Let's Come to the Island Again! Let's Meet There! New Friendships Forged from a Packaged Tour of Volleyball

Under the Izu Oshima Island Protocol Project, the residents of the island worked hard to create experiences and environment where the island would become a regular meeting point for volleyball for one year. For two days from January 7th to 8th, 2023, over 20 people including team members, guardians and teachers from Fussa Daisan Junior High School's volleyball club in Fussa City, Tokyo came to the island to play volleyball with the children on the island. It was a fun packaged tour to experience Oshima Island.

A volleyball event began on the first day at Oshima High school. High schoolers and junior high schoolers that play volleyball from several locations joined in and became united as one.

(Opening ceremony)

The junior high and high schoolers of the island were the main people who drove the event. They thought of a fun menu for the visitors. The event started with self-introductions as an ice breaker and then they broke into groups to warm up and finally a real match of volleyball. The students played very well and applause broke out in the crowd.

(Enjoying a match of volleyball)

Many people voiced how fun it was to play volleyball seriously; it was a day where both students from Fussa and the island learned to play volleyball with serious effort.

The second day consisted of the people from Fussa learning about the good points of Oshima Island. They walked around Habuminato, where there are gorgeous views from the port and great cross section of the geological stratum, a place where one can really experience the grand nature of the island. The first day event allowed students from both areas to mingle and enjoy each other's company. It was a very fun atmosphere. They especially enjoyed Oshima's famous black sand beach. Despite it being winter, they put their feet into the water and were in high spirits.

(Enjoying "Sanohama" beach)

(Goodbye ceremony)

Everyone said their goodbyes at Okata Port. After the goodbye speech at the ceremony, the children of the island sent paper filled with words and drawings to the Fussa students. Everyone waved goodbye at each other as the ship sailed out onto the sea.

(Group photo saying goodbye)

Although many students from Fussa have heard about Oshima Island, most of them have never come and traveled here. It was a short two-day trip but many of them expressed interested in coming back, hopefully making it a place where they visit often. Oshima Island will continue to host these gatherings with volleyball!