オススメ度
外国語対応
About Amami Oshima
Amami Oshima Island is a beautiful and untouched island with a rich and beautiful natural environment, including “virgin forests that look like forests from the age of dinosaurs,” “unique and rare plants and animals living in deep forests,” “one of the clearest and most beautiful blue seas in Japan,” “coral reefs formed by over 200 types of corals,” “a rich variety of colorful tropical fish,” etc., as well as fascinating and unique culture such as Oshima silk pongee, brown sugar shochu, and traditional Amami folk music.
Amami Oshima is a popular tourist destination and resort among Japanese people, though not as popular as nearby Okinawa.
Incidentally, the beautiful ocean color around Amami Oshima is called “Amami blue”.
With an area of approximately 712㎢, it is the third largest island in Japan after Okinawa Island and Sadogashima, and is located approximately 380km southwest of Kagoshima and 350km northeast of Okinawa Island, roughly halfway between the two.
Amami Oshima Island was originally part of the Eurasian Continent, but was separated from the continent as a result of continuous migration to the southeast about 2,000,000 years ago.
Since then, it has become a treasure trove of unique and rare plants and animals that have evolved in their own unique way, and is also called the “Galapagos of the East.
In recognition of the above, the site was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in July 2021, together with Tokunoshima Island, northern Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island.
Not only is the natural beauty of the forests and ocean wonderful, but Amami Oshima is also home to cheerful and peaceful people, where time passes at a leisurely pace.
This is the place to go for those who are tired and in need of healing.
A wide variety of activities are available to enjoy the great nature, especially marine activities (diving, surfing, etc.).
However, this is a rural area.
If you are a “city person” who is not interested in nature, you will get bored in a short time, so do not come here.
It’s a waste of time, money, and feelings.
Brief History
It may seem a little surprising, but the history of Amami Oshima is quite old.
It seems to have been settled tens of thousands of years ago, and relics dating back to 23,000 years ago have been found.
The Amami Islands have long been in contact with China and central Japan through trade, and have frequently appeared in Japanese history books since the 7th century.
The islands were conquered by the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1447, and thereafter came under its rule until 1608; from 1609 it came under the control of Japanese Satsuma clan lasting until 1867.
It officially became a territory of Japan in 1879, about 10 years after the end of the Samurai era, but was ruled by the U.S. from 1945, the end of World War II, and reverted to Japan in 1953.
It is important to note that the people of the Amami Islands have often had a tough time being ruled by various countries for hundreds of years.
Incidentally, if your main purpose is to enjoy gourmet food and nightlife (bars specifically), I recommend you to stay in Naze, where there is a downtown area.
On the other hand, if you want to enjoy resort life, it would be better to stay near the Oshima Strait in the south or along the coast in the north.
Recommendation
Enjoy the beautiful scenery, nature, nature-based activities (mountain and ocean), cultural experiences, and food.
Don’t expect much from shopping.
As for beautiful scenery and nature, you can enjoy the beautiful blue sea and deep subtropical forests from beaches, capes, and observatories.
Amami Oshima Island has a wonderful sunset, so at sunset, it is best to go to the East China Sea side, the west coast of the island, or to the high ground with a clear view to the west.
Nature-related activities in and around mountain terrain include canoeing in the mangrove forest, walking in the Kinsakubaru virgin forest, and night safaris, allowing visitors to experience the natural splendor of Amami Oshima.
Aquatic activities vary in type and offer amazing sights.
Diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, and other activities are very enjoyable while viewing the beautiful coral reefs and tropical fish in the clear blue ocean, one of the clearest in Japan.
There are several excellent beaches all over the island, many of which are also great for swimming.
Amami Oshima is also a “surfing mecca” for Japanese surfers, with good waves at any time of the year.
Whale watching is also popular on Amami Oshima.
If you join a tour, you can see whales from late January to the end of March with a 90% sighting chance.
As for cultural experiences, there are several facilities where visitors can observe the production process of Oshima silk, a silk fabric with a long history of approximately 1,300 years, and experience mud-dyeing.
As for food, brown sugar shochu (alcoholic drink), chicken rice, seafood, and fruits are tasty, but others aren’t worth noting.
However, you can enjoy local cuisine at restaurants and izakayas (Japanese-style pubs), and you can also enjoy local folk songs while drinking brown sugar shochu.
If you are planning to visit Amami Oshima, it is important to choose the right time of year.
The rainy season is from mid-May to late June, and strong typhoons often pass through in August and September.
If the weather is poor, the ocean will not be clean and will look dull, loosing roughly 95% of it’s beauty.
