Pflugerville Martial Arts Academy 2020 Okinawan Adventure

Okinawa 2020 March 13th Through 21st Budo Adventure

Shuri Castle Before the drastic changes of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), Okinawa was known as the Ryukyu Kingdom (Ryukyu Okoku). Following the unification of this island kingdom in 1429, the Ryukyu kings used Shuri Castle as their residence, making it a stage for politics, economics and diplomacy for the region. The castle continued to serve this purpose even after the island kingdom was conquered in 1609, becoming a vassal state to the powerful Satsuma clan in what is now Kagoshima Prefecture. After the Meiji Restoration, the Ryukyu Kingdom was fully absorbed into modern Japan, first becoming a \"domain\" and finally renamed Okinawa Prefecture (Okinawa-ken) in 1879. Although the castle remained intact even after the Meiji Restoration, World War II bombing completely destroyed the original buildings, gates and walls. After the war, local residents took pains to begin to restore this cultural site, gradually bringing it back to life. In 2000, the castle and six other sites in Okinawa were collectively registered with UNESCO as a World Heritage site.

Okinawa World If you’re curious about Okinawan culture and want a fun-filled day, then Okinawa World is a perfect option. This theme park teaches visitors about Okinawan life, through a craft village (Kingdom Village), a snake museum (Habu Park), and cultural performances. You won’t have to worry about waiting in long lines, as your entry ticket gives you access to all the areas of the park. A highlight is the magnificent limestone Gyokusendo Cave. Vibrant traditional artifacts and culture are still there. Make your own craft item in Traditional Crafts Village, where you will be welcomed by many old local houses with beautiful red roof tiles, explore Gyokusendo, a stunningly beautiful limestone cave grown on a coral reef, and enjoy heroic Eisa dance and Habu vs Mongoose Show. Okinawa World, where you can experience Ryukyu time now.

Churaumi Aquarium The aquarium introduces you to the mystery of Okinawa’s marine creatures Starting with the naturally lit Coral Sea tank, which exhibits a large selection of coral reef. Next is the enormous, dynamic Kuroshio Sea tank, where you can observe the world’s biggest fish as well as whale sharks and manta rays, which, Churaumi was first in the world to succeed in breeding! And as you go deeper into the aquarium, you will encounter the Deep Sea tank, in which the which the mysterious deep sea of Okinawa is reproduced, allowing you to experience Okinawa’s entire underwater world.

Kokusaidori Street Kokusaidori literally \"International Road\") is Naha's main street, stretching for roughly two kilometers through downtown Naha. The street takes its name from the former \"Ernie Pyle International Theater\", a movie theater that was built along the road after the war. Starting around the Naha Bus Terminal and Prefectural Hall, Kokusaidori is lined by restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, souvenir shops, boutiques and department stores. Many shops remain open until 10pm, and live Okinawa music is played at several restaurants. If you are looking for even more shopping opportunities, it is recommended to venture into the colorful Heiwadori, Mutsumidori and Ichiba Hondori shopping arcades that branch off from Kokusaidori around the intersection with Okieidori, halfway along the street. The shops in the arcade are smaller than those along Kokusaidori, and are often made up of just a small booth and a single shop owner. Further down the shopping arcades away from Kokusaidori, the atmosphere becomes less touristy as souvenir shops give way to establishments catering more to locals. In addition to a variety of bars, eateries and clothing and hardware shops, there are a selection of fruit shops purveying tropical fruits such as pineapples, mangos and passionfruit. Throughout the shopping arcades, establishments vary in their hours, with some bars and eateries open well into the night. Also in this area is the Daiichi Makishi; a rustic public market with vendors selling an array of meat and seafood as well as inexpensive dry goods such as household items. On the second floor lies a food hall with various food vendors around the perimeter selling foods like sashimi and traditional Okinawan cuisine.

