Nature Activities on Amami Oshima | Explore Forests, Seas and Mangroves
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.
Nature Activities
August 14, 2026
Amami Experience Editorial Team
About 8 min read
自然 ｜ 2026.08.08 ｜ 奄美エクスペリエンス編集部 ｜ 3分
On Amami Oshima, you have time not only to admire nature, but also to immerse yourself in it.
We paddled through the mangroves in a canoe.
I walked slowly along the forest path.
I entered the sea and peered below the surface.
From the observation deck, you can see the forest and the bay.
Even on the same island, the scenery you see can change dramatically depending on where you stand and your eye level.
In the Amami Islands National Park, introduced by the Ministry of the Environment, a variety of nature experiences are offered on Amami Oshima, including mangrove canoeing, diving, and nature observation.
However, playing in abundant nature does not mean that you can freely enter anywhere and spend your time as you please.
There are different rules for use depending on the location, and conditions at sea change depending on the tides, waves, and wind.
And there, you'll find the lifestyles of creatures that have existed since before humans.
If you want to enjoy nature activities on Amami Oshima,
"What can we do?"
As much as,
"How to enjoy it"
This is something you should know.
On Amami Oshima, nature itself becomes the experience.
The appeal of experiencing nature on Amami Oshima lies in the fact that everything you want to do isn't confined to a single location.
There are mountains, forests, rivers, and beyond them, mangroves and the sea.
The Ministry of the Environment describes Amami Islands National Park as a natural landscape where diverse ecosystems, including subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests, mangroves, tidal flats, and coral reefs, are integrated.
Just look at the forest.
I only look at the sea.
You can also enjoy it in this way.
However, when you experience several different environments during your travels, you realize that they don't exist separately from one another.
As introduced in Article 1, "Amami's Nature and the Changing Seasons," one key to understanding Amami's nature is the connection between the forests, rivers, and sea.
Nature activities are also a way to feel that connection with nature through your body.
Mangroves | Viewing the forest from the water
One of the most representative nature experiences on Amami Oshima is canoeing through the mangroves.
The river mouth area in Sumiyo-cho, Amami City, has a large mangrove forest, and the Ministry of the Environment also introduces mangrove canoeing as a representative experience that can be enjoyed in Amami Islands National Park.
When you're in a canoe, your perspective changes from what you normally see.
As we get closer to the water's surface, mangroves stretch out on both sides.
Mountains are visible in the distance.
You can see nature from a different distance than when you viewed the forest from the road or observation deck.
The Ministry of the Environment has also introduced a program in Sumiyo where visitors can take a canoe tour with a guide to observe the plants and animals in the mangrove forest.
The goal isn't just to move quickly.
Stop paddling and look at the water's surface.
Listen to the sounds around you.
I look at the shapes of the trees.
Because you are moving around on your own, even the time you take to stop and observe becomes part of the nature experience.
Forest | Things you can only notice when walking
There's more to learning about the forests of Amami Oshima than just venturing deep into special places.
At the Amami Islands National Park Visitor Center Amami Nature Observation Forest in Tatsugo Town, walking trails are maintained, allowing visitors to stroll while observing Amami's endemic flora and fauna, and to enjoy views of Tatsugo Bay and the evergreen broadleaf forest from the observation deck.
When you walk through the forest, you start to notice things you would have overlooked while traveling by car.
Leaves at your feet.
Moss growing on the trunk of a tree.
The sound of birds can be heard in the distance.
Places where light shines and dark places.
The air is damp after the rain.
When you slow down to walking speed, the scenery ceases to be just "background."
On the other hand, you can't just walk around freely anywhere in the forests of Amami Oshima.
Depending on the location, there are usage rules in place for conservation purposes.
Therefore, before entering the forest, it's important to check not only "where you're going," but also "how the place will be used."
The sea | Viewing islands from underwater
On Amami Oshima, the sea is also a major stage for experiencing nature.
The Ministry of the Environment is promoting the fact that diving can be enjoyed in the waters around Amami Oshima, and that swimming, sea kayaking, and diving can be enjoyed in the Oshima Strait.
When you actually enter the sea that you've only seen from land, your impression of the island changes again.
The terrain that lies beneath the water's surface.
fish.
Coral.
Sunlight.
Even though it's the same blue ocean, the view from the shore is different from the view from underwater.
However, you cannot judge safety at sea solely by its apparent calmness.
The Amami Coast Guard is warning people about the dangers of the sea, including rip currents, high waves, venomous marine life, and areas where the water suddenly becomes deep. They also clearly advise against entering the sea after drinking alcohol and to keep a close eye on children.
