- Far removed from mainland society,

本州から50キロ以上離れた場所にあります。

over 50 kilometers away, to be exact,

人が住んでいるのはそのうちわずか4島で、合計で約2万人が暮らしています。

the Oki Islands are a group of 180 islands

離島での暮らしは不便と思う人もいますが、

that lie in the sea of Japan,

実際には何の不自由もなく暮らせます。

on the coast of Shimane Prefecture.

今回はこの島を訪れて、島の人々からお話を伺ってみようと思います。

Only four of the islands are inhabited,

こんにちは！ミカエラです。島根県沖の隠岐諸島にある、海士町というところに着きました。

with a total population of around 20,000 people

海士町というところに着きました。7時間半くらいかかったかな？

divided amongst them.

今日から数日間、島の中でも、

Some people might think that

特にここ海士町を楽しみたいです。でもまずは、長い1日だったので、

living so far away from the mainland is inconvenient,

まずはホテルにチェックインして、何か食べたいと思います。

but for the residents of this island,

中村旅館にチェックインしました。 海士町で最も有名な朝食付き民宿のひとつです。

they have everything they need.

地元の人との交流を楽しみたい人にぴったりです。

Today, I'm visiting the island to meet with some locals,

料理上手な友達の家でゆっくりくつろぐ感じ。

to learn about the special bonds they have with the islands.

ここは自立している島です。島を囲む美しい海で育まれた

Hey guys, how's it going?

豊かな海産物があり、 隠岐牛と呼ばれるブランド牛の飼育も行っています。 

It's Mikayla, and I have just arrived in Ama-cho

離島では本州から送られてくる食料に頼ることが多いですが、

on the Oki Islands off of Shimane Prefecture,

この島では美しい海から獲れた海の幸を楽しむことができます。

and to get here, it took about,

見て！この牡蠣とっても大きい！私の手より大きいです。

maybe seven and a half hours.

とてもお腹がすいたので中村旅館で夕飯を頂きます。素晴らしいエネルギーとおもてなしの心で知られる

So over the next few days,

中村旅館の皆さんが着ているものにも注目です。   中村さんたちのゲストに対する歓迎ぶりが

we're gonna be exploring the Oki Islands,

抜群なのは口コミで知っていましたが、私の想像以上でした。

here off of Shimane Prefecture, especially here, Ama-cho,

私の出身のカナダの文化に対する熱意に深く感動しました。 宿泊客をその国の国家で歓迎するという伝統は、

and I'm really excited.

ミクロネシア連邦の大使がこの島を訪れ中村旅館 に泊まったのがきっかけだそうです。

But first, it's been a long day,

ミクロネシアは、海士町で受けた温かなもてなしの後、  

I need to check into my hotel and eat something.

海士町を夏季オリンピックの公式ホストタウンとして決定し、

So, I'm gonna go do that.

両国は強い関係構築に努めています。

I checked into Nakamura Inn,

ありがとうございます。

one of the most famous bed and breakfast spots in Ama-cho.

おはよう！今フェリーに乗りました。

This type of stay is definitely geared towards

あちらに見える西ノ島に向かっています。絶景が楽しみです。

people who want to connect with locals.

天気も最高、気持ちのいい朝です。本当に綺麗で暖かい。

It feels like you're having a fun sleepover

滅多に使わないドローンの出番ですね。

at a friend's house.

島に着いたらすぐにこの美しい朝陽を撮って、

Oh, and your friend is an amazing chef.

島を別の角度から見るのが楽しみです。  

These are self-sustaining islands.

水が透明でとても綺麗です。

There's an abundance of seafood

今日は観光づくしの1日を楽しみながら、

in the pristine waters surrounding the island.

地元の人の話も聞きたいと思います。

And they can grow their own beef too, called Oki beef.

どんな疲れもこの絶景で癒されます。

Normally, in remote island communities, they rely on

馬が多すぎて駐車場に入れない。馬と目が合ったわ。

infrequent shipments from the mainland for groceries.

島を案内してくれた小林さんが、

But here, the servings are very generous

いかあ屋という素敵なコミュニティ図書館に連れて行ってくれました。

and utilize the vast array of seafood available.

名前の由来は「行こうよ」の方言から。

Look at this oyster, because this oyster is huge.

広々とした図書館には自然光が降り注ぎ、幅広い年齢層をカバーした書籍が豊富です。

It's bigger than my hand.

