Vol.15
CULTURE
Feb 27, 2020
Do your best & take care!
SPRING GOODBYES

Ojika Ferry Terminal gets busy in March. This is the month of new beginnings in Japan. This is also the month of many goodbyes…



High-school graduates leave the island to begin their university studies or new jobs. Public office employees: teachers, fire-fighters and police officers get transferred for work.

Hundreds of islanders gather at the port to say goodbye to their teachers, coworkers, and friends. While the atmosphere is festive with various performances taking place, not everyone can hold back their tears.


The local female firefighting team puts up a trumpet performance for the firefighters who are leaving the island.

It’s a tradition to jump into the sea when seeing off your friends leaving the island.
Local youth jumping into the sea is another tradition of Ojika Island.


The goodbyes don’t end at the terminal!
Some even follow the ferry on their own boat!


Goodbyes on Ojika Island are turned into a festival.
You can really feel the sincerity of islanders.
And you realize that Ojika Island is a place like no other.