A series of islands where a wide variety of endemic and rare species co-exist
Amami
・
Okinawa
Your
Trip
Charm of Amami・Okinawa
The small island chain that forms in the south of the Japanese archipelago is thought to have originally been part of the Eurasian Continent some 12 million years ago. As a result, the diverse flora and fauna that originated from the continent have followed a unique evolutionary path, and can still be found on the islands today. Amami Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, the northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island (Amami and Okinawa) have a particularly unique ecosystem and are teeming with rare species, and this area was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 2021. Due to the presence of dangerous creatures in nature, such as the habu snakes, it is important to travel with a tour guide who is well accustomed to local etiquette and the natural environment. When entering natural surroundings in the area, it is recommended that you wear long sleeves, long pants, and boots or sneakers. In addition, visitors are asked not to randomly pick plants, catch animals, or bring plant seeds or animals from outside the island. Even the smallest changes could break chains in nature and cause major environmental impacts. Trekking is a great way to get up close and personal with the diverse flora and fauna present. Experience a dynamic sense of nature with the Kinsakubaru Forest and Native Mangrove Forest on Amami Oshima Island, and the expansive Yanbaru Forest in the northern part of Okinawa Island. Some of the valuable endemic animal species found in this region are nocturnal in nature. Night tours under a starry sky are also provided on Tokunoshima Island and Iriomote Island. Why not experience the many flavors of Amami and Okinawa by going trekking by day, and taking a night tour after the sun goes down?
Special Contents
We will introduce the story of each world natural heritage from various themes.
Select the theme you are interested in.
- Trekking / hiking
- Traditional food / local cuisine
- Activities of the four seasons
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Amami・Okinawa
Go trekking in Kinsakubaru Forest on Amami Oshima and encounter rare plants and animals
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Amami・Okinawa
The local foods of Amami and Okinawa: Loved by the community and passed down through generations
Don’t Miss It
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Kakeroma Island
This is a secluded island found at the south of Amami-Oshima Island. This island is home to sandy white beaches, blue seas, and rich nature. Kakeroma Island is a great place to try your hand at activities such as snorkeling through beautiful clear waters, exploring deserted islands, or just kicking back and relaxing while gazing up at the starry sky above.
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Bull sumo
Bull sumo is a Tokunoshima Island custom that dates back some 400 years. While the intensity of the bullfighting competitions is something to behold, there is also a cuter side to bull sumo. Visitors have the chance to feed the bulls, and pet and brush their hair, much to their delight.
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Night tour
The Amami-Oshima and Tokunoshima Island night tour offers the chance to come across the rare animals, including the Amami rabbit, a Special Natural Monument, the Amami woodcock and other wild birds, and a wide variety of frogs. Be on the look out for rare flora and fauna with an experienced eco tour guide.
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Mangrove Forest in Gesashi Bay
Explore the Mangrove Forest in Gesashi Bay, a designated National Natural Monument, by kayak while taking in views of flora and fauna only found in brackish water surroundings.
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Daisekirinzan
The world’s northernmost tropical karst landform, formed from limestone some 200 million years ago. Come to experience arresting views of nature in all its splendor.
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Hoshizuna Beach
As the name suggests, Hoshizuna Beach (literally Star Sand Beach) is home to grains of sand in the shape of a star. This star-shaped sand is formed by foraminiferal shells, and are not to be missed.
