2 hour private experience
Location: Kunigami, Okinawa
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
A minimum of 2 guests is required to book. Solo participants are welcome but will be charged the 2-person rate
Meet the Master
After training under one of Okinawa's master sabani boat craftsmen, Teppei has committed himself to carrying on the legacy of Okinawa sabani boats, crafting and assembling each intricate piece with his own hands. Take to the seas and join him in experiencing a living heritage of Okinawan sailing culture.
What you’ll do
Visit a sabani boat studio, where every piece of this wooden vessel is completed by hand. Learn about the history of Okinawa sabani and the techniques required to build each boat. Then, launch from the shores and head to the sea via sabani boat on a guided cruise.
Availability
Everyday
Session 1 (10:00 - 12:00)
Session 2 (13:00 - 15:00)
Session 3 (16:00 - 18:00)
Who can attend
Children must be 3+ years old.
What to wear/bring
Please bring a change of clothing and towels or wear clothing that you don’t mind getting wet.
We also recommend wearing water shoes.
What else you should know
This experience may be cancelled on short notice due to bad weather.
In such a case, you will be informed as soon as possible and refunded fully.
Access
1.5 hours from Naha Airport by car.
Set Sail
Stretching up to 10 meters in length, sabani boats glide near-wakeless through water, coasting over shallow coral reefs or cutting through coarse open sea. Built to carry a crew consisting of a handful of hardy fishermen, these precisely crafted vessels are an icon of Okinawan culture, once utilized as an essential tool for fishing and transportation but most frequently used now as a unique means of leisure. To construct these massive ships, craftsmen must carefully assemble each wooden plank and bind them securely together, not with metal nails or plastic pieces, but with hand-carved bamboo nails and butterfly joints, that form to create a seamless hull capable of agile cruising. Each boat is a work of time, effort, and intense dedication. While the number of sabani craftspeople has decreased over time, devoted artisans still remain, preserving this aerodynamic heritage for future people of the sea. Witness a sabani craftsman carve this legacy, plank by plank, then head to the sea to experience the sun, salt, and seas of Okinawa by sabani.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 3 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
