On 6/3, Yuyu, a Chinese tourist, shared a moving story from her trip to Okinawa, Japan, earlier in March.

Upon arrival, unfamiliar with the local transportation system, she stood at a bus stop studying the schedule. An elementary school girl approached her, asking which bus route Yuyu intended to take.

The 1,000 JPY note the Japanese girl gave Yuyu. *Photo: SCMP*

Yuyu, who did not speak Japanese, responded in English, while the girl used a translation app to communicate. The girl indicated they would be on the same bus. Once aboard, she sat in front of Yuyu. The tourist noticed the girl diligently writing and assumed she was doing homework.

Later, the girl turned around and handed Yuyu a 1,000 JPY note (approximately 170,000 VND), along with a small piece of paper that read, "You can use this money to pay for the bus. Thank you for coming to Okinawa". In Japan, passengers typically pay for the bus towards the end of their journey. Although Yuyu tried to return the money, the girl firmly refused and quickly exited the bus.

This kind gesture and sincere message moved Yuyu to the point of nearly crying. She stated she would not spend the money. A few days later, Yuyu returned to the bus stop with candy, hoping to meet the girl again, but she did not appear.

"When I think of Okinawa, beyond the beaches, I will remember the girl diligently writing on the paper on the bus," she said, emphasizing that human kindness is more beautiful than famous tourist attractions.

A part of Okinawa prefecture. *Photo: SCMP*

Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, comprises hundreds of islands in the Ryukyu archipelago, boasting a distinct indigenous culture. Beyond its tourism reputation, Okinawa is also recognized as one of the world's "Blue Zones", areas where people have the longest lifespans.

In January, international tourist arrivals to Japan reached approximately 3,6 million, a 4,9% decrease compared to the same period last year. This marked the first decline in four years, since 1/2022. The primary reason for this drop was a 61% reduction in visitors from mainland China, totaling only 385,300 arrivals, attributed to diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

By Hoai Anh (Source: SCMP, NBC News)