YIGA メインメンバー紹介・self-introduction of main members of YIGA ②

Name： Pe-chin
Qualification:

Okinawa Designated Local Guide(English)
Join：a small inn 

Pe-chinya Hama in Yambaru　Okinawa

Address:
〒905-1415　
209-1 Hama 　Kunigami son 
Kunigami gun　Okinawa　
Mobile Tel:090-9780-4614

Mail address:yuujipeechinyukinari@gmail.com

Minds of a tour guide

About 130years ago, when the Ryukyu kingdom merged with Japan by the Meiji government, many kingdom officers lost their jobs, and so many of them had to move with their families to the Yambaru area.

Similarly, during the Battle of Okinawa in World War 2, many people from the south such as Naha and Shuri fled for refuge to  the Yambaru area.

Both those times they were welcomed with warm hospitality by Yambaru people.

Just like a mother welcoming her son or daughter when they face trouble.

After the Battle of Okinawa , wood from Yambaru forest was used in the reconstruction of Shuri and Naha .

A large number of trees were felled for use in construction to rebuild lives in Okinawa.

Soon after Okinawa was reverted to Japan, the government developed land for agriculture so rapidly that it caused a huge soil flow out to the ocean. This caused severe damage to the corals, leading to most of them dying.

Fortunately, Yambaru forest and the corals are gradually recovering.

There are many endangered species of flora and fauna in Yambaru forest. This forest is a designated Japanese national park, soon to be included on the World Heritage list in 2 years’ time.

Moving on to the corals in Okinawa, there are 340 kinds of corals here, almost the same amount as those found in the Great Barrier Reef even though Okinawa is only 3% the length of the Great Barrier Reef.

I want to tell people from all over the world about Okinawan history and culture, which were influenced by our 500-year relationship with Asian countries; a relationship that did not involve violence or the use of weapons.

I want to tell them this with warm Okinawan hospitality.