Private tour in Naha Kumiko T
5.0
(6) reviews
16 hours
1
16 hours
1
Kumiko T.
5.0
Guide rating
302
Reviews
Tours delivered
7 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.
The battle of Okinawa was the longest, bloodiest and the largest sea-land-air in the Pacific War. That is how American people describe the battle. Okinawan describe it as "the typhoon of steel". About one in four Okinawan people perished their lives. When you climb up to the top of Hacksaw Ridge, you can get a clear idea of how a fierce battle was fought and how tough Desmond Doss served to save 75 soldiers. In addition to visiting the six places in the itinerary, this tour leads you to witness the locations in the order of major events that happened during the Battle of Okinawa including "The April 1 US Invasion Beach, " "The Kakazu Ridge, " "The Sugar Loaf site, " and "The June 4 US landing on the Oroku Peninsula, " "The Big Apple Ridge, " and "The Mabuni Hill". The battle of Okinawa caused a tremendous loss to both Japan and the US. You will realize how important life is and how precious peace is. Join me, a history-loving local guide, on my tour around the war historical sites!
We had a great time with Kumiko as she took us all the places that my dad fought in World War II in Okinawa. It was awesome to visit places that must of the public wouldn't have excess to. She did great job explaining the events that took place ever where she took us. I love the passion she exhibit to make sure we knew what happen in Okinawa during World War II.
Kumiko was an outstanding guide. Very knowledgeable not only about WW2 but about culture and Okinawa generally. In addition she was so lovely and we did have some fun with her. Our tour was over two days. Carefully structured and guided. Two brilliant lunch stops where her local knowledge paid off (getting us into a brilliant fish restaurant.) We would never have found that.
A most informative tour with a guide well versed in Okinawa’s history. Kumiko not only knows the story of Okinawa, she presents it in a most pleasant and friendly manner. We enjoyed every minute of the tour.
For anyone interested in history and particularly WWII in the South Pacific, this is your tour and do not hesitate to book it. Kumiko-san will take you in chronological order from the landing area to ridge after ridge on a three month journey between US forces (supported by Allied naval forces) and Japan to secure Okinawa for attacks on mainland Japan. She will tell you about the terrible losses on both sides, including civilians. You'll see Japanese headquarters both above and below ground, battle sites, caves that served as a refuge for military and civilians. She is very knowledgeable and answers questions well about many topics. The driver is very safe and friendly as well. Many of these sites cannot be reached by public transportation and would be difficult to navigate in a rental car as well. Not recommended for those with balance and mobility issues without accomodations.
Kumiko did a wonderful job preparing a tour of the path my father took during the Battle of Okinawa. She researched his 1st Division 5th Regiment Marine involvement in this battle 80 years ago. Kumiko brought us to really nice restaurants including a fish market with the best seafood. Kumiko constantly went out of her way for us and she made sure we got to see all the important sites and learned the history about the Battle of Okinawa. I recommend her highly if you are interested in a tour of the Battle of Okinawa.
Kumiko is an outstanding tour guide. She communicated well with me before our scheduled tour; she met us promptly at our hotel with a taxi driver in a very comfortable car; she took us to two sites that specifically interested me and she provided detailed facts about the WWII battles in the Pacific theater. She was terrific.
Day One 9:00 Hotel 9:45 to 10:10 Toguchi Beach & (beach for the invasion) 10:25 to 10:50 Chibichiri Gama (Sad Cave) 10:55 to 11:30 Shimuku Gama (Happy Cave) 12:30 to 13:00 Kakazu Ridge Wana Draw 13:15 to 14:15 Okinawa Soba Noodle Restaurant (JPY1000 to 2000 per person) 14:20 to 15:10 Hacksaw Ridge 15:30 to 15:45 Sugar Loaf Hill 16:00 to 16:25 Wana Draw 16:30 to 16:50 Japanese Underground Headquarters (just the outside appearance) at Shuri Castle 17:00 Hotel Day Two 9:00 Hotel 9:30 to 10:30 Former Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters (JPY600 per person) 11:00 to 12:00 Itokazu Abuchiragama Cave (JPY400 per person (Cave Guide, J PY1500 per group) 12:15 to 12:30 Tomori Stone Lion Dog 12:45 to 13:00 Memorial Monument of Lieutenant General Buckner 13:15 to 14:15 Taco Rice Lunch at a café (JPY1300 per person) 14:20 to 15:20 Himeyuri Monument and Museum （JPY450 per person） 15:30 to 16:20 Mabuni Hill & Peace Memorial Park 17:00 Hotel
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*Clean, spacious, comfortable taxi with A/C (up to 4 travelers) with a driver * Expressway toll fee (if applicable): 320 yen to 3,220 yen per day depending on which hotel you stay
Naha, Okinawa, Japan
Hotel, Airport Somewhere in Naha is perfect for the tour because the battle sites are mostly located in South Okinawa. If we meet in Central or North Okinawa, you have to pay the additional cost for 1 to 2 hours per day.
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16 hours
1
16 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 20% deposit!
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