Despite requests not to visit, the Tokashiki beaches see a constant stream of tourists

Despite requests not to visit, the Tokashiki beaches see a constant stream of tourists

Tourists enjoying a day at the beach in the middle of a pandemic – Aharen Beach in Tokashiki Village


August 23, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Hideaki Yoneda

 

Tokashiki – Paying no heed to the coronavirus pandemic, large numbers of tourists have come to Tokashiki Island, filling the beaches for some fun in the sand, sun, and ocean water.

Despite a typhoon cancelling ferries connecting Tokashiki and Naha and moving up the timeframe for some ships departing the island, since August 9 a ferry with a capacity of 450 passengers and a high-speed ferry that can carry 200 have continued to bring tourists to the island at over half-full capacity.

In the village of Tokashiki however, since receiving the emergency declaration from Okinawa prefecture they have been asking both village residents and tourists in the village to not venture outside for anything unnecessary or urgent, have issued a travel advisory, have asked people to refrain from coming and going to the village, and have asked that people take thorough coronavirus prevention measures.

One man, 40, who came to Tokashiki from Tokyo to enjoy swimming in the ocean with his family said, “We came after being pestered by our children. We were down after not being able to see the Olympics due to the coronavirus, and needed to do something to relieve some of the stress.”

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

 

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