* Although Amami Oshima Island has an image of “sunshine all the time,” it has the shortest sunshine hours in Japan due to the large amount of rain that falls throughout the year.
The worst is a typhoon.
When a typhoon hits, all flights and boats are cancelled, you end up stuck on the island, ruining your travel plans.
If you visit in August or September, the chance of a typhoon during your stay is about 20% as usual.
So the best time to visit is July, after the rainy season.
Winter is quite cold, and the best time to go into the ocean is during the 5 months between May and September.
Access to Amami Oshima
By Air
There are air routes between Tokyo (Haneda/Narita), Osaka (Kansai/Itami), Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Okinawa, and the Amami Islands (Tokunoshima, Yoronjima, Kikaijima).
While it is possible to fly inexpensively from Tokyo (Narita Airport) and Osaka (Kansai International Airport), where LCCs are available, tickets to and from other destinations are very expensive.
As for frequency, there are 8 to 10 flights a day to Kagoshima, but only 1 to 3 flights a day to other places.
The following is a link to the timetable of Amami Airporti.
Amami Airport
[ See details ]
| Address | 374-4, Wano, Kasari-cho, Amami-shi, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | About 60 minutes by bus from […] |
| Tel | 0997-63-2251 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Access from the airport
Amami Airport is located in the northern part of the island and is quite far from the center of the island, Nase, about 30 km away.
By Bus
There is a bus service between Amami Airport and Naze, the center of the city, approximately every 30 minutes.
The trip takes about 60 minutes and costs 1,100 yen.
There are two routes, one via Amami Park and the other via Akakina in the north, but both go to Nase.
There are many stops along the way, but they are not direct.
By Taxi
The trip to Naze, the center of the city, takes about 50 minutes, and the fare is quite expensive, ranging from 9,000 to 10,000 yen.
By Ferry
There are one or two ferry services a day to/from Kagoshima and one to/from Okinawa.
It is good that the port is located in Naze,the center of the city,however, there are several major drawbacks: it takes a long time (11-13 hours), the fare is almost the same as that of airplanes, and trips are easily cancelled in bad weather conditions such as typhoons and high waves.
Two companies, A’Line and Malix Line, operate the service, but their websites are not available in multiple languages, so it is difficult to make reservations.
Naze Port
| Company | A’Line | Malix Line |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 17-2281 Shiohama-cho, Naze, Amami-shi | 2281 Shiohama-cho, Naze, Amami-shi |
| TEL | 0997-53-2111 | 099-225-1551 |
| Closed | Open year round | Open year round |
| URL | https://www.aline-ferry.com | https://marixline.com/ |
Access within the island
Amami Oshima is a rather large island.
The only public transportation is buses, and buses are infrequent outside of the central area, so it is very inconvenient without a rental car.
If you don’t have a rental car and want to explore the island, you should sign up for one of the following sightseeing tours.
There are no convenience stores on the island except in a few towns, so it is better to stock up before you go out.
There are vending machines here and there that sell beverages such as juice.
Car rental
Car rental companies are concentrated around Amami Airport, but there are also car rental companies in Naze in the center of the island, and in Koniya in the south.
Demand for rental cars on Amami Oshima is always strong, and on weekends and during long vacations in Japan, cars are often all rented out, so advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Below are links to car rental sites that offer multilingual support.
The daily rental fee for a light car is about 3,000 yen.
Please note that there are many unpaved roads and sharp curves in mountainous areas, so be careful when driving.
Parking is free in most places, which is nice.
| Company | Times Car Rental | Tabirai Japan |
|---|---|---|
| TEL | 0997-63-0240 | Reservation by web |
| URL | https://en.tabirai.net/car/kagoshima/amami_airport/ | https://www.timescar-rental.com/en/kagoshima/shop/4604/ |
Bus
There are three bus companies operating on Amami Oshima Island:
- Shimabus: covers major points (Amami Airport, downtown Nase, Setouchi Umi no Eki, etc.)
- Nanbu Kotsu Bus: connects Setouchi Town’s villages
- Yamatomura Chokko Bus: runs from Nase toward Yamato-son.
In the downtown area of Nase, there is a bus service every 10 to 20 minutes, but otherwise, there is only one bus service every few hours.
There are also unlimited-ride tickets for local buses that can only be used on Shimabus.
- 2,100 yen for 1 day
- 3,150 yen for 2 days
- 4,200 yen for 3 days
Below is a link to the most popular Shimabus routes.
Taxi
It is easy to catch a cab at Amami Airport and in the center of Nase, but there are no cabs in other areas.
You’ll need to call a cab company and ask them to come to you, but they probably do not speak any foreign language.