The Dojo Bar The DOJO bar is unique in Okinawa, perhaps in the world. Okinawa is the birthplace of karate and kobudo and the DOJO bar is a tribute to that heritage and a gateway for visitors to the island, its people and its rich fighting arts culture. We offer a truly special place, open and easily accessible to all, across cultures, countries and styles. So come check the DOJO bar out and tell us what you think! We have chilled Orion and Bass Pale Ale draft beer, wines, a selection of delicious cocktails, Awamori and Habushu (snake venom sake!) and a tasty food menu. Open from 7pm (19:00) every day. Find the DOJO bar on Sogenji-dori in Naha, Okinawa. Here’s a map. We are very close to Shureido. And follow us on Facebook for special offers, pictures from our events and news from Okinawa

Budokan Built in 1996 for decades this has been the “go to” place for Martial Artists visiting Okinawa. The facility can hold up to 3500 visitors and includes multiple floors with access to training with true Okinawan masters daily..

Kaikan Built in 2017 the Kaikan is the newest dedicated Martial Arts training facility in Naha. The facilities are fully equipped and have, a \"dojo\" that is used for the practice of Karate and holding of competitions, This modern facility contains a training room, an instruction room and showers.

Tetsuhiro Hokama Hokama Tetsuhiro 10th Dan Hanshi, President of the Okinawa Goju-Ryu Kenshi-kai Karate-do Kobudo Association and founder of the first Karate Kobudo museum in the World. Although not as well known in the United States compared to other Okinawan Goju- Ryu teachers, Hanshi Hokama is one of the most knowledgeable Goju-Ryu Karate masters. He has a deep understanding of the \"Old Ways\" of Karate.Born in Taiwan in 1944 of Okinawan parents. Hanshi Hokama began Karate as a child in 1952. His grandfather Seiken Tokuyama taught him the fundamentals of Shuri-te Karate. In 1961 his formal training began at the Naha Commercial High School Karate club. That same year he began training with the legendary Seiko Higa (1898 - 1966) a student of Kanryo Higaonna (1853 - 1915) and Chojun Miyagi (1888 - 1953). It was at Higa's Dojo where he met Shinpo Matayoshi (1922 - 1997 Kobudo teacher) and began learning Kobudo, and Kingai-Ryu (a martial art that his father, Shinko Matayoshi 1888 - 1947 learned in Manchuria). Upon the death of Seiko Higa in 1966 Hanshi Hokama continues his training with one of Higa's top student Seiko Fukuchi (1919 - 1975) who was Seiko Higa's assistant instructor. It was both of these great masters that taught Hokama the Kakushite (hidden hand) referring to the secret techniques in Kata. A young Tetsuhiro Hokama was not convinced with the bunkai (Kata breakdown) he was first being taught, he kept asking questions and even doubting the Kata applications. They saw the young Hokama eagerness to learn that they began to teach him the \"Old Ways\". Higa eventually started tutoring the young Hokama Sensei in The Bubishi and gave a copy of the Bubishi, an ancient martial arts text and told him to study it deeply. Hokama Sensei also received instructions in the ancient text from Fukuchi Seiko Sensei, and Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei from who he learned the herbal teaching of the Bubishi.

Masahiro Nakamoto Nakamoto-sensei is the only living direct student of the late Taira Shinken. He was also a direct student in Karate of the Shuri-te warrior Chibana Choshin, as well as Nakama Chozo (Karate) and Oshiro Chojo (Kobudo). Nakamoto Masahiro is the first Hanshi 10th dan black belt and the president of the Okinawa Prefecture Kobudo Federation. The chairman of the Okinawa Traditional Kobudo Preservation Society – Bunbukan, he teaches in Shuri, Naha City, Okinawa while giving many seminars worldwide.

What Else? We will stay in a Hilton chain hotel Breakfast is Included daily All transportation to functions Guided North Island Tour Guided Martial Arts History Tour (Hokama Sensei) Naminoue Beach Shureido Hokama Museum Nakamoto Museum Dojo Bar Shopping and Gathering AND MORE! 1585Only $ per person (double occupancy) Excluding Air Fare - Airport Transportation - Lunch and Dinner