Shangri La is Hawaii’s largest mansion, housing a collection of exquisite Islamic art pieces.
Located in the upscale residential area at the foot of Diamond Head, it boasts a location with a panoramic view of the spectacular ocean!
The exotic space makes you feel as if you have wandered into another country, and the fusion of Hawaii’s majestic nature and Islam is like a work of art in itself.
We recommend researching the history and highlights of Shangri La beforehand so you can enjoy it even more!
It is different from ordinary tourist spots, so if you are interested, please visit.
History of Shangri La
Shangri La was a private residence where a woman named Doris Duke lived.
Although she lived on the US mainland, she was captivated by the beauty of Islamic art and the nature of Hawaii she encountered on her honeymoon, deciding to move to Hawaii.
That was the catalyst for building her home at the foot of Diamond Head and collecting strictly selected Islamic art pieces from around the world.
The ideal mansion created over many years is Shangri La, which is now a museum.
The fact that an individual could build a museum seems very American, showing just how incredibly wealthy she was.
Artworks at Shangri La
Shangri La houses art pieces strongly influenced by Islamic culture from countries all over the world, such as Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Iran, Syria, and India.
The beauty of the mosaic tiles and tapestries is the main highlight, and they can be seen all over the residence, including the dining room and bedrooms!
The displayed artworks are luxurious, but they are by no means overly flashy.
A point we would like you to see is how each piece is displayed to blend perfectly with the building and the atmosphere of Hawaii.
Shangri La Tours
Visits to Shangri La require a reservation and can only be accessed by joining a tour departing from and arriving at the Honolulu Museum of Art.
Tours can be booked through the Honolulu Museum of Art website, but there are several points to note, so please check them if you wish to visit.
Precautions When Booking a Tour
The capacity for each tour is about 20 people.
It is a very popular tour, so reservations often fill up well in advance.
Therefore, we recommend that those wishing to visit do not wait until the last minute, but book as soon as their schedule is decided!
Also, please note that tour participants must be 8 years of age or older.
By the way, the fee for the Shangri La tour includes admission to the Honolulu Museum of Art, so we recommend taking plenty of time to enjoy the museum as well.
How to Reserve a Japanese Tour
Tours are generally conducted in English, but Japanese language tours are also available depending on the timing.
However, there is no reservation form specifically for the Japanese tour, so you must inquire directly.
You will need to contact the Honolulu Museum of Art via the phone number or email listed on their website. Inquiries must be in English.
If you wish to inquire via email, you can refer to the information format below.
Simply fill in your information in the highlighted sections and send it.
| 【Subject】 Requesting ticket booking 【Body】 Respected Sir/Madam, I would like to make a reservation for Japanese guided tour of Shangri La. My information is, Name: Your Name Tour date: Desired Reservation Date Number of persons: Number of People A billing address: Your Home Address The name of hotel: Name of Hotel Staying I appreciate your help. Sincerely, Your Name |
After sending this, a staff member will reply regarding the availability of the reservation at a later date.
If there is availability, the reservation will be completed. Be sure to bring the confirmation email on the day of the tour so you can present it.
How to Join the Shangri La Tour
After booking, the flow on the day of the tour is as follows.
- Check in at the Honolulu Museum of Art reception at least 15 minutes before the shuttle bus departure.
- Receive instructions at the reception and wait in the courtyard until the shuttle bus departs.
- When it is time, follow the staff’s guidance and board the shuttle bus.
- Arrive at Shangri La and the tour begins.
Please note that the process is basically the same for both English and Japanese tours.
Booking may take a little effort, but the rest will go smoothly, so please rest assured.
Basic Information of Shangri La
| Name | Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design |
| Address | 4055 Papu Cir, Honolulu, HI 96816 |
| Map | |
| Hours | Thursday, Friday, Saturday Tours run 4 times a day: 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00. |
| Admission | $25 + $2 (Processing fee) *Includes admission to Honolulu Museum of Art *Children must be 8 years or older |
| Closed | Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, September |
| Duration | Approx. 2 hours (Tour time is 75 minutes) |
| Restroom | Available |
| Parking | Available (Use Honolulu Museum of Art parking) |
Recommended Transportation to Shangri La
The Bus – The Cheapest Public Transportation Covering All of Hawaii
Taxi & UBER – Optimal Charter Cars for Small Group Travel in Hawaii
Area Surrounding Shangri La
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