See It
Since Amami Oshima Island is quite large, it would be more efficient to visit spots that are in close proximity to each other.
Amami Oshima Island is divided into three areas, and the spots in close proximity are summarized below for your reference.
Amami Airport is located in the northern part of the island, and Nase, where the busy quarters and the port are located, is in the central part of the island.
Northern Region
- Observation Decks and Capes
Cape Ayamaru,Kasarisaki,Gamozaki Tourist Park,Futatsu ga Mieru Oka (Hillside View of Two Oceans) - Beaches
Sakibaru Coast,Tomori Coast,Heart Rock - Nature Experience
Whale watching and Tatsugo Town - Water Sports
Scuba diving,Snorkeling,Sea kayaking,Surfing/Pacific coast side and Kasari Bay - Cultural Experience
Amami Oshima Tsumugimura/Tatsugo Town,Naze/traditional Amami folk music - Food
Famous chicken rice restaurants (Hisakura and Minatoya) - Shopping
Big II Amami shop
Central Region
- Busy Quarters
Naze - Nature Experiences
- Kinsakubaru primeval forest,Mangrove primeval forest/Sumiyou Town,Night Safari/Sumiyou Town,Whale watching/Naze
- Cultural Experiences
Traditional Amami folk music / Naze - Beaches
Amami City Ohama Seaside Park
Southern & Western Region
- Observation Decks & Capes
Kochiyama Observatory, Mt. Yui Observatory, Mt. Yuwandake Observatory Park, Heart-ga-Mieru-Oka, Manenzaki Observatory - Beaches
Taenbama Beach, Yadori Beach, Honohoshi Beach - Nature Experiences
Sightseeing Boat /Koniya - Water Sports
Diving,Snorkeling, Sea kayaking, Surfing & Oshima Strait
Sightseeing
Sunsets
On Amami Oshima Island, it is strongly recommended to visit at dusk, as you can see magnificent and romantic sunsets on high ground, capes, and beaches with a clear view to the west.
The following are the main sunset spots.
- Northern area
Gamozakikanko Park, Sakibaru Beach - Central area
Amami City Ohama Seaside Park - Southern area
Kochiyama Observatory, Yui-dake Observatory, Taenbama Beach - Western area
Yuwandake Observatory Park
The sunset time on Amami Oshima Island is much later than on the mainland, as follows
- Spring (Mar–May)：18:20–19:15
- Summer (Jun–Aug)：18:45–19:20
- Fall (Sep–Nov)：17:30–18:40
- Winter (Dec–Feb)：17:20–18:20
Observation Decks & Capes
The following is a personal ranking of viewing spots on Amami Oshima Island according to the quality of the view.
1st:Kochiyama Observatory
2nd:Manenzaki Observatory
3rd:Gamozaki Tourist Park
4th:Cape Ayamaru Misaki
5th:Miharashi Hiroba/Ohama Kaihin Park
6th:Kasarisaki
7th:Yuwandake Observatory Park
8th:Two Umi-no-Mieru Oka / Kashiken Toge (Toge = pass)
9th:Yui-dake (Mt. Yui) Observatory
10th:Heart-ga-Mieru Oka
Northern Region
Ayamaru Misaki
The cape juts out into the Pacific Ocean. The grounds of the observatory, which is located on a hill, are grassy and nice. Since there is nothing around the observatory, the view from it is spectacular. The contrast of the blue ocean, white sandy beach, jungle green with rutus and sandalwood, and blue sky is […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 682 Suno, Oaza, Kasari-cho, Amami-shi |
|---|---|
| Access | - Bus: From Amami Airport, bo[…] |
| Tel | 0997-63-1111 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Kasarizaki
The lighthouse is located at the northernmost tip of Amami Oshima Island, about 5 minutes up a steep mountain road from a road dead end. The elevation is about 60 meters and the field of view is about 270 degrees, so the view from the lighthouse site is very good, offering a panoramic view of […]
[ See details ]
| Address | Yo, Oaza, Kasari-cho, Amami-shi, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 15 min. by car from Amami Air[…] |
| Tel | 0997-63-1111 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Gamozaki Kanko Park
The park is located on high ground 120 meters above sea level. It is about a 10-minute drive up a narrow, winding mountain road from Prefectural Road 602. After a short walk along the green-covered promenade from the parking lot, you will come to an observation deck, which opens up a panoramic view. The view […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 1551 Yani, Kasari-cho, Amami-shi, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 20 min. by car from Amami Air[…] |
| Tel | 0997-63-1111 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Futatsu no Umiga Mieruoka & Kahsiken Pass
It is a place where one can view two oceans at the same time: the East China Sea on the left and the Pacific Ocean on the right. The view is nce since it is located near the top of the mountain. However, the location is a little difficult to find, so please be careful. […]
[ See details ]
| Address | Akaogi, Tatsugo-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 30 minutes by car from Amami […] |
| Tel | 0997-69-4512 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Southern & Western Areas
Kochiyama Observatory
It is the observatory with the best view in Amami Oshima (probably) and is located at an altitude of 415 meters above sea level. The observatory is a rather cute mushroom-shaped building, but a superb view awaits you on the top floor. The top floor offers a superb view of the Oshima Strait with its […]
[ See details ]
