Life on Naru Island Surprised Me! How Island Residents Live by “Connecting with People”
:quality(76))
Nice to meet you. I’m Makiko.
I fell in love at first sight with Naru Island on a trip, kept coming back so often that even the islanders were amazed, and eventually even moved my resident registration here.
Now I’m in my fifth year living on Naru Island.
The reason I’ve been so drawn to this town isn’t the grand nature or the delicious fish. (Though I love both, of course!)
The biggest reason I became a repeat visitor to Naru Island and chose it as my home is the people who live here, and the way they connect with one another.
I was lucky enough to be given the chance to share this story, and I’d like to introduce what life on Naru Island is like—something islanders take for granted, but visitors may find refreshing.
A place you visit and call home, a place you live and feel like family, a place where sharing a meal means you’re already family
:quality(76))
Before I lived on Naru Island, I visited this town more than 10 times as a traveler.
I’ve always loved traveling, but until then, I was more excited by visiting many different places than returning to the same one again and again.
Naru Island was the first place I kept going back to so often.
Why was this place so special?
Looking back, maybe it’s because I mistook this town for my hometown.
Its untouched natural beauty never changes, yet always shows a different face depending on the moment.
Warm people greet you with smiles and a heartfelt “welcome back.”
Before I knew it, that comfort had made me feel like I had “come home.”
Since I started living on the island, that feeling has only grown stronger.
The islanders check whether I’m eating properly, help me mow the grass in my yard, and offer advice in all kinds of situations, treating me like family.
And friends I’ve shared a meal with feel practically like family already!
With fewer than 1,800 people living on Naru Island, there aren’t many chances for people with different personalities and backgrounds to all come together.
In those moments, I spend my days laughing, crying, and enjoying myself in a lively, close-knit way with people I probably would never have become friends with in the city—without judging them as better or worse.
That is incredibly precious to me.
A variety of things flowing around the island without money involved
:quality(76))
When I lived in the city, I thought money was the only way to get anything new.
But once I started living on Naru Island, I was surprised to find that so many things beyond money move through everyday life as a matter of course.
“My garden vegetables did well, so I’m sharing some with you.”
“I caught a yellowtail amberjack—want to eat it?”
“I’m making fish cakes—want to try making them with me?”
“The sunset should be beautiful today—want to come on the boat?”
People generously share what they have like this.
At first I felt bad and tried to pay them, but almost never was I able to have them accept it.
Still, at first I was anxious, unsure what to do about receiving so much.
But before long, whether it was good or bad, I got used to this custom, and before I knew it, I was gratefully accepting these gifts.
In return, when I go out now, I often bring something with me instead of my wallet.
I stopped feeling generational gaps with anyone
:quality(76))
There are no trendy must-haves in Naru Island like you’d find in a city.
Maybe that’s why I no longer feel an age gap with anyone here.
More than that, I’ve stopped paying attention to status or title as well.
Older people treat us younger folks as equals and try to receive things from us just the same, and younger kids treat everyone equally too, regardless of trends.
Because the islanders have that kind of attitude, maybe I’m able to stay relaxed and see everyone as equals too.
Thanks to that, I’ve made friends ranging from 0 to 87 years old.
Even though I say I don’t mind age or status, time spent with people who come from different backgrounds is always refreshing and full of learning.
Recently, my best friend’s grandmother told me,
“If you don’t want to be bored when you’re older, you should learn some handicrafts.”
So now I’m knitting together with her for fun.
Since I work as an illustrator,
I also cheekily said, “Even when I’m older, I’ll still have my art, so I probably won’t get bored!”
and enjoy spending time talking with my best friend while keeping my hands busy.
In closing
:quality(76))
What did you think?
Were you able to get even a little sense of the charm of life on Naru Island, where people connect so comfortably with one another?
- The economy doesn’t run on money alone.
- There are people of all ages and with all kinds of life experiences in the world.
- But at the core, everyone is still just human.
When I put it into words like this, it may all sound obvious. But being able to feel these things as everyday realities, up close, has given my life a great sense of peace and richness.
There are no department stores, convenience stores, or any of the usual conveniences on Naru Island.
But here, you can find everything that truly matters.
The way of life that naturally exists in this town once existed in cities too, and maybe it is also the future way of life we ourselves are moving toward.
This year too, I hope to keep learning here while enjoying life on Naru Island to the fullest.
I share my everyday island life on social media as well, so if you’re interested, please take a look.
Hitokomakiko
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makico.goto/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@oekakimaco