Check the Activities
How to go and Where to stay
Access
Traveling from major cities around Japan
- From Sapporo
- From Tokyo
- From Nagoya
- From Osaka
- From Fukuoka
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New Chitose Airport
By air 1 hour 40 min
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Haneda Airport
By air 2 hours 30 min
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Amami Airport / Amami-Oshima
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New Chitose Airport
By air 1 hour 40 min
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Haneda Airport
By air 2 hours 30 min
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Amami Airport
By air 30 min
orBy sea 3 hours 20 min
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Tokunoshima Island
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New Chitose Airport
By air 1 hour 40 min
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Haneda Airport
By air 2 hours 30 min
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Naha Airport
By car 2 hours 30 min
orBy bus 2 hours 30 min
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Northern Okinawa
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New Chitose Airport
By air 1 hour 40 min
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Haneda Airport or Narita Airport
By air 3 hours
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New Ishigaki Airport
By bus 30 min
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Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal
By sea 40 min
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Iriomote Island
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Haneda Airport or Narita Airport
By air 2 hours 30 min
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Amami Airport / Amami-Oshima
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Haneda Airport or Narita Airport
By air 2 hours 30 min
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Amami Airport
By air 30 min
orBy sea 3 hours 20 min
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Tokunoshima Island
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Haneda Airport or Narita Airport
By air 2 hours 30 min
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Naha Airport
By car 2 hours 30 min
orBy bus 2 hours 30 min
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Northern Okinawa
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Haneda Airport or Narita Airport
By air 3 hours
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New Ishigaki Airport
By bus 30 min
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Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal
By sea 40 min
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Iriomote Island
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Chubu Centrair International Airport
By air 1 hour 30 min
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Kagoshima Airport
By air 1 hour
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Amami Airport / Amami-Oshima
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Chubu Centrair International Airport
By air 1 hour 30 min
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Kagoshima Airport
By air 1 hour
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Tokunoshima Island Airport / Tokunoshima Island
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Chubu Centrair International Airport
By air 2 hours 10 min
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Naha Airport
By car 2 hours 30 min
orBy bus 2 hours 30 min
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Northern Okinawa
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Chubu Centrair International Airport
By air 2 hours 30 min
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New Ishigaki Airport
By bus 30 min
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Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal
By sea 40 min
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Iriomote Island
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Itami Airport or Kansai International Airport
By air 1 hour 50 min
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Amami Airport / Amami-Oshima
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Itami Airport or Kansai International Airport
By air 1 hour 15 min
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Kagoshima Airport
By air 1 hour
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Tokunoshima Island
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Itami Airport or Kansai International Airport
By air 2 hours
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Naha Airport
By car 2 hours 30 min
orBy bus 2 hours 30 min
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Northern Okinawa
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Itami Airport or Kansai International Airport
By air 3 hours 20 min
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New Ishigaki Airport
By bus 30 min
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Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal
By sea 40 min
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Iriomote Island
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Fukuoka Airport
By air 1 hour 15 min
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Amami Airport / Amami-Oshima
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Fukuoka Airport
By air 50 min
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Kagoshima Airport
By air 1 hour
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Tokunoshima Island
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Fukuoka Airport
By air 1 hour 40 min
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Naha Airport
By car 2 hours 30 min
orBy bus 2 hours 30 min
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Northern Okinawa
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Fukuoka Airport
By air 2 hours
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New Ishigaki Airport
By bus 30 min
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Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal
By sea 40 min
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Iriomote Island
Accommodations
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Amami Oshina Resort Bashayamamura
10 min. drive from Amami Airport. The closest hotel to the Yoan Beach. Enjoy succulent shrimp and local cuisine at the restaurant.
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Petit Resort Native Sea Amami
The closest accommodations to the Kurasaki Beach, renowned for its glistening blue sea. A favored choice for many for its baths, and its terraces with ocean views from any room.
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Amami Yagijima HOTEL
A hotel that stands on Yagijima Island, a remote island connected by bridge. This relaxing hotel features a large bathing area with grand views overlooking Naze Bay.
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HOTEL LEXTON TOKUNOSHIMA
Located in the center of Tokunoshima-cho and just three minutes by car from Kametsu Port. The corner rooms with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean are particularly popular.
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ADA GARDEN HOTEL OKINAWA
A resort hotel at the northernmost tip of Okinawa in Yanbaru National Park.
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Hoshino Resorts Iriomote Hotel
Situated in Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, the hotel aims to become Japan’s first eco-tourism resort.
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JUNGLE HOTEL Painu Maya
An accommodation facility that leaves visitors with a first-hand sense of the nature’s wonders of the island, and of the importance of preserving it.
Book The Trip
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Activity(Amami-Oshima)
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Activity(Iriomote Island)
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Activity(Yanbaru)
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Activity(Amami-Oshima)
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Activity(Iriomote Island)
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Activity(Yanbaru)
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Accommodation(Amami)
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Accommodation(Kumigami)
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Accommodation(Iriomote Island)
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Accommodation(Amami)
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Accommodation(Kumigami)
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Accommodation(Iriomote Island)
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Tour(Amami-Oshima)
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Tour(Iriomote Island)
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Tour(Northern part of Okinawa Island)
Links
- "Experience Tour Exhibitions on the Amami Islands" Official Website
- Amami Archipelago Tourism and Products Association Official Website “Gunto Amami”
- Toki wo Tsumugu, Irodori no Shima (Islands of Color, Weaving through Time) Amami x Okinawa
- Kunigami Village Tourism Association
- Higashi Village Tourism Promotion Council
- Ogimi Village Tourism Association
- Taketomi Town Tourism Association