| Address | Kunetsu, Setouchi-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 1 hour and 40 minutes by car […] |
| Tel | 0997-72-1115 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Mt. Yui Observatory
The observatory is about 2 km up from Kochiyama Observation Deck. The two observatories are close to each other, so it may be a good idea to visit them together, but the view from Yuidake Observatory is not great at all. In fact, the view along the road about 150 m before the observatory is […]
[ See details ]
| Address | Agina, Setouchi-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 1 hour and 45 minutes by car […] |
| Tel | 0997-72-1199 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Heart Shape Bay Viewpoint
This is an observatory located on high ground along Prefectural Road 626. Looking down on the bay from here, the view is not “beautiful” but somehow heart-shaped. If you come here as a couple and look at the heart-shaped bay together, or take a selfie with the heart in the background, it will surely be […]
[ See details ]
| Address | Katetsu, Setouchi-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 1 hour and 40 minutes by car […] |
| Tel | |
| URL |
Manenzaki Observation Deck
The observatory is located on high ground along Prefectural Road 626. The view from the observatory is very good. The view of coral reefs, islands, Rias coast, beautiful gradation of ocean colors, and deep greenery of mountains from here is wonderful. There are two viewing spots, one from which you can see the Oshima Strait […]
[ See details ]
| Address | Katetsu, Setouchi-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 1 hour and 45 minutes by car […] |
| Tel | |
| URL |
Yuwandake Observation Park
Yuwandake is the highest peak in the Amami Islands with an altitude of 694 meters. This observatory is located at the entrance to the trailhead of Yuwandake, 480 meters above sea level. From the observatory, about a 5-minute walk from the parking lot along a mountain path, one can see 360° around the mountain, mainly […]
[ See details ]
| Address | Yuwan, Uken-son, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 2 hours drive from Amami Airp[…] |
| Tel | 0997-67-2211 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Beaches
Nothern Region
Sakibaru Beach
This beach is called the most beautiful beach on Amami Oshima. Located at the tip of a cape jutting out into Kasari Bay, the beach is quiet with few tourists, making it seem like a private beach. Pass through the rows of sandalwood trees along the shore, and you will be struck by the beautiful […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 3622 Kase, Kasari-cho, Amami-shi, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 15 min. by car from Amami Air[…] |
| Tel | 0997-63-0828 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Tomori Beach
It is the closest beach from Amami Airport and is one of the most beautiful beaches on Amami Oshima. The beautiful emerald green sea is very clear, and corals grow in colonies. The gradation of the white sandy beach and the green, deep blue ocean interweave and make for a beautiful and fantastic experience. The […]
[ See details ]
| Address | Ushuku, Kasari-cho, Amami-shi, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | - Bus: From Amami Airport, bo[…] |
| Tel | 0997-63-1111 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Central Region
Ohama Seaside Park
This beach has been selected as one of the “100 best beaches in Japan. As the closest beach to Nase, it is very popular among locals and tourists. Facing the East China Sea, the beach has white sand and blue ocean, creating a sense of openness. It is famous for its beautiful sunsets, and at […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 701-1,Ohama, Koshuku, Naze, Amami-shi, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 60 min. by car from "Amami Ai[…] |
| Tel | 0997-55-6000 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Southern & Western Region
Taen-hama Beach
The beach has white sand and extremely clear emerald green waters. It is located near the western end of Amami Oshima Island and is famous as a sunset spot. There are many colorful tropical fish swimming among the coral reefs, and if your timing is good, you can see dolphins swimming just offshore. A breakwater […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 3631 Heda, Uken-son, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 2 hours by car from "Amami Ai[…] |
| Tel | 0997-67-2211 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Yadori Beach
It is a beautiful beach located east of the Oshima Strait and almost at the southernmost tip of Amami Oshima, with Kakeroma Island on the opposite shore. Here, the blue sea and white sandy beaches are lined with large banyan trees that shade the sandy beach, creating a truly tropical atmosphere. The shallow waters and […]
[ See details ]
| Address | Sokaru, Setouchi-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 2 hours by car from Amami Air[…] |
| Tel | 0997-72-1199 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
There is a bus from Koniya Port to Yadori Beach, but it is not recommended as there is only one bus every two to three hours.
