Private Custom Island Tour of Amami with a Local Guide

The main feature is that there is no fixed route. You may choose places yourself or simply tell your guide what appeals to you—beautiful seas, quieter locations, photography, or the villages and daily life of Amami—and leave the route planning to them. Amami Oshima stretches a long way from north to south, and different areas may have very different scenery and weather on the same day. The itinerary is adjusted to driving time, weather, and sea and forest conditions.

Sample destinations
[Northern Amami]
• Two Seas Viewpoint: a spot where you can see both the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea across the island’s narrow landform.
• Crater Beach: a beach in Akaogi noted for its large, sweeping bay and calm seascape.
• Gamozaki Observatory: a broad view over the northern coastline and open sea.
• Ayamaru Cape Tourist Park: panoramic coral-reef waters and northern Amami coastal scenery.
• Amami Nature Observation Forest: trails and viewpoints for enjoying Amami’s forest, birds and plants.
• Amami Park and Tanaka Isson Memorial Museum: cultural venues exploring Amami’s nature, culture and the art of Tanaka Isson.
[West / Yamato Village]
• Materiya Falls: a waterfall surrounded by subtropical forest, with cool shade and the sound of flowing water.
• Kuninao Fukugi Tree Lane: a village street lined with fukugi trees planted as protection from wind and fire.
• Yamato Plum Soft Serve: a local sweet-and-tart ice cream made with plums grown in Yamato Village.
• Ohama Seaside Park: a coastal park known for blue water, white sand and sunsets over the East China Sea.
• Miyakozaki: one of Yamato Village’s signature viewpoints, with open grasslands and ocean scenery.
[Sumiyo]
• Amami Oshima World Heritage Center: exhibits on World Natural Heritage forests, endemic species and ecosystems.
• Kuroshio-no-Mori Mangrove Park: views of Sumiyo’s mangroves and the nature of brackish waterways.
• Native Modama Vine Habitat: a forest where giant-bean-bearing modama vines grow; see subtropical vegetation and the connection between water and woodland.
• Funangyo Falls: a Sumiyo waterfall where forest streams cascade, highlighting links between nature, community life and culture.
[Southern Amami]
• Totoro Bus Stop: a small bus-stop photo spot in a quiet island landscape.
• Manenzaki Observatory: views of the vividly colored water off Katetsu from higher ground.
• Heart-Shaped Bay Viewpoint: a spot where the bay appears heart-shaped when seen from above.
• Honohoshi Beach: a distinctive shore of rounded wave-polished stones that make sounds as waves recede.
• Kochiyama Observatory: a Setouchi viewpoint over the Oshima Strait and toward Kakeromajima Island.
• Yuidake Observatory: a hilltop view over the Oshima Strait and its intricate shoreline.
[Brown Sugar Shochu Distilleries]
• Yamada Shuzo: a brown sugar shochu distillery in Tatsugo; it produces styles including Amami Nagakumo.
• Yayoi Shuzo: an established distillery in Naze, Amami City, with brands including Yayoi and Mankoi.
Other places can also be discussed according to your interests.