Enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest in an active way on Amami Oshima, the "Galapagos of the Orient"

In this article, we will introduce activities that will allow you to fully experience the great outdoors of Amami. If the current situation calms down and you feel like taking an exciting trip, why not cross the sea and head to Amami?

Text: Eiko Fukunaga

"Amami" the island of "Neriyakanaya"

Do you know what the word "Amami" refers to? Amami is not a single island, but a collective name for a group of islands located about 400 kilometers southwest of Kyushu, between the main island and Okinawa Prefecture. The islands include Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, and Yoronjima. A precious ecosystem remains, and the area has been designated as a national park.

The Amami Islands were known in ancient times as "Neriyakanaya." "Neriyakanaya" means "Paradise Beyond the Sea" in the Amami language. As the word suggests, everywhere in Amami you can encounter mystical landscapes that will make you feel like you're in a sixth sense.

Take a stroll through the ancient forest of Kinsakubaru

Also known as the "Galapagos of the Orient," Amami is covered in deep, dark forests that cover the entire island. A unique ecosystem has developed there, with creatures that have already become extinct in mainland Japan and most of the Eurasian continent remaining, as well as endemic species that have evolved into unique forms over a long period of time.

A recommended way to enjoy the unique scenery of Amami Oshima is to take a stroll through Kinsakubaru. Kinsakubaru is located about a 30-minute drive from Naze city, the center of Amami. The area is filled with subtropical trees, including 15-meter-tall ferns and giant trees over 100 years old, creating a landscape that resembles a tropical rainforest jungle.

Kinsakuhara, which has been used as a location for various movies, has an atmosphere that makes you feel like a dinosaur might appear at any moment. The forest is a treasure trove of rare plants such as the giant hawkweed and the hawkweed orchid, as well as rare creatures endemic to Amami Oshima, such as the Amami rabbit, the blue jay, butterflies, and frogs. Try to observe the creatures with your eyes.

You must be accompanied by a certified guide when exploring Kinsakuhara. Amami Oshima has established a system of "certified eco-tour guides" as part of its efforts to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to protecting rare plants and animals, you should follow the guidance of a certified eco-tour guide to ensure your safety.
Certified guides will give you detailed explanations about plants and animals, so you can learn more about the nature of Amami. You will also be told in advance what to wear, so feel free to join us.

Canoeing through the mangrove tunnels

Amami Oshima is home to mangrove forests that are rare even in Japan. A majestic mangrove forest spreads out over the mouth of Sumiyo Bay, which faces the Pacific Ocean, in a brackish water area where seawater and freshwater mix. The mangrove forest, which is also a special protected area of a national park, is also known as the "cradle of life" and is home to a wide variety of creatures.

The Mangrove Canoe Tour allows you to see this precious nature and wildlife up close. Because the mangrove forest is a special protected area, motorized boats are prohibited from navigating it, but you can get very close by by canoe.

First, check in at the Mangrove Hall inside the Sumiyo Roadside Station. It's about a 5-minute walk from the Mangrove Hall to the departure point. Before boarding, put on a life jacket and practice how to paddle the canoe following the instructor's instructions. After learning how to hold the paddle and swing it left and right, you'll then practice changing direction. It's best to get used to it with your body rather than thinking about it.

Once you've learned how to paddle, you'll board a canoe and head out into the mangrove forest. You'll have an instructor with you, so you can feel safe. The mangroves change appearance with the ebb and flow of the tides, and so will what you can see from the canoe.

At high tide, the mangrove channels fill with water, creating a tunnel-like scene. Canoeing through the mangrove tunnels, filled with countless trees, is sure to give you a sense of adventure.
At low tide, the tide goes out significantly, allowing you to see various shapes of mangrove roots and creatures such as crabs, so enjoy the difference between high and low tide.

The canoeing experience requires no strength to move forward while floating on the water, so it can be enjoyed by beginners, children, and even the elderly. There are single-seater and double-seater canoes, so it is recommended for parents and children or couples to participate together. Life jackets and sandals are provided, so you can participate empty-handed.

Experience SUP at Kuninao Beach, a famous sunset spot

If you want to enjoy the vast ocean of Amami, try "SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board)" at Kuninao Beach. Kuninao Beach, located on the west side of Amami Oshima, is a beautiful beach with white sand and relatively calm waves, making it the perfect spot to enjoy SUP.

Once you've climbed onto your SUP board, which is slightly larger than a surfboard, paddle out into the ocean. Start by kneeling and paddle forward, alternating between left and right, toward the crashing waves. After you've gone a while, put down the paddle and take a break. Enjoy the sensation of being rocked by the gentle waves. Standing up on the board will make you feel like you have the vast ocean all to yourself. Depending on the season and weather, the waves may get rough, but at those times, why not try "Surfing SUP," which lets you ride the waves like you would surfing.

A unique recommendation at Kuninao Beach is snorkel stand-up paddleboarding, where you put on a snorkel set and enjoy the underwater scenery. Take a good look at the coral reefs and tropical fish underwater through underwater goggles. The crystal clear waters of Amami, so beautiful that you can almost reach out and touch them, will unfold before your eyes. If you're lucky, you might even spot a sea turtle.

And the best thing about Kuninao Beach is the sunset. It's nice to watch the sunset from land, but on a SUP, you can feel one with the ocean as it takes on the colors of the setting sun. The romantic scenery of Amami is sure to become a lifelong memory. The best thing about Kuninao Beach is that you can enjoy SUP in a variety of ways. You'll definitely want to come back again and again.

Meet forest animals on a night tour

The forests of Amami are a treasure trove of rare plants and animals. If you want to experience their true nature, head out into the forest at night. Many of the animals in the forests of Amami are nocturnal, so night is the best chance to encounter them.

On the night tour, you will travel by 4WD into the subtropical primeval forest, where there is no artificial light at all. As you travel deeper and deeper into the pitch black jungle, off-roading in a world ruled by darkness, you will see a different side of the Amami forest than you would see during the day.

We would like you to try and find the Amami rabbit, a protected species. If you manage to find it, you will be truly lucky.

Amami rabbits only come out of their burrows at night. They are characterized by short ears and legs, and jet black fur that covers their entire body. Their plump appearance is as cute as something you'd see in a picture book, but they retain the primitive form of a rabbit, making them a rare species that is also known as a "living fossil." Also, since they have no natural predators, they don't jump or hop much like normal rabbits. There are only about 3,000 of them on Amami Oshima, and they are designated as an endangered species.

Not only the endangered Amami rabbit, but also the Amamiishikawa frog, Ryukyu kingfisher, and Ryukyu scops owl are creatures that are easier to observe at night. Let's search for animals that live in the jungle at night by relying on their calls and the sounds of the grass.

On the night tour, a nature guide will guide you through the Amami jungle, which is difficult to reach on your own. Since the tour is in a fully open vehicle with an open roof, you basically don't have to walk. You don't need to bring anything with you, so you can participate even at the last minute if you make a reservation.

If the weather is good, be sure to observe the starry sky. There are many days when the Milky Way's stars are clearly visible.

Amami, aptly named "Neriyakanaya," is home to a wealth of untouched nature. The greatest attraction of Amami is being able to encounter this nature and the creatures that live there.

If you want to fully enjoy the untouched nature of Amami, these activities are a must. Experience Amami with your whole body through a variety of experiences.

Photo provided and interview cooperation: Amami Islands Tourism and Products Association, Amami Tours, iRoad Co., Ltd. "Michikusa" Editorial Department