5 Days 4 Nights Celebrate Japanese New Year in OKINAWA What Is New Year In Japan New Year (shogatsu or oshogatsu) is the most important holiday in Japan. Most businesses shut down from January 1 to January 3, and families typically gather to spend the days together. Years are traditionally viewed as completely separate, with each New Year providing a fresh start. Consequently, all duties are supposed to be completed by the end of the year, while bonenkai parties ("year forgetting parties") are held with the purpose of leaving the old year's worries and troubles behind. Homes and entrance gates are decorated with ornaments made of pine, bamboo and plum trees, and clothes and houses are cleaned. Let’s travel to Okinawa and experience how the Japanese celebrate their new year there! Tour Code：JBC-SMI1228/OKA Departure 28DEC 2014 SIN/OKA MI8384 01JAN 2015 OKA/SIN MI8383 1000/1615 1715/2145 Day 1              NORTHERN OKINAWA TOUR (B/L/D) Ryukyu Mura (Ryukyu Village) is a small theme park about traditional Okinawan culture in the form of a recreated village from the times of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Cape Manza-mo has a 20-meter high limestone cliff which looks like an elephant's nose and a wide expanse of lawn on top. DIY Experience – Baking Purple Sweet Potato Tart (Benimo Tart) The Churaumi Aquarium is widely considered Japan's best aquarium. It is the main attraction of the Ocean Expo Park on the former grounds of the 1975 International Ocean Expo in northern Okinawa Honto. The Mihama American Village is a large entertainment complex located in central Okinawa Honto. Many American military bases are located in the area, and the entertainment complex' theme of Americana provides a nostalgic pleasure for residents of the bases as well as an interesting diversion for the locals. Hotel: Hotel Royal Orion or similar class Day  (MOB/D) Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport before boarding your flight to Japan. SIN/OKA MI8384 1000/1615 Hotel: Hotel Royal Orion or similar class Day 2  SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT  NAHA 3 SOUTHERN OKINAWA TOUR (B/L/D) Okinawa World is a touristy theme park about Okinawan culture. Gyokusendo Cave is the longest of the many caves in the south of Okinawa Island and the second longest cave in the entire country Ryukyu Glass Craft is the largest glass factory in Okinawa, established since 1985. Visit the Chuko Awamori Rice Wine Factory. Entering to Makishi Public Market from Kokusai street - The 1st floor is the market and the 2nd floor is the restaurant. Colorful tropical fishes, pork sold in blocks, simple island vegetables, can learn the Okinawa food culture in sight. Shintoshin Shopping Complex has large stores selling high end designer fashion goods and brand name items. Hotel: Hotel Royal Orion or similar class Day 4 CENTRAL OKINAWA TOUR (B/L/D)  Shuri Castle (Shurijo) served as the administrative center and residence of the Ryukyu kings for several centuries until Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture in 1879. The castle is included as one of the UNESCO World Heritage designated Castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom sites.   DIY Experience – Bingata Corral Dyeing Naminoue Shrine, is a Shinto shrine in Naha, Okinawa, Japan, and the primary shrine in the prefecture. It sits atop a high bluff, overlooking Naminoue Beach and the ocean. Originally a sacred space of the native Ryukyuan religion, due to its location and natural beauty, it was dedicated to nirai kanai, the mythical source of all life, and to the sea. Itoman Illumination is one of Okinawa’s most popular winter events, drawing some 50,000 visitors each year. It is beautifully decorated with 1.3 million lights, representing the approximate population of Okinawa, and carrying the people’s hopes for peace. How is New Year celebrated in Japan? Japanese New Year celebration is known as shogatsu. Let’s have a New Year count down party in Okinawa with us! At the same times, you are also able to enjoy the fireworks at the hotel. Hotel: Southern Beach Resort or similar class    Day 5    MOCHI TSUKI - NAHA  SINGAPORE (B/L) OKA/SIN MI8383 1715/2145 Experience the Mochi Tsuki activity; it is a New Year activity in Japan (Please confirm the availability) Ashibina Outlet Mall serves about 70 popular brand and high-class products at reasonable price only because of outlet. You can enjoy shopping like you just don’t care.