You can also see from this picture how small Yoron is compared to even my tiny island!
Yoron is definitely a get-away island. Imagine an island paradise, do you have an image in your head? You’ve got Yoron!
Unlike Erabu, which is mainly made up of coral and only has a few sand beaches, Yoron’s coastline is all white-sand beaches! As well, for unknown reasons, Yoron’s sister-city is Mykonos, Greece. So, they have a wall in the middle of Yoron that’s dedicated to Mykonos. This wall has the Parthenon, a statue of Zeus, and the coastline of Mykonos. As well, to pay more homage to its sister city, it has quite a few houses built to resemble Greece, with white walls and a beautiful blue roof.
The journey took about 2 hours from Erabu to Yoron by ferry. Now, I haven’t been on too many ferries, so I wasn’t expecting much, but this ferry was HUGE! But, it makes since because this ferry island-hops from Kagoshima to Okinawa. About a days journey! So, it can get quite packed.
Yoron is definitely a get-away island. Imagine an island paradise, do you have an image in your head? You’ve got Yoron!
Unlike Erabu, which is mainly made up of coral and only has a few sand beaches, Yoron’s coastline is all white-sand beaches! As well, for unknown reasons, Yoron’s sister-city is Mykonos, Greece. So, they have a wall in the middle of Yoron that’s dedicated to Mykonos. This wall has the Parthenon, a statue of Zeus, and the coastline of Mykonos. As well, to pay more homage to its sister city, it has quite a few houses built to resemble Greece, with white walls and a beautiful blue roof.
The journey took about 2 hours from Erabu to Yoron by ferry. Now, I haven’t been on too many ferries, so I wasn’t expecting much, but this ferry was HUGE! But, it makes since because this ferry island-hops from Kagoshima to Okinawa. About a days journey! So, it can get quite packed.
Actually, on the ferry I bumped into a woman here who is one of the best dancers (of island dance) on the island. We had met the other day when I went out with Jonathan and Shin. She was going to Yoron to visit family since it was Obon this past weekend.
I booked passage for the cheapest room, marked as Mattress II. What it actually is, is a huge area with like 50-60 little futons and nook areas. So, as soon as you get on the ferry you can just sleep for the duration of your journey, which is really really nice.
They also have a conbini (convenience store) and a restaurant on the ferry.
When I got to Yoron, I noticed that if felt hotter. Is that possible, only two hours away and the sun felt that much brighter. Actually, it just seemed like Yoron didn’t get quite as much cloud coverage as Erabu.
I was met at the port by Emily, the same Emily from Tokyo Orientation. She is super nice and I swear EVERYONE knows her. But, she’s been on Erabu for … going on her third year, so no wonder, huh? Anyways, she met me at the port and we began walking home (because she just has a little moped), almost as soon as we started a couple that Emily knows stopped and picked us up.
Emily’s apartment is ADORABLE, and I am QUITE jealous. You can see the sea from her apartment (she’s on the second floor) and it has a proper shower! And a really cute kitchen… ahh, I’m so envious!!
So, once I dropped my stuff at her house, we went up the road to this adorable Greek restaurant. The owners were SO nice and they have an amazing store filled with pretty amazing trinkets… next time I go I am going to buy some of those trinkets, can’t wait.
The Greek restaurant was delicious! And the view, breathtaking!
Then, that same woman I bumped into on the ferry, came into the restaurant. Apparently, her family owns the restaurant! I could NOT get over that!!!After the restaurant we went to her Board of Education where we picked up some Blue polos to wear for the Parade. Her BOE actually let me walk with them in the parade. ACTUALLY, we held the banner in front of them, so much fun!
At the end of the parade we got SOAKED… They had like four hoses going and soaked all the participants…. Soo, sadly I don’t have any pictures of the parade, but one of the onlookers was taking pictures and Emily said she’s going to try and get the photos from him for me.
After the parade, the BOE invited us to eat with them. We had a picnic on the beach and was so much fun! They actually have a specific way of drinking on Yoron, it’s called Kenpo. You pour shochu (liquor made from sugar cane) into a bowl and drink from it. Then the person who had the first drinks, pours for everyone, and you all drink out of the same bowl. So we did that a few times.
During the picnic the BOE, also was talking about how it’s Emily’s last year on Yoron and how sad they are for her to leave. BUT, that they would really enjoy if I would come next year and take her place. Now, I don’t know if they were serious, but if they were… I think I would take it in a heartbeat. What do you all think?
All in all, the weekend (well more like day, because I left Sunday morning) was RIDICULOUSLY fun! Em and I found out that we had a LOT in common. It will be really nice being so close and I look forward to going down to Yoron more!!
And, if anyone wants to visit me, I’m definitely going to make a trip to Yoron a MUST!
Love you all!!
