There is love in the heart of hospitality

❝The Guide of Umaji Village❞

A bonus story from the Open University of Japan Kochi Study Center's research field trip.

If you ask me what left the biggest impression, among many things, it was definitely the guide.

They joined us on the bus midway through our journey and spoke to us about various things in such a clear, resonant voice.

Guide K, who is over 70, started with an introduction.
It was like listening to rakugo, with a smooth, humorous tone.

The reason they became a guide is wonderful.

K, who has loved the village they grew up in since childhood, loves it dearly.

The village, which became famous for its yuzu and hot springs, started attracting tourists.
Tourists who travel all the way along mountain roads to enjoy playing in the river, savoring the bounty of the mountains and rivers, and soaking in the hot springs might think, 'That was fun,' but I wondered if they would think, 'I want to come back again.'

That thought apparently welled up inside them.

The village now has a population of just over 700.

Although there is an industry based on yuzu, they volunteered to be a guide out of the desire that 'we must cherish the people who come to visit this village so that they will want to come back again and again.'

As they researched the village's history, current situation, and recommended spots, their love for the village seemed to deepen even further.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there had been no requests for guides for several years, and we were their first group since returning to guiding.

I was impressed by the variety of topics that students of all ages could find interesting.

They told us about Umaji Village from various angles, including both its good points and its challenges.

At the direct sales shop, they even said, 'Thank you for buying the miso my wife made.'

K loves the village and loves every single villager.

It is too far from my home to make a day trip on my own, but they were a guide who made me think, 'I want to go again,' and 'I want to meet them again.'

❝The Guide of Umaji Village❞

Today is Tuesday. May it be a day filled with love 💖