Private tour in Naha Kumiko T
5.0
(20) reviews
8 hours
1
8 hours
1
Kumiko T.
5.0
Guide rating
302
Reviews
Tours delivered
6 hrs
Avg. response time
"Enjoy a relaxing and fun trip with an energetic, friendly guide in beautiful islands of Okinawa!" I have been guiding in Okinawa since 2008! I love guiding visitors around Okinawa because I have been interested in a unique history and culture of Okinawa, which are very different from those of mainland Japan. Also how can I resist introducing tourists to amazing natural wonders of Okinawa including lush green subtropical rain forest, unbelievably clear beautiful sea and underwater world, and heavenly beautiful starry sky? I love the peace-loving spirit of Okinawa. Okinawa is the birthplace of karate. I take karate lessons twice a week as I have been impressed by the karate spirit: "the spirit focusing not on winning, but rather on not losing; of not attacking, but rather defending life; and the continual training of the self to achieve this. " In order to satisfy you with a great experience about Okinawa Karate and Okinawa Kobudo, I go to one of the most famous traditional Okinawa Kobudo dojos "Bunbukan". I am a black belt holder (3rd dan) for karate and a black belt holder (3rd dan) for kobudo. I can arrange visits or experience lessons to these dojos for you! While I am not working, I enjoy outdoors and try to go to the gym as much as possible to take classes (boxercise, dance, and muscle-building). I like training my body and having fun with everybody in the classes as well as I feel refreshed after that and feel recharged for work the next day. Also I love joining a study tour led by a university professor, a staff member from the culture section of board of education of local municipalities, or a curator of a museum. For a history-loving person like me, it is always interesting to know more deeply about the history of Okinawa. I am extremely energetic and have been researching many nice places for you to dine in. I can make your stay in Okinawa a memorable one, hoping you will become a big fan of Okinawa as well! * August 2005 Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies at University of Maryland University College * 2007 TOEIC 970 * December 2007 Okinawa Prefecture Licensed Guide Interpreter * January 2008 National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter * November 2009 Itinerary Control Manager *2010 Certified as a Nakijin Castle Site Guide by Nakijin Village Board of Education * 2011 Certified as a Naha Walking Guide by Naha City Tourism Association * 2014 Certified as a Nago Walking Guide by Nago City Tourism Association * 2016 Certified as a Ginowan City Cultural Properties Guide by Ginowan City Board of Education * 2017 Certified as a Astronomy Guide (Associate Guide) * 2018 Certified as a PADI Open Water Diver and a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver * 2021 Certified as an Okinawa KARATE Guide Interpreter by Okinawa government *2022 Certified as a Yaese Town Guide by Yaese Tourism Association *2023 Certified as a Peace Guide by Okinawa Prefecture Tourism Volunteer Association *2023 Certified as a Haebaru Town Guide *2024 Certified as a Kitanakagusuku Village Guide by Kitanakaguduku Village Tourism Association *2024 Certified as a Naha City Walking Tour Guide by Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau None
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Kumiko T.
In the Meiji Period, a foreign teacher was impressed by the splendid beauty of Shikina Royal Garden, saying "It is like a jewel encrusted garden!" As we stroll around the garden, which uniquely combined with Japanese, Chinese and Okinawan architecture and landscape styles, I will talk about how the Shuri Royal Government entertained Chinese envoys here as a guest house and how royal families felt relaxed as a vacation home. Okinawa representing only 0. 6% of the area of Japan, many orchid species are concentrated in Okinawa. Bios on the Hill is an orchid wonderland! While walking around the park, you will enjoy the pleasant atmosphere, an abundance of orchids and other flowers, animal and insect life. Chinese first came to Naha some 600 years ago from Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, establishing a community. That is where Fukushu Garden is located now. As you enjoy walking around the garden which beautifully showcases the changing seasons, you will learn the deep ties between the Ryukyu Kingdom and China.
While offering suggested itineraries, Kumiko was very careful to understand what we wanted to do and see in Okinawa. My ability to climb up and down stairs, and walk extended distances is also limited, and she took all factors into consideration to plan our day. Kumiko was right there on time as we disembarked from our ship, and got us to the airport as planned. She was a font of knowledge about all sites we visited, and we had a great day.
Kumiko was excellet!! Extremely knowledgeable on the history and other facts of Okinawa. She was opened to modify our tour at the last minute and took us to a small beach that we really enjoyed. The lunch we had at the market was really good and for a great price. The vehicles provided were clean and comfortable. I fully recommend Kumiko as an excellent tour guide.
Kumiko is a one-of-a-kind very special tour guide that goes out of her way to make us happy. On this Roots & Experience & Foodie Tour, she took us to the Main Gate Shuri Castle then to a coral dyeing craft experience. We learned to paint coral designs on to tote bags and hanging cloths. That was a fun hands-on experience. Kumiko took us to a wonderful Okinawan soba shop. Then we went to the town of Yonabaru, birthplace of my four grandparents. Kumiko had done some research at the Prefectural Library on her own time, and set up a meeting at Yonabaru Town Office to get the addresses. We were able to visit the exact location of my mom’s parents and visit the neighborhood hamlet of my dad’s parents. What a wonderful emotional day for me. My heart was grateful for the courage of my grandparents to leave Okinawa to start a new life in Hawai’i. Thank you so much.
Kumiko is a very knowledgeable guide. This itinerary she planned perfectly balanced history, nature, and local culture. For lunch, we enjoyed delicious local Okinawan cuisine at a charming restaurant. The flavors were authentic and memorable! Highly recommended for those seeking a mix of heritage and scenic beauty in Okinawa!
Kumiko San gave us one of the most amazing tours I have ever had with this company. She was so friendly and knowledgeable and her love of the island was so infectious! We were able to see many of the sights with her excellent planning and had lunch in an excellent local restaurant—somewhere we would never have found on our own. They even had a vegetarian lunch for me! We cannot wait to come back again and visit with another tour from her. I would give Kumiko San my highest recommendation. If you can, book your tour with her. You will have a wonderful time!
Great tour with a great guide! Kumiko was fun and knowledgeable. We are so glad we booked a trip with her.
* Please be informed you wear sport or walking shoes with a slip resistant outsole. Especially Shuri Castle and- Shkina Royal Garden is paved with Ryukyu lime stone, which is slippery. - Short Stop at Shurireimon Gate and Sonohyan Utaki Ishimon Gate at Shuri Castle (World Heritage Sites) - Walk around Shkina Royal Garden (World Heritage Site) (JPY400 per PAX) - Lunch at a delicious local cuisine restaurant (I can arrange another place according to your preference. ) - Short hike and a lake tour boat ride at Bios on the Hill (JPY2200 per PAX) - Stroll around Fukushu Garden (JPY200 per PAX) Notes: Shikina Royal Garden and Fukushu Garden are closed on Wednesdays, Bios on the Hill is closed on Tuesdays, and you will not be able to see the main buildings at Shuri Castle. If you are still interested in booking the tour on Wednesday or Tuesday, kindly contact me so I can provide other alternatives.
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*Clean, spacious, comfortable taxi with A/C (up to 4 travellers): private van with a driver *
Naha, Okinawa, Japan
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8 hours
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8 hours
1
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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