If you really want to take it, check out the following site.
Other Scenic Spots
Northern Region
Heart Rock
It is a heart-shaped tide pool that appears only at low tide, which occurs twice a day, and is a very popular romantic and power spot. It is located on the east coast of the village of Akaogi in the northeastern part of Amami Oshima. There is an entrance to the beach along a narrow […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 1346-1 Akaochi, Tatsugo-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | - Bus: Take the Shimabasu-Kuu[…] |
| Tel | 0997-69-4512 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
It is said that if you take a picture of a Hart Rock and make it the standby screen of your smart phone or PC, your love will come true.
If you are a purist who believes in anything, or if you have nothing else to cling to, you should give it a try.
This is a place for couples or at best a group of women who are just having a good time.
Sorry, that was out of line.
Particularly, if you are a man without a girlfriend, you should not go alone.
Your heart will freeze like a stone when you see the couples enjoying themselves around you.
The parking lot is located along Prefectural Road No. 82. From there, walk about 100 meters toward Naze/Southwest, turn left, and walk another 100 meters to the entrance to the beach.
Southern & Western Region
Honohoshi Coast
It is located on a cape at the southern tip of Amami Oshima Island. The round stones make a strange sound every time a wave comes in. There is an old legend that “whoever takes the stones away from the beach will bring bad luck,” so the round stones are prohibited from being taken out […]
[ See details ]
| Address | Sokari, Setouchi-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 2 hours by car from "Amami Ai[…] |
| Tel | 0997-72-1199 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
There is an old legend that “whoever takes the stones away from the beach will bring bad luck,” so the round stones are prohibited from being taken out of the beach.
It is possible that this legend was created because the loss of the round stones would be a problem for tourism, but it is not certain.
If you have someone in your party who you don’t like, you may want to encourage them to take the stones home.
Cultural Activities
The culture is heavily influenced by Ryukyu (Ancient Okinawa) and Satsuma (Ancient Kagoshima), with some elements of China and Southeast Asia mixed in, resulting in a unique culture and customs.
Oshima Tsumugi Weave
Oshima tsumugi weave has a long history of approximately 1,300 years, and is one of the world’s three most famous textiles, along with Persian carpets and Gobelins.
Oshima tsumugi weave has a long history of approximately 1,300 years, and is one of the world’s three most famous textiles, along with Persian carpets and Gobelins.
The most distinctive features of Oshima tsumugi is its vertical and horizontal combination of yarn-dyed silk threads, which produces a detailed kasuri, or splash pattern, unlike any other, and mud-dyeing, which produces a unique deep black color.
Oshima tsumugi is not only beautiful, but also has the following functions.
The yarn is soaked in tannin and iron during the dyeing process, making it resistant to insect attack, and durable enough to last 150 to 200 years.
Oshima tsumugi has a total of 30~40 production processes, all of which are done by hand, and it takes about one year to complete one piece of cloth (*about 37 cm wide and 12.5 m long).
The production process is briefly described below.
Hand-spun silk yarns are dyed about 20 times with juice containing tannin, which is made by boiling the trunks and roots of heirloom plum trees that grow wild in the mountains, and then rubbed in a muddy field containing iron, a process that is repeated 4 to 5 times.
As a result, the silk threads are dyed a deep, shiny black color by a chemical reaction, and weavers weave them using simple machines or by hand, taking about 1.5 to 2 months to complete the process.
The motifs of Oshima tsumugi are usually natural flowers and grasses.
On Amami Oshima Island, there are several facilities where visitors can observe and experience the craftsmanship of mud dyeing and hand weaving.
The following are main facilities.
Oshima Tsumugi mura
This facility allows visitors to observe the production process of Oshima tsumugi and to experience mud-dyeing using handkerchiefs, T-shirts, and other items. Located in a vast subtropical garden of about 50,000 m2, it also has a store selling Oshima silk kimonos and other goods. A guided tour of the Oshima tsumugi production process is offered […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 1945, Akaogi, Tatsugo-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | - Bus: Take the Shimabus from[…] |
| Tel | 0997-62-3100 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Traditional Amami Folk Music
Traditional Amami folk music has been sung in the Amami Islands since ancient times.
The islanders still sing and dance to this traditional Amami folk music during festivals, weddings, and other celebrations.
The songs are characterized by a distinctive high-pitched singing voice with a lot of falsetto and singing to one’s own accompaniment on a sanshin (Okinawan traditional three-stringed instrument).
