unique. The garden was built next to a Ryukyuan palace villa that is now open to the public, who can enjoy views of the garden from the windows of its tatami rooms. Shikina-en Royal Gardens was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site List as a part of the Historic Sites of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The Mihama American Village was built as American bases were established on Okinawa to provide a "home away from home" for soldiers off-duty, but its unique charms attract both locals and tourists to its rare collection of stores proffering nostalgic, heartwarming American kitsch, sometimes with an Okinawan twist. The restaurants are also a mix of American and Japanese: a classic American-style diner, a hamburger grill, an ice-cream parlor, and an eatery selling Philly- style cheesesteaks sit side-by-side with restaurants offering sushi, soba, shabu-shabu, and wagyu beef, and a snack stop offering fresh-roasted rice crackers. Its location near some of the American military bases on the island make Mihama popular with off-duty soldiers.

On Okinawa Main Island's northern region, travelers can hike trails through Daisekirinzan National Park. Daisekirinzan means "Great Stone Forest Mountain", so called for the large limestone karst rising from the center of the park, covered in lush greenery. This geological marvel was created by erosion over a long period of time, now preserved by Japan as a natural wonder that visitors can enjoy via hiking trails. The Subtropical Forest Trail takes hikers through an enchanting region filled with fascinating rock formations accented by unspoiled forests. One of the star attractions of this route are the groves of Chinese banyan trees, including Japan's largest banyan tree. Along the way, visitors may feel a spiritual resonance, as this land, located in Okinawa's Ashimui region, includes over 40 utaki - natural places of worship in the native Ryukyuan religion.

The Higashi-son Fureai Hirugi Park is located on the main island of Okinawa. It's main attraction is the hirugi mangroves, which cover the shores of the Kesaji River and Gesashi Bay. There are three different kinds of hirugi trees in the forest - the Ohirugi, Mehirugi, and Yaehama Hirugi. The region also has a unique ecosystem, and visitors may spot local wildlife while exploring, including fiddler crabs, Ishikawa's frogs, and possibly even the rare Okinawa rail. This beautiful forest can be enjoyed in many ways - some visitors want to travel the river by canoe, but one of the most popular ways to experience the forest is to walk the elevated wooden promenade that extends through the forest, allowing visitors to view these incredible trees and its wildlife up close.

The Nago Castle Park Cherry Blossom Festival a cherry blossom viewing event held at the historic Nago Castle Ruins. The cherry blossoms in Okinawa bloom earlier than the rest of Japan, so the season to see the flowers runs between late January and early February, and the festival itself is usually held the last Saturday and Sunday in January. The type of cherry blossoms that bloom in Okinawa are the hikanzakura, which are shaped differently than those on the Japanese mainland (more of a bell shape), and are a brighter shade of pink. The flowers can be mostly seen in the higher regions of the park around the ruins. There are a few special places there that offer especially good views, such as "Sakura Bridge", which offers a panoramic view of the mountain side.

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is located on Okinawa Main Island and is widely considered to be one of Japan's top aquariums. Originally a marine life aquarium exhibit for the 1975 Okinawa International Expo, the aquarium fell into disrepair before it was rebuilt and renamed "Churaumi", which means "Graceful Ocean". It is one of the only aquariums in the world capable of breeding larger sea creatures, and they have tanks with manta rays and whale sharks in tanks for people to view within its "Kuroshio" Tank. One of the aquarium's most popular attractions, the Kuroshio Tank is massive, making visitors feel as though they have stepped into an ocean world. There is even a place to view the tank from underneath! There are many other marine exhibits and activities to do as well.

Kouri Bridge is a bridge in Okinawa, connecting the Okinawa Main Island with Kouri Island - a tiny island off the northern coast. The bridge is Okinawa's second- longest bridge (6,430 ft / 1,960 m), and is popular with tourists and locals for the incredible scenic views it presents. From the bridge, visitors can appreciate a beautiful ocean view that ranges in color from aquamarine to cobalt blue, bordered by the green island coastline. They can also view Frog Island, a tiny rock off the coast shaped like a sitting frog. The bridge has driving lanes and a sidewalk, so some visitors enjoy a 30-minute walk to Kouri Island, taking extra time to admire the stunning seascape.