リモートワークや勉強も快適にできるスペースもあります。

Well, I'm so hungry

ミクロネシアと隠岐諸島の交流を促進するための、ミクロネシアの写真展も開催中です。

and we are having dinner at Nakamura Yukon

この島はユネスコ世界ジオパークに認定されています。

which is known for their excellent energy and hospitality.

この自然の美しさなら納得ですね。 一般的な観光ルートから外れているにも関わらず、

And you have to see what they're wearing.

地元の人々の手入れが細やかに行き届いています。

I had read reviews that stated that the Nakamura's

ここには多くの若者たちも住んでいて、

were extremely welcoming towards their guests,

彼らが島の伝統に新たな息吹を吹き込んでいます。

but I really didn't expect what happened next.

この人たちは、視聴者が家から観光気分を味わえるよう、ライブストリーミング配信をしているそうです。  

(band playing rendition of "O Canada")

この「大人の島留学生」 プロジェクトには現在20歳から24歳の若者約20人が参加しており 

- Two, three, four...

短期の雇用契約で島を訪れています。

- ♪ O Canada! ♪

大都市でのオフィスワークと比べて、地域に直接役立つことが実感できるやりがいのある仕事です。

♪ Our home and native land! ♪

海士町の港に戻ってきました。

The enthusiasm for my culture was profoundly touching.

お昼の時間です。お腹ペコペコ！ 私は食べたことのないものは食べてみたいタイプです。

A tradition that began a few years back,

この島は海の幸が豊富なので、

when Micronesian ambassadors visited the island

寒シマメ漬け丼という、イカのマリネと生卵、

and stayed here at the Nakamura Inn.

生姜、玉ねぎで作った丼を食べてみました。

After experiencing the same warm hospitality in Ama-cho,

今まで食べたことのない味で、 ぜひまた食べたいと思うほどおいしかったです

it was later decided that Ama-cho would become

まるでジュラシックパークのようです。この崖の迫力。

Micronesia's official host town in Japan

陽が沈む中、私たちはもうひとつの絶景スポット

during the Summer Games.

明屋海岸を訪れました。真っ青な水に浮かぶ赤い岩。

And the two would work on building

ここは、カップルの恋愛パワースポットとしても知られています。 雰囲気ありますね。

strong Japan, Micronesia relations together.

海士町の町長にお会いした後、中村旅館に戻ると、 町で有名なバーベキューが始まっていました。

(laughter) (cheering)

海からの新鮮なイカや貝。中村さんたちは大量に焼いていました。

Thank you!

それは私たちのためだけでなく、島の学生たちのためでもあったのです。

(acoustic guitar music)

地域の強い横のつながりが、

Good morning, everyone.

この島に欠かせない大切なもののひとつだと実感しました。 

So, I just got on the ferry.

朝早く中村旅館をチェックアウトし、別れを告げ、

I'm heading over to Nishino Shimo,

本州へのフェリーに乗るために港に向かいました。

which is an island just beyond,

港では集まったたくさんの人々が色とりどりのリボンで何か作っていましたが、この時は何のためか分かりませんでした。

and we're gonna look at some incredible scenery today.

別れの挨拶をして集合写真を撮ったら、

We're so lucky with the weather.

フェリーに乗り込みます。そこにあったのがあのリボンです。

It's beautiful this morning.

これは親しい友人や家族を送り出す時の伝統で、 少しでも長く手を繋いでいられるように、

Absolutely beautiful, warm.

という想いが込められています。

And I brought my drone,

とても素敵だし、私のために作ってくれて感激しました。

and I don't get a lot of opportunities to fly the drone,

ちなみにこの紙リボンが海に落ちないか心配になりますが、

so I'm really looking forward to getting out there

大丈夫。きちんと回収してくれます。

as soon as possible, catching this brilliant morning light

あちらでも同じことしてますね。

and seeing the islands from a different angle.

ミカエラ、泣かないで。

Boy!

とても楽しい時間を過ごし、今まで知らなかった場所のことをたくさん学びました。

It's so translucent.

また帰ってきたい。

Beautiful, clean water.

暖かい夏ならこの美しい海に飛び込めるし

(speaking Japanese)

今回できた友達に再会するのも楽しみです。

Today is a full day of sightseeing around the islands,

「絶対戻ってこよう」－そう思える旅でした。

but we're hoping we can get some interviews

今度は夏に来てぜひ海に入ってみたいです。今回のトラベルインスポ、楽しかったですか？

with a few of the locals about the kind of lifestyle

もし隠岐諸島を訪れたら教えて下さいね。ではまた！

they have here, while we're at it.

