Amami Oshima

奄美大島

Amami Oshima, with a circumference of about 461 km, is an island located around 389 km south of Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu. With the second largest mangrove forest in Japan, the island is home to a wide variety of species, including rare species and natural treasures such as the Amami rabbit and Amami jay (also known as Lidth's jay.) The island was registered as a World Natural Heritage site in July 2021, together with Tokunoshima, northern Okinawa, and Iriomote Island, in recognition of its diverse flora and fauna. The traditional culture of Amami Oshima includes shimauta (island songs) and hachigatsu odori (August dances), and its historic silk industry. The island also offers scenery and views that the islanders have cherished since ancient times.