Many people who sign up to the Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group and email list express an interest to ‘get off the beaten track’ for their Japan trip. In reality, most first-time visitors to Japan stick closely to the Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima route and never really attempt to explore a less touristy part of Japan.
A great option to see a part of Japan which has significantly less tourists is to visit a more remote location such as the Amami Islands which are detailed below.
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Where are the Amami Islands
The Amami Islands are a truly ‘off the beaten tourist track’ destination. They are located to the southern side of Japan, approximately halfway from Kagoshima (at the southern tip of Kyushu Island) and Okinawa. The Amami Islands consists of eight small inhabited islands. From north to south, the Amami Islands are as follows:
- Amami-Oshima (the northern-most island about 380km [236 miles] south-west of Kagoshima);
- Kakeroma-jima;
- Uke-jima;
- Yoro-jima;
- Kikai-jima;
- Tokunoshima;
- Okinoerabu-jima (about 530km [330 miles] south of Kagoshima or about 60km [37 miles] north of Okinawa); and
- Yoron (the southern-most island and closest to Okinawa).
The total population of the Amami Islands was around 120 000 people as at 2008, with about 73 000 of these people being on the main island – Amami-Oshima.
Amami Islands – Climate
The Amami Islands are on the northern edge of the subtropical zone and share a similar subtropical climate with their neighbor Okinawa. The hottest month is August during which the average maximum temperature is 29°C (84°F). The coolest month is January when the average maximum temperature is 17°C (63°F).
Sunset in Amami Islands in JapanAmami Islands – Natural Beauty
The Amami Islands unique ecosystems and biodiversity are part of the reason why the Japanese government are seeking to add the Amami-Okinawa islands to the UNESCO world heritage register.
The islands have numerous endangered species and Amami Oshima has the second largest mangrove forest in Japan. Omami Oshima is also blessed with abundant forests and plenty of spectacular beaches. Oshima Strait is a great place to dive with one of the largest coral reefs in the world located in water of exceptional clarity.
Okinoerabu-jima has about 300 limestone caves, with the 3.5km (2.2 miles) long Shoryu Cave said to be the largest in East Asia. 600 metres (0.4 miles) of the Shoryu cave is accessible for sightseeing. Yoron Island is home to Yurigahama Beach which has pure white star-shaped grains of sand.
Amami – Culture, Food, Art
The local culture, food and art of Amami are quite distinctive, making Amami unique within Japan. Historically, the Amami Islands were part of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Its present culture reflects a mix of mainland Japan and its Ryukyuan heritage. The Amami Islands offers a wide range of unique local foods including treats made from brown sugar, a local spirit called kokuto shochu (made from brown sugar and rice koji) and a chicken and rice dish called ‘keihan’. Amami Oshima is also known for its local textiles and fabrics as well as its folk songs.
The lack of intensive foreign influence throughout the centuries (as was also the case with Okinawa) and the jungle-covered mountainous landscape are some of the reasons why Amami Islands are often considered a hidden paradise. They share the name ‘Galapagos of Japan’ with the Ogasawara Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Going to the Beach in Amami Islands in JapanVisit the Amami Islands
Voyagin is offering a great 3-day 2-night package tour to Amami Island which includes accommodation in a traditional Den-Paku House with modern amenities, a private guide and vehicle to explore the island, some meals and a great range of outdoor and cultural activities. This package is a special promotional deal which starts from $US 1381 per person for a party of 4, or $US 1550 per person for a party of 2.
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Flights to Amami are not included in this package, but can be separately booked with JAL or Vanilla Air from Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Kagoshima or Okinawa. Click here to see the flight options and airfares to Amami Island. As an example, you can fly direct from Tokyo to Amami Island with Vanilla Airline for $US 379 return – the flying time is 2:40 hrs each way.
For more information about the Amami Islands check out the following articles:
- Amami Islands Weather
- Amami Islands Travel Guide
- Amami Islands and Okinawa Bid for World Heritage Status
- Kagoshima Official Tourism Website
- Amami Islands Overview
Join the Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group
You are also welcome to join our Japan Travel Planning Facebook Group – it is a great resource to enable you be inspired and to ask questions about your upcoming trip to Japan!
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you book after clicking on one of these links then we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