日本の旅動画をもっと見たい方は、ぜひチャンネル登録をよろしくお願いします！バイバーイ！

It's gonna be a busy day, but these views make up for it.

We can't get into the parking lot,

'cause there's too many horses.

Oh no.

(laughter)

He's looking right at us!

(speaking Japanese)

(laughter)

- Kobayashi-san showed us around Nishinoshima,

including the gorgeous and fairly new

seaside community library, Ikaaya,

which is island slang for "Ikouyo", or "Let's go".

This spacious library is flooded with natural light

and filled with resources for children and adults alike.

Complete with a comfortable coworking space

for remote work and study as well.

The library is also currently holding

a Micronesian photo exhibition.

Further celebrating the relationship between Micronesia

and the Oki Islands.

With so much natural beauty,

it's no surprise that the islands have been registered

as a UNESCO World Heritage Geopark.

Even though these islands are far from

the typical tourist routes,

everything feels extremely well-maintained

and cared for by the locals.

There's also a large community

of younger residents on the island,

which not only brings fresh energy and ideas

to the island community,

but also helps breathe new life into old traditions.

(speaking Japanese)

They're live-streaming their trip,

so that viewers at home can travel

without leaving the house.

(chuckles)

- The island work experience program

currently has around 20 young workers

between the ages of 20 and 24,

visiting the island on short-term work contracts.

Compared to office work in larger cities,

participants can experience working rewarding jobs

that make a direct impact on their community.

- Thank you!

Bye.

Okay guys, we have just arrived back Ama-cho's court,

and we're going to go ahead and take lunch,

which is great timing,

because I am very, very hungry.

I always try to be a little bit more adventurous

when eating somewhere new.

And knowing that the seafood on this island

is fresh and plentiful,

I decided to try the Kanshimame Zukeron.

A unique combination of marinated squid, raw egg

and a mixture of ginger and onion over rice.

The squid is fresh and sweet

and the flavor combination is...

Well, unlike anything I've ever tried before.

For what it's worth though, I would eat this again.

(calm music)

It truly feels like something out of Jurassic Park,

with all these cliffs.

There's so much going on here.

As the sun was setting,

we hit one more scenic spot on the island.

The Akiya Kaigan Coast features gorgeous, bright blue waters

and jagged, red rock cliffs.

But that's not all,

this area is known as a romantic power spot for couples.

See if you can guess why.

(speaking Japanese)

After meeting with the Mayor of Ama-cho,

I headed back to Nakamura Inn,

to find that one of Amo's barbecues

was happening right before my eyes.

With fresh fish, squid and shellfish from the ocean,

the Nakamuras were cooking up a storm

and it wasn't just for me.

Students living on the island were also invited to drop by

and help themselves to some free food, as well.

I couldn't help but think that

this sense of community is one of

the most precious things here on the island.

(speaking Japanese)

In the early morning, I checked out from the Nakamura Inn

and said my goodbyes, and then headed down to the port

to catch the early ferry back to mainland Japan,

before returning to Fukuoka.

Locals were gathered, preparing colorful ribbons,

but, at this point, I wasn't really sure what they were for.

I said goodbye to the locals who have been so good to me

during our three-day trip,

and then dashed onto the ferry where I found,

you guessed it, the ribbons.

It's an island tradition to send off

close friends and family with colorful ribbons like these,

allowing you to hold hands with your friends and family

for just a little while longer.

This tradition is beautiful

and I was really touched that they made some ribbons for me.

(speaking Japanese)

- So, for those of you wondering

if the paper falls in the water,

they make sure it doesn't.

And they're cleaning it up on the other side, too.

- [Cameraman] Please do not cry!

(mimics sobbing)

(speaking Japanese)

- I had so much fun during my stay here

and I learned so much about a place

that I didn't even really know existed before.

I can't wait to come back.

I want to come back in the Summer, when it's nice and warm

and I want to jump in this gorgeous, blue water.

And now that I've made a bunch of friends,

I can't wait to see them again.

Bye bye!

This has been one of those trips where I leave

thinking that I'm definitely coming back someday.

Preferably in the Summer, because I want to swim

in that beautiful, blue water.

Thanks so much for watching,

and I hope that this has inspired you to visit

the Oki Islands off of Shimane Prefecture someday as well.

It's definitely worth the long trip.

Check out my other videos to see more videos

from around Japan.

Bye.