A special feature focusing on Okinawa karate was released on the Japan Sports Agency's WEB public relations magazine "Deportare".
Report on "Martial Arts Tourism" which can be experienced only in Japan
https://sports.go.jp/movie/post-14.html#an01
The video is in Japanese only, but text is also available so using a translation software may help you understand the contents.
The Japanese Government Tourism Board (JNTO) has released a promotional video targeting Europe. Inside, Okinawa as the birthplace of karate and the Okinawa Karate Kaikan are highlighted.
It is a very nicely produced movie, so please have a look. In addition, on the website, viewers can acquire information on the various sites introduced in the movie.
Here is a list of not too expensive and karate friendly accommodations in Naha City. The ones marked with a (★) have online English information available. For other ones, send an email in English. When contacting them, make sure to mention that you are visiting Okinawa for karate purposes as some may have discounts for karate enthusiasts.
Please understand that we can not be held responsible for any issue happening when contacting or staying at one of these facilities as well as regarding the style and services of each facility. This information is only provided as a start for someone looking for a place to stay.
If you wish to suggest an accommodation, feel free to contact us.
| Abest Cube Naha★ | https://www.abestcube-naha.com/plan.html |
| Andon Matsuo★ | http://www.okinawayado.com/ |
| Asahi Guest house★ | www.agari-tida.com/room.html |
| CamCam Okinawa★ | www.camcam-okinawa.com |
| Guest house Base Okinawa★ | http://okig-e.cloud-line.com/nawa.net/ |
| Guest House Sea pappa★ | http://www.sea-pappa.com/ |
| Guest House Umikaji★ | http://umi-kaji.com/ |
| Hikari no Ie Anex | http://www.hikarinoie.jp/ |
| Karate Mate | https://okinawakaratemate.wixsite.com/okinawakarate |
| Kariyushi Hotels★ | |
| Kina Mansion | http://www.kina.co.jp/weekly/ |
| Lohas Villa★ | http://lohas-cg.com/english.html |
| Minamikaze | http://minamikaze-cg.com/ |
| Minshuku Green House | http://greenh.jp/ |
| Minshuku Hakuseisho★ | www.hakuseisou.com/ |
| Okinawa guesthouse Grand Naha | http://grandnaha.jp/ |
| Okinawa Harborview Mansion★ | https://www.okinawa-weekly.com/english.php |
| Shell House Backpackers Hostel★ | http://shellhouse.net/ |
| Stella Resort Okinawa Guest House★ | http://stella-cg.com/english.html |
| Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha | https://www.tokyustay.co.jp/e/hotel/ON/ |
Other locations
| COZY STAY apartment, in Tomigusuku★ | https://cozy.okinawa |
| Karatel, in Yomitan★ | https://karatel.jp/ |
Okinawa is the cradle of karate. Therefore, there are many sites and monuments related to karate all around the island. We have listed most of them on this page.
Unfortunately at that time, our center doesn't have historical tour programs per say. At the moment, people who wish to tour karate sites have 4 options, listed below in no particular order. Be aware that we are not involved and can’t be held responsible for the contents offered by the respective entities.
- Challenge Okinawa's tours
- Okinawa Karate Concierge's tours
- Hokama Tetsuhiro sensei might be available for a tour. You can contact him at 098-945-6148 (tel/fax). Hokama sensei speaks English
- Ric Lucas (Please contact our center for details)
Last fiscal year, the Okinawa Prefecture Government implemented an Okinawa karate public relations project. One part of the project was the "Karate Jet" launch. Another part was the creation of a promotional video of Okinawa traditional karate utilizing 3DCG (3 dimensional computer graphics) motion capture Virtual Reality.
On April 6, a press conference was held at Okinawa Cellular Building in Naha following the completion of the project.
Explanations were given by Yamakawa Tetsuo, manager of Okinawa Prefectural Culture, Tourism and Sports Department Karate Promotion Division, Shinjō Kiyohide sensei of Uechi-ryū who cooperated in the project demonstrating the kata "Sanseiryu", Okinawa Cellular Telephone Corporation Kaida Hirofumi, as well as Horino Makoto and Tomita Nobuyasu, both producers at IMAGICA West Co., Ltd. Located in Osaka, this company is in the business of developing advanced video production.
The production was done at a special photography studio located in Kyōto prefecture, "CGCG Studio" in Okinawa City and at the Special dōjō of the Okinawa Karate Kaikan. There, the kata performed by Shinjō sensei was captured using high definition technique to give two VR movies; one is the actual kata of 1 minute 29 seconds while the 2nd movie aims at being used as a teaching material.
When experiencing the movie using a dedicated google device, one can see the performance from all angles at a never seen close distance, truly rendering the power and beauty of traditional karate. In addition, skills and technique can also be analyzed in details.
About this project, Mr. Yamakawa explained that he wanted people to be able to experience the true martial nature of Okinawa karate while also promoting the birthplace of karate that is Okinawa. In addition, emphasizing "the difference of quality between amusement and culture", he explained that although a possibility, online distribution would not render the awesomeness of karate if seen on a normal screen. Therefore rather than distribution on the Internet, this 3DCG movie will be presented in various prefecture-sponsored events through hands-on experience corner using the dedicated google device.
Public release in the prefecture will be held on Monday, April 23, during the 100 days before the First Okinawa karate international tournament. The movie will also be introduced during the international tournament to which more than 1,900 people have registered.
(From the top left) The press conference, making in the studio, images of the actual kata performance
