# What Life on a Japanese Island With Only 11 People is like Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DBgpgfNXWg Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/7DBgpgfNXWg Generated: 2025-11-11T10:42:39.876+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The video documents the creator's successful mission to meet all 11 residents of Takaikami Shima, a tiny, remote Japanese island between Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures, by delivering them Tokyo-sourced Omiyage (souvenir gifts) and experiencing the community's unique, isolated lifestyle, which includes cheap rent and a strong sense of mutual support despite the challenges of depopulation. **Key Points:** - Takaikami Shima is a tiny Japanese island with only 11 residents, located between Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures. - The creator successfully completed the mission to meet all 11 residents and give them gifts, finishing Mission #1 and #2 before the final day. - One resident, Hama-san (81), moved to the island two days prior after seeing it on TV, noting the rent is only ¥10,000 ($65) a month, compared to ¥200,000 ($1317) in Nagoya. - Hasebe-san, who manages the port office, revealed that he and his wife helped revitalize the island by hiring manga artists to paint murals on buildings, including one costing 6-7 million yen ($40k-46k) for a billboard-sized mural of 'Dr. Coto's Clinic' characters. - The island's residents rely on a ferry that runs only four times a day to commute for school and supplies, highlighting the logistical challenges of island life. - The creator gifted the islanders Tokyo sweets and planned to bring a TV to Hasebe-san's residence, who, along with his wife and brother, are among the few remaining long-term residents dedicated to keeping the community alive. ![Screenshot at 00:02: The video introduces Takaikami Shima, highlighting that only 11 people live on this remote Japanese island situated between Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/7DBgpgfNXWg/00-00-02.png) **Context:** This video documents a travel challenge undertaken by the creator, Paolo from Tokyo, to visit and interact with the residents of Takaikami Shima, one of Japan's smallest inhabited islands. The island's extreme isolation, characterized by a small, aging population and reliance on limited ferry schedules, is contrasted with its recent cultural revitalization efforts, primarily through large-scale manga-themed murals painted on the village buildings. ## Detailed Analysis The creator documents his challenging journey to Takaikami Shima, an island with only 11 residents, located between Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures. The initial missions involved meeting all residents and giving them gifts sourced from Tokyo, which were successfully completed (Missions #1 and #2). The creator meets Hama-san, an 81-year-old resident who recently moved from Nagoya, impressed by the low rent of only ¥10,000 ($65) per month. He then meets Hasebe-san, the port office manager, who is actively involved in revitalizing the community. Hasebe-san explains that they combat depopulation by hiring manga artists to paint murals on buildings, citing one large mural that cost 6-7 million yen ($40k-$46k) to create. Hasebe-san and his wife are dedicated to the island's survival, even hosting the creator for lunch and drinks. The creator notes the logistical difficulty, as the island relies on a ferry that runs only four times daily, which the children use to commute to school. The video concludes with the creator reflecting on the community's resilience and the kindness of the few remaining residents who are working together to sustain their home. ### Island Introduction & Logistics - Takaikami Shima is a small island (1.3 km²) with 11 residents, located between Hiroshima and Ehime; the only way on/off is a ferry running four times a day (00:04, 00:54, 02:25). ### Mission Completion & Resident Interactions - Creator meets Hama-san (81), who moved from Nagoya due to cheap rent (¥10,000/month) (03:44, 05:31); meets Hasebe-san, the port manager, who organizes community efforts (05:58). ### Community Revitalization Efforts - Hasebe-san and others hired manga artists to paint murals on buildings, including one large billboard mural costing 6-7 million yen ($40k-$46K) featuring characters from 'Dr. Coto's Clinic' (06:37, 10:08, 20:32). ### Daily Life & Hospitality - The creator shares a meal (fried chicken, side dishes) with Hasebe-san and others, drinks beer, and receives preserved peaches from Yamanashi (07:01, 07:17, 19:55). Hasebe-san works hard, taking care of his wife and mother-in-law, and fishes regularly (22:57, 23:23). ### Challenges & Future - The island faces depopulation, but the locals strive to create sustainable jobs (e.g., manga school, café) to support the community (22:02, 27:55). The creator successfully completes Missions #1 (visit a home) and #2 (deliver gifts). ![Screenshot at 00:00: Creator introduces the island, holding up a printed image of the small settlement.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/7DBgpgfNXWg/00-00-00.png) ![Screenshot at 00:04: Map showing Takaikami Shima's location between Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/7DBgpgfNXWg/00-00-04.png) ![Screenshot at 00:19: Creator boards the ferry, noting the long travel time required to reach the island.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/7DBgpgfNXWg/00-00-19.png) ![Screenshot at 00:56: Time-lapse showing the ferry arriving at the dock, with locals waiting.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/7DBgpgfNXWg/00-00-56.png) ![Screenshot at 01:05: Aerial view identifying the island as Takaikami Shima, or 'High God's Island'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/7DBgpgfNXWg/00-01-05.png) ![Screenshot at 03:34: Mission checklist showing the first two goals completed: meeting residents and visiting a home.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/7DBgpgfNXWg/00-03-34.png) ![Screenshot at 06:12: Hasebe-san shows off the renovated cafe interior covered in manga murals.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/7DBgpgfNXWg/00-06-12.png) ![Screenshot at 09:54: Hasebe-san driving his mobility scooter near the harbor.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/7DBgpgfNXWg/00-09-54.png) ![Screenshot at 11:17: Students boarding the ferry, highlighting the daily commute for island children.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/7DBgpgfNXWg/00-11-17.png) ![Screenshot at 21:41: Hasebe-san shows the empty community hall/classroom that formerly held many children.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/7DBgpgfNXWg/00-21-41.png) ![Screenshot at 24:24: A toast being shared among the residents and the creator over lunch.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/7DBgpgfNXWg/00-24-24.png) ![Screenshot at 27:08: Mission #3 is crossed out as the creator failed to meet all 11 residents before the last ferry left.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/7DBgpgfNXWg/00-27-08.png)