A thorough explanation of the ferry situation on Amami Oshima Island! How to get to Kakaroma Island and other nearby islands!

Know before you travel!
Ferry service between Amami Oshima and surrounding islands

Amami Oshima Island is located halfway between Kagoshima Prefecture and the main island of Okinawa,Second largest of Japan's remote islandsThe island boasts a

world natural heritage siteAmami Oshima Island, which is registered in the "Amami Nature Reserve", is popular for its mangroves, endangered species of flora and fauna, and beautiful coral reefs, providing an opportunity to enjoy nature in a way that is difficult to experience in everyday life.

Amami Oshima Island is surrounded by8 inhabited islandsand all of them together areAmami IslandsIt is called

In this issue, we would like to introduce you to the ferries that provide transportation between Amami Oshima and the surrounding islands, as well as the outlying islands around Amami Oshima.

 

Ferry information on Amami Oshima Island
Port 1] Naze Port

Nase Port, located on the northwest coast of Amami Oshima, has long flourished as a trading port and has served as an important transportation and cultural hub.

Approximately 45 minutes by car from Amami AirportIt is located about 5 minutes by car from Amami city center, and there is a family restaurant nearby, so it is not difficult to wait for the ferry.

There are also shopping areas and stores in the vicinity, making it an ideal place to stop by for a few souvenirs on the way home.

 

Ferry information on Amami Oshima Island
Port 2] Koniya Port

Amami Oshimasouthern partKoniya Port is located atFrom Amami AirportApproximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by carThe port is located about 2 hours and 15 minutes by bus.

In addition to the "Ferry Kakeroma," several other types of ferries depart from Koniya Port, and the ferry you use depends on your destination and plans.

Also, not only ferries for travel to remote islands,coral reefand ... andtropical fishThe semi-submersible "Underwater Sightseeing Boat Seto" is also available, which allows you to observe the Amami Oshima Sea up close.

There are also restaurants nearby that serve seafood and local cuisine, so you can enjoy the delicacies of Amami Oshima while waiting for the ferry at Koniya Port!

 

Parking situation around the ferry terminal

There is a facility called "Nase Shinko Passenger Waiting Area" at Nase Port, and a flat parking lot for cars is located in the vicinity. There is no charge for this service, so it is recommended to use it when traveling to other islands.

Various parking lots are also available at Koniya Port, including the "Koniya Waiting Area," so you can come to the port by car.

Thus, on Amami Oshima, parking lots are provided around the port, so there is no inconvenience in traveling by car.

Although it is possible to move each car by ferry, in recent years more and more car rental companies have prohibited the movement of cars to other islands. Therefore, please follow the rules and enjoy sightseeing while utilizing the parking lots around the harbor.

Make your car rental reservations early!
Click here for popular car rental plans in Amami Oshima

 

Introducing 5 remote islands that can be reached from Amami Oshima!

By utilizing the ferry from Amami Oshima, visitors can enjoy sightseeing in the surrounding outlying islands.

Each island in the Amami archipelago has its own characteristics and charms. Therefore, visitors to Amami Oshima are encouraged to visit islands other than the main island to fully enjoy the charms of each island.

From here, we will focus on five remote islands in the Amami archipelago and introduce the attractions of each island.

 

Remote islands that can be reached from Amami Oshima
(1) Kakeroma Island

Kakaroma Island is the most easily accessible by ferry from the main island of Amami Oshima.Koninoya PortBy ferry fromApprox. 25 min.You can access the site at

The population is about 1,000,Location of the movie "Otoko wa TsuraiyoIt is also famous as a tourist spot that attracts many tourists every year.

The surrounding ocean is a clear bright blue color, and the sea is filled with colorful fish and coral reefs.

Because of this environment, marine activities are plentiful, especiallydivingand ... andsnorkeling, ,sea kayakare very popular.

In addition to the ocean, there are numerous tourist attractions on the island.

For example, the Utirimizunu waterfall, called "Kairi WaterfallThe "The Falls of the Falls". The fall of the waterfall is15 metersThe water cascades down the rock face, not into a waterfall basin, and although it is a thin stream, it isA powerful viewcan be enjoyed.

The ruins of the Shinyo-tai base, which still bears the scars of the war, is another place that many people visit as a place where they can get a glimpse of World War II. Therefore, you can enjoy not only the beautiful scenery but also the formerA place to learn about Japanese historyIt is also known as

There are also numerous other tourist destinations, so we recommend that those interested in Kakaroma Island do further research by referring to the article below.

↓Learn more about Kakaroma Island

↓Kakeroma Island! Click here for recommended tours.

 

Remote islands that can be reached from Amami Oshima
(2) Kikai Island

From Nase PortApproximately by ferry2 hoursFrom Amami AirportApproximately 20 minutes by plane.Kikai Island can be accessed by

Most of the islandraised coral reefThe island is made up of a unique and very precious material, which is unique in the world.It is also a popular health food rich in vitamins and minerals.Japan's largest producer of white sesame seedsOr so I've heard!