The Nakijin Castle Ruins are on the island of Okinawa, and are one of Okinawa's UNESCO World Heritage Sites related to the Kingdom of Ryukyu. The fortress once served as the seat of power for the Hokuzan Kingdom - a principality located on northern Okinawa island, and was eventually conquered when Hokuzan was made a part of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In 1609, the Japanese invaded and established the Ryukyu Kingdom as a dependent state of feudal Japan's Satsuma domain. They destroyed Nakijin Castle and it was never rebuilt, but its ruins are an impressive reminder of what the castle once was. The ruins are an especially popular place to visit in late January - early February, when the Okinawa cherry blossoms begin to bloom.

The Nakijin Cherry Blossom Festival is a celebration of the brief cherry blossom blooming season at the Nakijin Castle Ruins - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former fortress for the Ryukyu Kingdom. The cherry blossoms come to Okinawa earlier than anywhere else in Japan, from late January to February, bright pink cherry trees around the ruins bloom with bright pink flowers, and there is a pleasant walkway through the ruins that leads visitors to some of the best views. At night, the cherry blossoms are illuminated, and colored lights are projected to cover the walls in waves of changing colors - as if the whole castle is wrapped in a large rainbow.

Initially opened in 1990, the Porotokan Ainu Museum was dedicated to cataloging, preserving, and teaching the history and culture of the original native peoples of Hokkaido: the Ainu people. In 2018, however, the Porotokan closed down in order to clear the way for the new and expanded National Ainu Museum. This newer museum’s philosophy is based on the ideals of multicultural coexistence and presents various exhibits divided into six separate Ainu-centered themes: history, language, lifestyle, livelihood, worldview, and trade with other peoples. The museum is one building in a larger facility called Upopoy (“singing in a large group” in Ainu language). This facility includes, in addition to the museum, a National Park near Lake Poroto, and a Memorial Site for deceased Ainu.

Lake Shikotsu is the northernmost ice-free lake which is 363 meters deep. This festival features a moss-covered cave, which has evergreen draped on the inside and is covered in ice. This festival is held from late January to mid February. This festival features ice sculptures, small and large. At night the sculptures are illuminated by different colored lights. There is a fireworks show during the festival as well.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is held during one week every February in Hokkaido's capital Sapporo. It is one of Japan's most popular winter events. The Sapporo Snow Festival was started in 1950, when high school students built a few snow statues in Odori Park. It has since developed into a large, commercialized event, featuring spectacular snow and ice sculptures and attracting more than two million visitors from Japan and across the world. The Snow Festival is staged on three sites: the Odori Site, Susukino Site and Tsu Dome Site.

Home of the Sapporo 1972 Winter Olympics, the Okurayama Ski Jump is a 90 meter high skiing structure that is still used today. Since it is an all- weather structure, it’s still used not only during winter seasons, but summer as well. However, it is not open to the public when there are special events in progress. The public can enter the museum at the bottom of the Okurayama Ski Jump structure. There are also exhibits, documents, and general Olympic Winter Sports information displayed in the museum for guests to enjoy.

The Historic Village of Hokkaido is a restored area based of what remained from the Meiji era and Taisho era. It is now an open-air museum with shops, households, and horse-drawn trams that run through the village. It displays various buildings and shops that were once constructed during Hokkaido’s growing development, including 60 different buildings from all over this northern island. It is also a place where many who lost their positions in the Edo Shogunate went to start their lives anew, especially samurai. It is located in the suburbs of Sapporo. It consists residential, mountainous, fishing, and agricultural zones.

The glass made in Otaru is refined and is made in many workshops that also offer hands-on experience for guests who take interest in making their own glassware for a fee. Otaru is located in the prefecture of Hokkaido, neighboring the city of Sapporo. Aside from glass workshops, there are also many cafés, restaurants, and other shops that also allow guests to admire and purchase their artistic glass.

