An island-hopping tour in Japan’s paradise—the outer islands of Okinawa

【１】Cycling: you can enjoy exhilarating cycling on an e-bike (electric bicycle) through the spectacular scenery and scenic spots of Tokashiki.

【２】Traditional Okinawan Sabani boat experience: enjoy snorkeling and have a delicious lunch on a beautiful desert island beach from where you can get on a Sabani.

【３】Sunset tour: appreciate the Zamami sunset on the horizon from the best vantage point.

【４】Village walk: guided tour of the old and beautiful Asa hamlet.

【５】Visiting Maejima Island: a former community buried under trees after 60 years of being uninhabited, it’s a mysterious island where you can still feel the lives of the past.

【６】Night tour: take an adventure night tour to encounter nocturnal creatures.

【７】Sustainable diving: a special experience to feel the great nature of the Okinawan outer-islands by learning about projects to preserve the islands’ biodiversity and by participating in a sustainable guided tour.

【Day 1】 Transit from Naha to the Kerama area. First, we arrive in Zamami Island. The one-hour trip takes you to a completely different world. This opens the door to the outer-island tour that you were waiting for, which you’ll experience for a week. The activity for the day is to go on an e-bike tour. Enjoy the spectacular views.

【Day 2】 Sabani experience: Sabani, a traditional Okinawan wooden boat, was used for fishing and also as a means of transportation delivering products during the Ryukyu Kingdom era. With its long, narrow hull controlled by sails and oars, it is said to be an exceptional boat with great wave-riding ability and maneuverability even over the waters of the shallow coral reef, which is very rare. After the war, engine-powered boats became mainstream, and the sail-hauled Sabani was once said to be an endangered tradition. In recent years, however, a mission has been started to pass on ship-making and ship-handling techniques as well as allowing enjoyment of Sabani among those who love the Sabani culture and value Sabani as a new tourism attraction.

【Day 2】 Sunset tour: on Zamami Island, which is located on the western side of the Kerama Islands, you can see the sun setting into the horizon. Spending a leisurely time before dinner is what even local people look forward to.

【Days 3 and 4】 E-bike (electric bicycle) cycling: day 3 is touring around Aka Island, Geruma Island, and Fukaji-jima Island. You can feel the history and culture of three islands that are connected by bridge in the present day. On day 4, we tour around Tokashiki Island, which is the biggest of the Kerama Islands. You can enjoy the constant fabulous scenic view at 100 – 200 meters above sea level. You have a great view of the Okinawa mainland and all the islands that you have toured up to this point.

【Day 4】 Night tour: the Kerama Islands, which are designated as a national park, have a rich ecosystem. Especially at night, you can encounter nocturnal creatures. that are completely different from those you see in the daytime.

【Day 5】 Sustainable diving: we will introduce projects and efforts to preserve the marine environment organized by diving and snorkeling shop owners. After learning about monitoring methods and the change in the records, you will actually try scuba diving. You can see the crystal-clear water of the Kerama sea and its rich ecosystem including coral reefs. You can learn about people’s passion for protecting this environment and learn about the island’s efforts to preserve biodiversity through this sustainable diving tour.

【Day 6】 Maejima Island visit: this is the only tour that will take you to Maejima Island with a guide who is from this very island. Seeing the stone walls and streets of the village that are no longer inhabited and which are covered with banyan trees and other plants allows an experience as if time has stood still. It is special to feel firsthand the atmosphere of a former age and witness how 60 years of time has gradually covered the former community in nature. It is interesting to compare this island with other islands that have been developed as tourist destinations. It is also fascinating to see several spots that remind you of the old days and the local guide will share stories of life back in time.

【Day 6】 Traditional cuisine experience from 60 years ago: we will have a lunch recreated from a dish of the island-born guide’s childhood. It is not a gourmet meal but this will be a very valuable experience to learn about the lives of people in those days.

【Day 6】 Local cuisine party: enjoy the traditional island dishes that use plenty of locally sourced ingredients. A part of the program is a workshop where you can cook the traditional food with the local people.

【Day 7】 Time to reflect: spend the morning of the last day more leisurely