奄美を知る、読みもの

There is more to Amami Oshima than its seas and forests. Find experiences that suit you, from nature and culture to island life and encounters with local people.

Forests, seas, villages, food, festivals, and crafts. Explore the connections between nature and everyday life through Amami’s concept of environmental culture.

Harvest festivals, Hachigatsu Odori, Arasetsu, Hamaore, and Tanioroshi. Explore the festivals and annual traditions passed down in local communities across Amami Oshima’s five municipalities and nearby islands.

What kind of island is Amami Oshima? Get to know its location, nature, climate, ties with Ryukyu and Satsuma, history leading to its return to Japan, traditional shimauta songs, Oshima Tsumugi textiles, and everyday life in local communities before your trip.

Walk through the forest, canoe among mangroves, and discover life beneath the sea. Explore ways to enjoy Amami Oshima’s nature, with an introduction to safety and care for the environment before you set out.

Shimauta songs carry Amami’s language and ways of life across generations, while Hachigatsu Odori brings communities together to sing and dance in a circle. Discover the culture and human connections behind the sounds of Amami Oshima.

Even in the same forest, by the same sea, or in the same village, exploring with someone who knows the land can reveal something new. Discover what spending time with a guide on Amami Oshima can mean through connections with nature, culture, and people.

Discover keihan, one of Amami’s best-known local dishes, and the culture of hospitality in a single bowl. From abura somen noodles to tonkotsu yasai, explore the connections between island life and food.

Travel beyond the sights and get a little closer to everyday life on Amami Oshima. Explore the landscapes of local communities, known as shima, and their relationship with nature to discover ways to experience the island.

Subtropical forests, coral reef seas, mangroves, and rain. Explore Amami Oshima’s natural landscapes as the seasons and weather transform them throughout the year.