Many of the shima-uta songs are somewhat melancholy and wistful, and are based on the Amami Islands’ violent history.
In this sense, you could say that shima-uta is also blues.
In the central town of Naze, there are several restaurants where you can enjoy island cuisine and shima-uta performances.
The following are most recommended.
Kintei
[ See details ]
| Address | 6-2, Nazekanekucho, Amami, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 4 min. walk from Naze Post Of[…] |
| Tel | 0997-52-9646 |
| URL |
Kyodo Ryori Kazumi
[ See details ]
| Address | 15-16, Nazesuehirocho, Amami, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 4 min. walk from "Nase post o[…] |
| Tel | 0997-52-5414 |
| URL |
Nature Activitie
Mangrove
A vast virgin mangrove forest is located in the south-central part of Amami Oshima Island, at the mouth of the Sumiyogawa River facing the Pacific Ocean where it meets the Yakugachigawa River.
It is the second largest mangrove forest in Japan, covering an area of approximately 700,000 square meters.
The largest mangrove forest in Japan is located on Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture, with an area of 1,580,000 m2.
The world’s largest mangrove forest is located in Bangladesh’s Sundarbans National Park, with an area of 4,000,000,000 m2, about 5,700 times that of Amami Oshima, which is slightly different in scale.
Mangroves are a general term for plants that grow where seawater and freshwater mix in tropical and subtropical regions.
At the Kuroshio no Mori Mangrove Park, visitors can experience canoeing through a maze-like mangrove forest at the mouth of the river.
At high tide, visitors can paddle a canoe and observe the virgin mangrove forest, and at low tide, they can paddle a canoe and observe the creatures on the mud flats.
The tour takes about one hour and costs 2,000 yen.
Canoe tours are offered five times a day, starting at 10:00 a.m. and running every hour and a half.
Kuroshio no Mori Mangrove Park
A nature park adjacent to a virgin mangrove forest. The observation deck with a great view overlooking the vast virgin mangrove forest and the boardwalk where visitors can observe the plants up close are free of charge! In the fee-charging zone, there is a mangrove pavilion where you can learn about nature, a ground golf […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 478, Ishihara, Sumiyou-cho, Amami, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | - Bus: From Amami Airport, ta[…] |
| Tel | 0997-56-3355 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Primeval Forest Walk
Kinsakubaru Old-growth Forest
Isolated from the Eurasian continent long ago, and blessed with abundant mountains and rivers, Amami Oshima Island is home to many endemic animals and plants that have evolved in their own unique way.
The Kinsakubaru Old-growth Forest, which stretches almost to the center of Amami Oshima, is thick with subtropical plants and has an atmosphere reminiscent of the setting of the movie “Jurassic Park”, as if you’ve traveled back to a prehistoric forest.
Experienced guides will introduce the names of rare plants and animals, their ecology, and power spots.
* Note that private access to the Kanezakuhara Old-growth Forest is restricted.
The highlight of this activity is to see “living fossil”, or a colony of massive ferns of brush pot trees, so it is rather unimpressive.
There are no large carnivores, elephants, pandas, or other impactful animals, so if you are not a nature lover, this activity may not be stimulating enough for you.
On the other hand, if you like nature, this is an activity you should definitely participate in.
Reservations can be made in English through the following website.
The following other companies also offer tours and are slightly cheaper.
However, they do not offer tours in multiple languages, so just making a reservation can be a challenge.
The tour takes about three hours, includes transportation to and from the center of Naze, and costs about 4,000 yen at any of the tours.
If you really want to be guided in English or Chinese, it will be expensive, but you can hire a guide who is fluent in your language at the following website.
Night Safari
This is an activity to explore the jungle at night in a fully open 4WD vehicle with a guide who is well versed in the ecology of living creatures.
Departing at sunset time and climbing up the mountain road, rare, precious, and humble nocturnal animals, such as the Amami wild black rabbit, will appear one after another.
Reservations can be made in English through the following website.
The following other companies also offer tours and are slightly cheaper. However, they do not offer tours in multiple languages, so just making a reservation can be a challenge.
The tour takes about 3 hours, includes pickup and drop-off at the center of Naze (why), and costs about 8,000 yen at any of the tours.
Sea Activities
The sea of Amami-Oshima boasts excellent transparency and is home to a wide variety of tropical fish and corals.
Enjoy the marine world with marine activities.
