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Historic Caves.
Three caves, three stories — Ryukyu royalty, wartime survival, and the rituals of village life. All before lunch.
A half-day journey through Okinawa's underground, connecting three very different caves and the extraordinary human stories inside them. The morning moves from the glow of ancient stalactites to the quiet weight of wartime memory, to the playful traditions of old village life — then finishes at a local market in Onnason, where lunch is yours to choose.
The day.
- 08:45
Meet & move
Welcome at the meeting point. A short intro to Okinawa's limestone landscape, then we're off.
- 9:25
The cave that saved lives twice
A lit limestone cave in, known locally as Nuchishinuji Gama — the cave where life was preserved. A Ryukyu-era prince once hid here and survived civil war. In 1945, 300 villagers sheltered inside for three months during the Battle of Okinawa, and when the war was over, 302 came out.
- 10:30
The cave where 1,000 souls were saved
A natural, unlit cave in Yomitan where over a thousand terrified villagers hid as U.S. forces landed on 1 April 1945. Two elderly men — both returned from working in Hawaii — stepped forward, spoke to the soldiers, and led everyone out alive.
- 12:00
The cave of dances
A small coastal cave in Onnason used for centuries by villagers rehearsing kumiodori dance before the annual Mura Ashibai festival. Tradition held that the street parade began from this very spot. Quiet, intimate, and unlike anything we've visited that morning.
- 13:00
Wrap-up
Lunchtime — Onnason market
The first cave is the right place to start. It's lit, accessible, and eases you in gently — a proper limestone cave with a 200-metre walkway, glowing stalactites formed over tens of thousands of years, and a history that stretches from Ryukyu royalty to wartime survival. The red and white stalactites in the central chamber are a genuine centrepiece. By the time you leave, the group is warmed up and the morning has a shape to it.
The second cave is something else entirely. No lighting, no boardwalk, no renovations. We bring our own torches, duck inside, and let your eyes adjust. It feels like stepping back in time — raw limestone, low ceilings, the kind of quiet that makes you lower your voice. What happened here in April 1945 is one of the more remarkable stories of the entire Battle of Okinawa, and standing in the dark inside it, you feel the weight of that differently than you would reading it in a museum.
The third is smaller and more personal — a coastal cave used not for refuge, but for rehearsal. Villagers would gather here before the annual festival to practice their dance performances, then set off from this very spot in parade. After the intensity of the second cave, it's a gentle way to surface.
Lunch at the Onnason market rounds the morning off. Real food, local farmers, honest prices. Pick up a bowl of soba, a bag of passion fruit jam, or just a coffee and somewhere to sit. There's no rush.
The practical bits.
- Bilingual local guide (English & Japanese)
- Entry fees for the caves
- Transport between sites throughout the morning
- Lunch and drinks at the Onnason market
- Personal souvenirs and shopping
- Transport to/from your accommodation (available for some locations for private tours)
- Personal travel insurance
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes (essential — cave floors can be uneven or damp)
- Sunscreen and a hat for between stops
- Cash for lunch and souvenirs at the market
- Drinks for along the way
- Difficulty: Moderate. No trekking, swimming, or climbing involved. We will venture into the back of one cave where we will wear helmets and use flash lights.
- This tour runs in all weather — caves are sheltered regardless of conditions outside.
- Suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Contact us if you have mobility concerns.
- Group sign up discount available.
Full payment due at booking to secure your dates and reservations.
Full refund if you cancel 48 hours prior
We build small, hand-walked trips and we'd love to take you out.
— The Evertrail crew
Price per person.
- 1 person
- ¥15,000
- 2 people
- ¥13,000
- 3 people
- ¥11,000
- 4 people
- ¥10,000
- 5 people
- ¥9,000
- 6 people
- ¥8,000
Have a question about this tour?
Send a note — dates, group size, dietary needs, anything. We usually reply the same day.
What guests said.
Read all reviews
I had an amazing experience with Evertrail Tours, and Aya made it unforgettable. She showed me around Kokusai Dori Market and gave me a real local experience that I wouldn’t have found on my own. We stopped at a pickling stand where I met the owner’s kids who were working at the time. I actually connected with the son because of my tattoos 😂 They started telling me about their dad, who wasn’t there that day, and said his nickname was “Elvis.” I was like, why Elvis?! Then they showed me a picture and I couldn’t stop laughing the hair really looked just like Elvis 😂 They were super welcoming and generous, letting me try a bunch of their pickles, and every single one was honestly amazing. It felt like such a genuine, local experience. After that, we picked out fresh fish from the market and had it cooked upstairs butter garlic style, which is an Okinawan signature dish. It was rich, flavorful, and seriously one of the best meals I had on my trip. Then we went to an izakaya for yakitori, and I can confidently say I had the best chicken skin of my life perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy and flavorful on the inside. That first bite really hit, you could probably tell from my reaction lol. One funny moment I won’t forget Aya had a skewer with quail eggs in one hand and another with meat in the other. She’d take a bite of the quail egg, then immediately chase it with the meat because she wasn’t really a fan of the eggs but still ate them anyway 😂 I don’t know why but that moment stuck with me, it was just real and funny. We kept it going and hit another izakaya where I tried something I never thought I would raw goat sashimi. Aya even gave me an out if I didn’t want to try it, but I figured I’m here, why not… and honestly, it was amazing. I finished the whole dish 😂 By the end of it, I completely forgot I was even on a tour it just felt like exploring with a friend. Aya is an incredible person, super knowledgeable, and made the whole experience feel natural and fun. Didn’t take many pictures because I was too busy enjoying the moment and honestly, that says everything about how good this experience was. This was easily one of the highlights of my Okinawa trip. Highly recommend
I’m really grateful I booked this. The guide Aya was kind, patient, and genuinely cared that everyone had a great experience. It didn’t feel like we were being rushed through someone’s checklist, it felt like a day that was thoughtfully created for people to enjoy.
I did the 3day 2 night tour. It was well worth it and Aya was such an amazing tour guide and person. Super chill and friendly. Definitely recommend to anyone who wants to really explore some good parts of Okinawa.
