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When you visit the islands of Zamami and Aka in Okinawa’s Kerama Island cluster, look

out for a dog statue on each of the islands. These are the statues of two dogs called
Shiro and Marilyn, and a tribute to a story of everlasting devotion.

Who are Shiro and Marilyn?


Shiro and Marilyn were two dogs that lived side-by-side on the island of Zamami and
were inseparable, until one day in 1986 when Shiro’s owner moved their household
over to the neighbouring island of Aka, a 15-minute ferry ride across the channel.

Photo by Jaclynn Seah via The Occasional Traveller

Love knows no distance


But distance proved no barrier to Shiro, who would jump into the ocean every morning
and was frequently sighted by island residents making the 3km swim across the
channel between Aka and Zamami Island, regardless of the weather or choppy sea, just
to be reunited with his beloved Marilyn. Shiro did not forget his own family, and would
return to them via that same arduous swim in the evening.

Shiro would make this journey every day until Marilyn passed away – the pair had three
litters of puppies together despite the distance.

A love immortalised
This heartwarming story of devotion inspired a live action movie called ‘Marilyn Ni Aitai’
or ‘I want to see Marilyn’ in 1988, and in tribute to this steadfast love, the residents of
both islands raised funds to build statues of both dogs and erected them on their
respective islands, both facing towards the ocean and each other.

Photo by Jaclynn Seah via The Occasional Traveller

The Shiro statue can be found on Aka Island’s main beach Nishihama Beach, also
where Shiro started his swim from every day.
The Marilyn statue can be found Zamami Island about 10 minutes from the port in the
direction of the Ama campsite.

The Kerama Islands are 30-40km north of Okinawa’s largest island and capital city
Naha. Several high speed ferries take about 1 hour to go from Naha’s Tomari port to
Zamami and Aka Island every day.

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