Machu Picchu Reopens for Stranded Tourist After Months of Lockdown

By Mary Anne R. Oct 14 2020, 04:52 AM EDT

Machu Picchu was opened for a stranded tourist who spent seven months in the country due to the lockdown restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Japanese citizen, Jesse Katayama, had an unexpected seven month stay in Peru. Katayama is a native of Osaka, Japan. He arrived in Aguas Calientes on March 14. Aguas Calientes is the town from which most people begin their expeditions in the Machu Picchu.

On March 16, he already had his entry ticket and permit to enter the UNESCO World Heritage site. However, that was the same date that the Peruvian officials decided to close the ancient site, which made Katayama stranded.

The 26-year-old boxing instructor from Japan became a local in Aguas Calientes. He started renting a small room for the past seven months.

During his stay, Katayama made the best of his experience by visiting local areas like Putucusi Mountain and the Calientes Waterfalls. Katayama also taught boxing classes to some local children and even made friends in his newfound hometown.

Katayama noted that his goal, once he returns to Japan, is to launch his own boxing gym. He used his stay in Machu Picchu to practice his moves.

"I go to run every morning and I could see Machu Picchu afar in distance. I thought I would never make it to Machu Picchu as I was expecting it won't open within this year. but I was OK with it because I had a great time here," he said in a report.

Katayama then started running out of money and would have to head back home without using his Machu Picchu ticket. But with the help of local tour company, Andean Roots Peru, and the national Ministry of Culture, Katayama was given special permission to enter Machu Picchu.

He was with two photographers who documented the experience. The site's chief, Jose Bastante, also accompanied him.

"I thought I never make it (to Machu Picchu) but everyone asked the government and the town and they game me super special permission. Peruvians are soooo kind. Thank you soooo much!" he was quoted.

Katayama said that he would be leaving Peru to return home to Japan on Oct. 16. Katayama noted that he would definitely cry upon leaving, adding that these past seven months have been very special to him as he discovered a new part of himself.

Peru's Minister of Culture Alejandro Neyra confirmed that the Japanese citizen had entered Machu Picchu with the head of the park.

Neyra said that they have reopening plans for Machu Picchu. He added that they plan to receive visitors at 30 percent capacity. However, the Peru's Minister of Culture did not say an exact date for the reopening plans.

Before the pandemic, Machu Picchu was attracting several tourists. The tourist site had initially planned to reopen in public in July. However, Neyra said that it had been rescheduled to November.

Machu Picchu stands for more than 500 years, which was first built by the Inca empire. American explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered the ruins in 1911.