Pleasure Cruise
Underwater sightseeing boat Seto
A semi-submersible boat that makes a tour of the Oshima Strait, which connects the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea. All seats face a large window, allowing passengers to peer into the crystal clear waters and see colorful tropical fish and coral reefs consisting of more than 200 types of corals. The boat ride […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 1F Koniiya Fishing Port Terminal Building, 26-14 Koniya Ominato, Setouchi-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | - Bus : Amami Airport From Am[…] |
| Tel | 0997-72-1326 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Whale Watching
Amami Oshima Island is one of the top five whale watching spots in Japan.
The number of humpback whales confirmed on Amami Oshima in 2020 was approximately 1,000.
* By the way, in the case of whale-watching tours in Amami Oshima, the encounter rate with whales is more than 90%!
Humpback whales come to these waters from the distant Siberian Sea every year from January to April to raise their young, but the best season for whale-watching is from February to March.
In more detail, the number of whales that appear increases from mid-January and reaches its peak in late January.
In February, baby whales are born.
In early April, the number of whales gradually decreases.
The tour offers a high probability of seeing up-close performances such as the “breaching,” in which the Humpback whales, which can reach a maximum size of 15 meters, jump boldly, and the “blowing,” in which they blow the tide as high as 6 meters, as well as the parent and child swimming side by side in close proximity.
The fee for a half-day tour (about 3 hours) is 6,000 yen, and for a full-day tour (about 6 hours, including lunch) is about 13,000 yen.
There is also a course where you can swim with whales for an extra fee, but you must have a diving license.
Reservations can be made in English at the following website.
The following other companies also offer tours and are slightly cheaper. However, they do not offer tours in multiple languages, so just making a reservation can be a challenge.
Sea Sports
Reservations can be made in English through the following website.
The following companies also offer tours and are slightly cheaper.
However, many of them do not offer tours in multiple languages, so it is difficult just to make a reservation.
Scubad Diving
Snorkeling
Sea Kayaking
Surfing
Scubad Diving
Amami Oshima Island is surrounded by clear, coral-rich waters teeming with coral and tropical fish, making it possible to enjoy diving all year round.
The main dive sites are located on the East China Sea side in the north and the Pacific Ocean side (Oshima Kaikyo area) in the south.
It is good to encounter clownfish and sea turtles, which are famous in the Disney movie “Finding Nemo,” at a high rate.
The diving tour takes 3 to 5 hours and costs 12,000 to 16,000 yen.
Snorkeling
Recommended spots include the northern East China Sea side (Kurasaki, Sakibaru, and Uttabaru beaches), the northern Pacific side (Tomori Beach), and the southern Oshima Strait (Yadori Beach).
Depending on the location and timing, there is a high probability of encountering sea turtles.
If you have a snorkel, you can do it by yourself, but if you join a tour, it takes 2 to 3 hours and costs 6,000 to 12,000 yen.
Sea Kayaking
Sea kayakers can pass between rocks that boats cannot reach, land on beaches, and enjoy the freedom of the ocean.
Oshima Strait is the most popular spot.
The tour takes two to three hours and costs about 7,000 yen.
Surfing
Amami Oshima Island is a “holy land” for Japanese surfers.
This is because Amami Oshima is surrounded by the ocean on all sides, so there are always waves at some spots throughout the year, and the waves are often excellent.
The island is also said to be less crowded and the surfers are well mannered, so once you come here, you are sure to be a repeat visitor.
In summer, the surfing points are on the Pacific Ocean side, and from December to March, the beaches on the East China Sea side.
Tebiro Beach on the Pacific Ocean side in the north is the most famous, and Yadori Beach on the Oshima Strait in the south is also popular.
A small beginner’s school takes about two hours and costs between 8,000 and 12,000 yen.
Food
Amami cuisine is heavily influenced by Okinawa and Kagoshima, and is characterized by a sweet flavor using sweet miso, Japanese sago palm miso, and brown sugar.
To be honest, the level of taste is lower than in other parts of Japan.
Local Dishes
Keihan (seasoned chicken with rice and pickles)
A local dish representative of Amami Oshima.
It consists of thinly sliced boiled chicken meat, egg, radish, papaya, and other pickled vegetables on a bed of rice, topped with chicken broth.
Chicken rice was created about 400 years ago as a luxury dish to entertain officials of the Satsuma clan.
Originally a takikomi gohan-like dish, it was rearranged in 1946 to include ingredients on top of rice and topped with broth, and has since become the standard.
The following are typical chicken rice restaurants.