Just because I could swim yesterday doesn't mean I'll be able to swim today.
The basic principle is to check the wind, waves, weather, and local information for the day, and not take unnecessary risks.
Nature experiences vary depending on the weather and conditions.
Nature activities don't always go according to plan.
rain.
Strong wind.
High waves.
Tidal conditions.
The ground conditions are deteriorating.
Depending on the natural conditions on the day, planned activities may be changed or canceled.
The Ministry of the Environment also urges visitors to take precautions against rain, landslides, high waves, strong currents, strong winds, and tidal changes when using Amami Islands National Park.
Perhaps you don't need to think of a change in plans as a "failure of the trip."
Adapting your activities to the natural environment is also part of the experience of traveling on an island.
As introduced in Article 2, "How to Spend Time on Amami Oshima," having some flexibility in your schedule, rather than filling it too much with appointments, makes it easier to adapt to these kinds of changes.
Learn about the different usage rules depending on the location.
In Amami Oshima, rules are sometimes in place for use in order to protect the natural environment.
A prime example is Kinsakuhara.
According to Kagoshima Prefecture's April 2026 update, those using the designated area of Kinsakubaru are required to be accompanied by an Amami Islands certified eco-tour guide. Restrictions are also in place on the number of tours, with the aim of reducing the burden on the natural environment, alleviating congestion, ensuring safety, and providing high-quality nature experiences. The scope of these rules was changed in June 2025.
The Ministry of the Environment also provides information on the rules for nighttime use around the Santaro Line on Amami Oshima Island and for use of Yuwan-dake Mountain.
What's important is,
"I was able to go before, so it'll be the same this time."
Don't think that way.
Rules for protecting nature may be reviewed depending on the state of the environment and how it is being used.
When planning a nature experience, be sure to check the latest official information.
That is also included in the preparation for the experience.
Things I want to protect in nature
Manners in nature aren't always difficult.
Leave no trash behind.
Do not pick plants.
Do not feed wild animals.
They do not catch insects or animals.
Do not get unnecessarily close to living creatures.
The Ministry of the Environment provides guidance on these basic manners in Amami Islands National Park.
In the ocean, people are also being urged not to damage living coral with fins or marine boots.
Furthermore, if you photograph a rare animal, you are asked not to carelessly disclose its location.
"I took a good picture."
"I found a rare creature."
That joy and protecting the lives of living creatures can coexist.
Don't get too close.
Don't touch it.
I won't take it home.
Don't make the space too large.
Sometimes, keeping a little distance can be a way of showing respect for nature.
The option of having a guide and experiencing it
Not all nature experiences on Amami Oshima require a guide.
You can stroll through well-maintained areas or enjoy nature in places with suitable conditions.
On the other hand, there are places like Kinsakuhara where you need to be accompanied by a guide.
Also, even if it's not required by the rules,
This is my first time entering this natural environment.
A difficult sea to judge.
A place to learn about living things.
When you want to learn about its connections to culture and daily life.
Spending time with someone who knows the area well can change the way you experience it.
The Ministry of the Environment's overall plan for promoting ecotourism in the Amami Islands also emphasizes the importance of people who can connect travelers with Amami's nature and culture in order to allow them to fully appreciate them.
As introduced in Article 4, "Walking around Amami Oshima with a Guide," a guide is not just someone who takes you to your destination.
It also offers another perspective for understanding the meaning of nature that lies before us.
It's not about what you do, but how you interact with nature.
You can have a variety of nature experiences on Amami Oshima.
We paddled through the mangroves in a canoe.
Walking through the forest.
I went into the sea.
Observe living things.
However, there's no need to compete to see how many experiences you can have in one day.
The amount of time spent standing still in the canoe, with the paddle stopped.
The time I spent searching for the sounds of birds in the forest.
I decided against going into the sea and spent time watching the waves from the shore.
I spent time looking at a single leaf while listening to the guide's explanation.
Even those small moments are part of experiencing nature.
Ecotourism in the Amami Islands is based on the principle of "protecting" and "utilizing" nature. The aim is to consider the preservation of the natural environment, the quality of the experiences, and the local way of life together.
Nature is not a place created for travelers.
I'll go in there for a little while.
We'll assess the situation at the location and change our plans if necessary.
Maintain distance from living creatures.
Learn the rules of the land.
And don't rush to consume what's in front of you.
Nature activities on Amami Oshima are
Not just what you experienced, but also how you spent time with nature.
It will help you remember your trip.
If you'd like to learn more about the experiences you can have on Amami Oshima, please also see " Learn more about the experiences you can have on Amami Oshima ."