Among the many shops found on Sakaimichi Street is the Otaru Music Box Museum. It not only displays various objects, but also sells a wide range of music boxes, some of which are more elaborate than others; some move and others light up along with their melody. Midst the various types of music boxes are some made from glass, wood, or even traditional Japanese fabric, some are fashioned after sushi or Western-themed concepts. These music boxes also carry different songs according to a collection that the establishment has at their disposable.

The Otaru Canal was employed by businesses to transport their merchandise to warehouses with smaller ships since the bigger ships could not directly unload their goods to their destinations. However, eventually there was no use for the smaller vessels when the facilities were modernized, making the use of canals less necessary. Now the area is a tourist attraction, during the day people take leisurely walks about the scenic route where there are museums, restaurants, and shops. Furthermore, Otaru Canal is the main site of the Snow Light Path Festival which is celebrated annually during February as a winter festival.

Otaru has been a thriving fishing town since the Edo period, when its network of canals allowed for easy unloading of fishing boats. Years later, though the canals are now a local promenade and tourist hotspot, the fishing industry survives, finding fresh appeal by supporting the city’s top sushi restaurants now lining the Otaru Sushi District. A couple of these restaurants have earned Michelin Stars, and some require a reservation in advance. Some of these restaurants are native to Otaru, but many are more widely established, with branch restaurants all over the world. Otaru has over a hundred sushi restaurants scattered throughout the city, offering a broad variety of sushi dishes to choose from. Select sushi, including the shrimp and sea urchin, are praised as Otaru’s finest offerings.

The Asahikawa Winter Festival is Hokkaido's second largest winter festival after Sapporo's Snow Festival. The festival takes place over a week in early February, about the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival. Hence, it is possible for winter visitors to visit both festivals on the same trip as the two cities are only an 80 minute train ride apart from each other. While Asahikawa may not be able to boast having Hokkaido's biggest winter festival, it certainly has one of the biggest snow sculptures. Every year one massive sculpture is made as a stage for music and other performances. The giant sculpture of a Korean fortress in 1994 even made into the book of Guinness World Records as the largest snow construction built. The giant sculpture has a different theme each year, such as a snowman castle in 2010 or the Daisetsuzan Mountains in 2011.

The Otokoyama Sake Brewery and Museum provides a variety of information and displays for its guests. Mount Taisetsu produces the water used by Otokoyama to produce sake; it is said that the water from Mount Taisetsu will bring longevity to whomever drinks from its spring waters. Sake tastings are also offered as part of the experiences that this sake brewery can offer to guests. Otokoyama’s sake is not only known throughout all of Japan, but also internationally known; it won its first gold medal in 1977 at the International Wine and Spirits Competition, and has won several awards throughout the years.

In an area of 10,000㎡, there will be an exhibit of ice sculptures, light-ups, Hyobaku drums, Ainu ethnic dance, fireworks display, etc.

Among the various waterfalls found in the Sounkyo region, but the most notable ones are the Ginga and Ryusei Waterfall. Apart from sightseeing, tourists and other visitors usually climb the frozen waterfalls during winter to make their way to the peak atop the then frozen columns of ice. They both flow opposite opposite each other at different angles and appear to fall differently from one another; the Ginga Waterfall produces a more elegant fall with a gentler touch than the Ryusei Waterfall, which produces a more jet-like rush of water crashing down along the side of the cliff.

The Ezo red fox, or “Kitakitsune”, is an animal that is endemic to Hokkaido, an island which was once known to the mainland as “Ezo”. Nature-loving travelers on tour in Hokkaido hope for a glimpse of these adorable foxes, popular for their cute faces and fluffy winter coats. In the city of Kitami, the Kitakitsune Farm cares for around 50 foxes, giving them a safe place for them to roam free. Visitors to the farm can watch them wander without fear of disturbing them, since these foxes are especially comfortable around human guests. The fox is an inseparable part of Shinto mythology, appearing in folklore as spirit tricksters, guides, and even romantic partners. They are especially connected to Inari – the Shinto deity of rice and agriculture – as heavenly messengers, and are represented as stone statues to guard Inari’s shrines.

The Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum is located at the top of Mount Tento and exhibits materials related to the drift ice that comes to Abashiri. One of the exhibits provides a drift ice experience where you can actually touch the frozen clumps that came from the Sea of Okhotsk. The room is consistently set at -15° Celsius, which is 5° Fahrenheit. There are creatures that appear when the drift ice comes and one of the most popular species is the Cliones. The Cliones are transparent sea slugs that are more known by their nickname sea angels.

Located on a similar geographical latitude as Portland (Oregon) and Venice (Italy), the Sea of Okhotsk coast of Hokkaido is the northern hemisphere's southernmost region to see drifting sea ice. The sea ice typically reaches the coast around Abashiri in mid to late January and disappears again by late March to mid April. The best time to view it is usually around the second half of February. While drift ice can be observed along the entire Sea of Okhotsk coast from Wakkanai to the Shiretoko Peninsula, it gets thickest around Abashiri. Due to global warming, the amount and thickness of the drift ice has decreased quite considerably since the late 1980s.One of the best and easiest ways to see the drift ice is from the Aurora Sightseeing Boats, which depart from Abashiri Port. Because drift ice is not always visible from the coast, the boats travel out into the Sea of Okhotsk to where ice is more likely to be found.

The Abashiri Prison Museum opened as an open air museum in 1985. The cold, harsh conditions in Abashiri Prison only made conditions worse for the prisoners as food became scarce while still doing hard labor. There are plenty of displays all over the prison of life-size dummies in uniform to exhibit a tangible understanding of previous work and prison conditions in Abashiri Prison.

In 2005, Lake Tofutsu was designated as a registered wetland of the Ramsar Convention. Fresh water and sea water mix in the lake. Various plants and animals live in this place, making it famous for bird watching. One can see about 250 varieties of wild birds through the four seasons. Swans fly here in winter, and about 300 swans live on the lake until spring.

Wakasagi fishing is a great outdoor activity totally different from skiing or snowboarding in Hokkaido. One of the most popular spots to do it is in Lake Akan. During the harsh winter, Lake Akan is frozen over solid! In this tour, you can enjoy wakasagi fishing in a special tent site on the ice of the lake.

The Lake Akan Ainu Kotan is a traditional Ainu village beside Lake Akan in Hokkaido. Kotan means “settlement” in the native language of the Ainu, and this Kotan is Hokkaido’s largest Ainu village. The village reflects ancient Ainu culture and spirituality, which respected much of the natural world, including various animals, as “kamuy” or “powerful spirits”. This belief led to a reverence for nature displayed in art, music, dance, and other elements of Ainu life. A special part of this heritage is a ceremonial dance that is often performed in the community. Additionally, a small museum full of Ainu implements and other native items is a popular attraction among visiting travelers. The Ainu people have lived in Hokkaido since before the Yamato (Japanese) first traveled there, and although they have been largely assimilated into Japanese society, they still some small communities where their way of life lives on.

The red-crowned crane is so important and rare a fowl that it has its own recognized international center located in the city of Kushiro, Hokkaido. This bird is even said to be a harbinger of good luck in general Japanese beliefs, even the indigenous people of Hokkaido said that they were marsh gods of the land. Within the Akan International Crane Center’s vicinity also holds a museum displaying information about the ecosystem and the crane’s life, a crane sanctuary, a breeding center, and also a feeding ground.

The first marshland internationally sanctioned for habitat protection in Japan is the Kushiro Marshlands in 1987, when it was made into a national park. One of the main features of these wetlands is birdwatching where the rare red-crowned crane is among the most favorites to see. This endangered species is unique to Japan and was once thought to have been extinct because of the destruction of the land and due to excess hunting of their kind. Now, the cranes can be seen in every season of the year in the marshlands where they reside.

The Kushiro Washo Market (Kushiro Washo Ichiba) opened in 1949 a short distance from Kushiro Station and is one of the three big markets that can be found in Hokkaido. There are about 60 stalls selling fresh seafood, dried products, meat and vegetables. A popular meal at the market is "Kattedon", a donburi dish where diners can personalize their rice bowl with seafood bought from the vendors.