Ganso Keihan Minatoya
A long-established restaurant specializing in chicken rice established in 1946. It is marked by a large monument of a chicken in front of the restaurant. The restaurant’s first owner created the current style of chicken rice, which consists of rice topped with ingredients and served with chicken soup. The soup is made from whole local […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 81, Sotoganehisa, Oaza, Kasari-cho, Amami-shi, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | - Bus : From Amami Airport, t[…] |
| Tel | 0997-63-0023 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Keihan Hisakura
Large-scale poultry restaurant. It uses only high quality local chicken raised free-range and fattened on a nearby poultry farm under its direct management. In 2003, the restaurant became the talk of the town when the then Japanese emperor and his wife visited and dined at the restaurant. In addition to chicken rice, the restaurant also […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 516 ,Yanyu, Oshimagun Tatsugocho, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | - By bus Take a Shima Bus fro[…] |
| Tel | 0997-62-2988 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Tori Shin
Local-dish restaurant in Naze, the center of Amami Oshima. Chicken rice is delicious, but the menu also includes a wide range of other dishes. It is open from noon to late at night, making it convenient and useful.
[ See details ]
| Address | 12-6, Izubu-cho, Naze, Amami-shi, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | 8 min. walk from the center o[…] |
| Tel | 0997-53-6515 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Izakaya and local dish restaurants
Many izakaya and local restaurants on Amami Oshima offer only an “omakase” course.
The amount of food is very large, and you can order up to five drinks at your leisure for about 4,000 yen, which is quite reasonable.
Brown sugar shochu
Shochu is a traditional Japanese distilled spirit.
Brown sugar shochu is made from brown sugar made from local sugar cane and rice malt, and is produced through a process of fermentation and distillation.
Brown sugar shochu has a slightly sweet taste and is easy to drink, making it popular among the Japanese.
Typical brands include “Ryugu,” “Rento,” and “Satono Akebono.
Brown sugar shochu is a specialty of this area, and its production is permitted only in the Amami Islands in Japan.
About 20 breweries make their own unique products.
You can observe the production process at the following breweries.
Reservations are required.
Amami Oshima Shuzo
It is located in the town of Tatsugo in northern area.
[ See details ]
| Address | 1864-2, Ura, Oshimagun Tatsugocho, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 0997-62-3120 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Amami Oshima Kaiun Shuzo
It is located in Uken-son in the western area, quite far from the airport and Naze.
[ See details ]
| Address | 2924-2, Yuwan, Oshimagun Ukenson, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 080-8557-4497 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Tomita Shuzojo
Located in Naze, it is easily accessible, but costs 1,000 yen to visit.
[ See details ]
| Address | 7-8, Nazeirifunecho, Amami, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 0997-52-0043 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Machida Shuzo
Located in the town of Tatsugo in northern area.
[ See details ]
| Address | 3321, Ogachi, Oshimagun Tatsugocho, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 0120-099762 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
The shochu production process is mechanized and not very interesting to watch, but since this tour and shochu tasting (except at Tomita Shuzojo) are free, you have no right to complain.
Shopping
Since Amami Oshima is a remote island, shopping is naturally scarce.
All you can do is to buy souvenirs in town, at tourist spots, and at the airport.
Oshima Tsumugi Weave
The value of Oshima Tsumugi is unfairly undervalued when compared to Persian carpets and other products.
In fact, it is not as well known in the world, and its products are relatively inexpensive.
This is typical of Japan, which is good at making good products but poor at marketing.
The craftsmen on Amami Oshima are aging and there are not many young workers, so there is a possibility that Oshima tsumugi will disappear in the future.
If you have money and buy many Oshima silk kimonos while you can, the price will rise in 20 years or so, like paintings and other artworks, and you will make a lot of money.
Having said that, we don’t hold any responsiblity if you don’t make any money.
If you want to buy a new kimono, it is definitely cheaper to buy one in Amami Oshima, the place of production, than in other areas.
The following are the main stores.
Tsumugi Leather KASURI
[ See details ]
| Address | 3-16, Nazeminatomachi, Amami, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 0997-52-0030 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Tsumugi no Tokuyama
[ See details ]
| Address | 1-14, Nazesuehirocho, Amami, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 0997-52-4027 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Okitsumugi Kobo
[ See details ]
| Address | 812, Nakagachi, Oshimagun Tatsugocho, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 0997-62-2178 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
You can also buy them at the aforementioned “Amami Oshima Tsumugi Mura” and other workshops.
Gifts
BigII Amami Shop
This general merchandise store boasts the largest sales floor area on Amami Oshima, approximately 6,000 square meters. It carries almost everything, including food, clothing, general goods, and leisure goods. Inside the store, there is a large corner selling Amami and (for some reason) Okinawan souvenirs. The prices are not so cheap, but the selection is […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 580, Nakagachi, Oshimagun Tatsugocho, Kagoshima |
|---|---|
| Access | By bus - From Amami Airport, […] |
| Tel | 0997-55-4100 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
