Sprawling across the centre of Amami Oshima, Amami serves as the main hub of the Amami archipelago. It’s renowned for its natural landscapes, including beautiful beaches and a virgin mangrove forest, as well as being home to museums exploring the cultural and artistic history of the Ryukyu Islands.
Things to do in Amami
Relax on picture-perfect Tomori Beach, considered one of the most beautiful stretches of sand on Amami Oshima. Swim in the crystal-clear waters and join a snorkelling or scuba diving excursion to explore the colourful offshore reefs.
Delve into the cultural heritage of the archipelago at the Amami City History Folk Museum, which is themed around the “Footprint of the Kuroshio Current”. It explores the cultural exchange between the southern islands and mainland Kyushu through archaeological finds, old fishing gear and traditional folk artefacts.
Art enthusiasts should visit the Tanaka Isson Memorial Museum, which celebrates the life and work of this famous local Nihonga painter. Admire his famous flower-and-bird paintings of the Amami Islands and discover how his work was used to commemorate the reversion of the archipelago to Japanese control.
On the southern side of Amami Oshima is the Mangrove Primeval Forest, Japan’s second largest tract of virgin mangrove forest. Join a guided kayaking tour to discover the beauty of this natural landscape featuring black mangroves, looking-glass mangroves and a vast range of native bird species.
Getting around Amami
Amami Airport is located in the north-east region of the island and has regular connections to Tokyo, Osaka and Naha in the Okinawa Islands. Ferries connect Amami Oshima with other islands in the archipelago and buses travel around the main island.