A single road in the sugar cane fields that goes on for about 2,5 kilometers.Sugar Road, also known as "the road leading to the East China Sea," is a popular film and television location.

One of the largest butterflies in Japan, the giant tiger butterflyis the northern limit of its habitat on Kikai Island, and is protected by town ordinance, making it a valuable species.

 

Remote islands that can be reached from Amami Oshima
Tokunoshima

Tokunoshima Island can be reached in about 3 hours and 30 minutes from Naze Port. The island is particularly pristine, with much untouched nature, and is home to many rare plants and animals.

In Tokunoshima, it has been practiced for about 500 years since the time of the feudal government.bullfightis well-known for its

The bulls clash with each other, and the back-and-forth battle between the two large bulls, with the locals and tourists cheering them on in unison, is a very powerful sight! Bullfighting is a very rare experience, as it is not often seen in daily life.

Tokunoshima is famous not only for its tourist attractions but also for its gourmet food.

Made from the island's famous sugarcane and rice winebrown sugar shochuis a rare sake produced only in the Amami Islands. It has a slightly sweet taste and the characteristic flavor of sugarcane.

Tokunoshima offers beautiful scenery, fun events, and delicious food.

↓Learn more about Tokunoshima

 

Remote islands that can be reached from Amami Oshima
Yoron Island

than Amami Oshima.Actually, it is close to the main island of Okinawa.One of the Amami Islands is Yoron Island. It takes about 8 hours by ferry from Nase Port, but from Okinawa Port it takes about 5 hours.

The sea around Yoron Island is "Yolon BlueThe cobalt blue color is so vivid and beautiful that many people come to the area to enjoy marine activities in this beautiful sea.

The most famous on Yoron Island,lily-of-the-valley beachIt is.

Yurigahama Beach is a beach that appears off the coast of Daikaneku Beach on the east side of the island during the spring and summer due to the ebb and flow of the tide.Phantom sand beachThe island is a popular destination for tourists. The pure white sandy beaches and the beautiful sea surrounding them are characteristic of the area, and many tourists are captivated by them.

The sand on the beach here is star-shaped, and it is said that if you pick up enough sand for your age, you will be happy.

Chabana Beach has a sister city relationship with Amami Oshima.Architecture modeled after the Greek island of MykonosThere are numerous

Reliefs carved with Greek mythological patterns, whitewashed buildings, and Greek-like cityscapes, all of which can be seen even though you are in Japan.vacation abroadYou will feel as if you are doing

If you are interested in Yoron Island, please refer to the following article to plan your visit, as there are numerous other places of interest.

↓More about Yoron Island

 

Remote islands that can be reached from Amami Oshima
5) Okinoerabu Island

Okinoerabu Island, located between Tokunoshima and Yoron Island, is an island so beautifully preserved that it is called a paradise of unexplored land.

It is accessible from Nase Port in over 7 hours and from Kouniya Port in less than 5 hours.

Okinoerabu Island is very rare.uplifted coral reefIt is an island formed by the "Kohima" (the island of the sea), and is characterized by its unique shape.

In recent years, the area has been used as a filming location for many dramas and movies due to its natural beauty.

In addition, the schoolyard of Kunigami Elementary School in Wadomari Town on Okinoerabu Island is,Japan's largest banyan treeIt is famous for having

It was planted by the first students in 1898 and has now grown into a large tree with a trunk circumference of 8 meters and branch circumference of 22 meters.

Today, it is designated by the town of Wadomari.natural monumentIt is a symbol of the island that watches over the local people. In addition to nature, Okinoerabu Island is also characterized by its healing spots.

Thalasso Okinoerabu, located 10 minutes by car from Wadomari Port, utilizes seawater pumped up from underground to create an authenticThalassotherapy (Marine Therapy)You can enjoy the

When you visit the area for sightseeing, not only will you be able to heal your mind in nature, but you will also be able to enjoy sightseeing even more by healing your body at these facilities.

Okinoerabu Island is an area where Ryukyuan and Satsuma cultures are mixed, thus forming a unique culture.

 

Rental cars are recommended for transportation within Amami Oshima Island.

As for getting to the ferry terminal, we recommend renting a car to get around the island, as Nase Port in the city and Koniya Port in the southern part of the island are quite a distance from each other.

You can travel comfortably even if you have a lot of luggage and there is a parking lot near the port. If you make use of a rental car, your trip will be a comfortable one.

↓Learn more about car rentals

 

summary

In this issue, we have introduced ferries, which are the means of transportation between Amami Oshima and the surrounding islands, as well as the surrounding islands.

The culture and scenery of the Amami Islands differ greatly from island to island, so you will be able to discover and enjoy a variety of things on every island you visit.

In addition, although it takes time to travel to remote islands, the nearest islands can be reached in less than 30 minutes.

Therefore, you should be able to enjoy sightseeing on another island for only one day of your stay on Amami Oshima!

Please research the attractions and travel time of each island in advance and plan accordingly to make the best of your trip.

Thank you for taking the time to read this to the end.

↓Click here to read the article.