[Amami Oshima Model Course] 2022 Latest Info! Full Enjoyment without a Rental Car

Popular Tourist Spots by Region

Northern Area (Airport vicinity, Kasari Town, and Tatsugo Town)

There are several tourist spots along the eastern coast, close to the airport.

The scenic beach "Ayamaru Cape" is a popular spot selected as one of the Amami's top ten scenic spots. It's recommended to visit the charming "Mishoran Cafe" located about a 10-minute climb uphill from the cape.

"Amami Park" is a large exhibition facility where you can learn about the Amami Islands. It houses the "Tanaka Ichimura Memorial Museum," representing Amami's art, and is a facility that can be enjoyed even on rainy days.

"Heart Rock" is a well-known power spot, with tidal pools naturally forming a heart shape. It's best to go during low tide.

On the way to Tatsugo Town from Heart Rock, you'll find "Hisakura," renowned for its local dish, chicken rice. The Red Tail Lodge and Hotel Carecatta, popular resort hotels, are concentrated along the Akao Bay in Tatsugo Town.

Central Area (Naze and Sumiyoh Town)

Naze, the largest town on Amami Oshima, has numerous facilities related to art and culture, such as the Amami Museum and Tanaka Ichimura's Last Residence, along with many izakayas (Japanese-style pubs). In the central area, you can also experience the pristine jungle of Kinsakubaru Primeval Forest and mangrove forests, where you might feel like stepping into the world of Jurassic Park. Some areas may require guided tours, but there are tours with pick-up service from Naze, so be sure to check them out.

With Mangrove Canoeing, you'll be mesmerized by the mangrove tunnel during high tide and can enjoy observing unique creatures during low tide. There's also a fully reserved night tour where you can spot the Amami Rabbit. Additionally, the easily accessible Ohama Beach Park from Naze city center is a popular local beach known for its stunning sunset over the East China Sea.

Southern Area (Uken Village and Setouchi Town)

"Hoshihoshi Beach" in Setouchi Town is a unique beach where round pebbles eroded by rough waves create a distinctive rolling sound. It gained attention by frequently appearing in the TV drama "Heaven and Hell: Two People with Psycho" starring Haruka Ayase in 2021.

The southern area is famous for marine sports and fishing, and the underwater sightseeing boat "Marine Viewer Seto" operates in Setouchi Town. There's also a ferry from Furunoya to neighboring Kakeromajima Island, allowing you to participate in activities on Kakeromajima Island for a day trip. It takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus from Naze to reach the southern area, so it's recommended to plan your travels accordingly.

Efficient Sightseeing without a Rental Car

Make the most of activity transfers!

Some local tours offer free shuttle services from Naze city center, Kasari Town, and the airport. The popular Kinsakubaru Primeval Forest Tour includes several options with pick-up service from Naze, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, advance reservations are necessary, as spots are limited.

Snorkeling and diving with sea turtles are often done at points in the northern area, and many shops provide shuttle services from Kasari Town and Tatsugo Town. Also, buses run to large settlements like Akakina and Akao-gi, which are often designated as meeting points and are close to fishing ports. By combining regular bus routes with shuttle services, you can fully enjoy Amami sightseeing.

Master the Shima Bus!

The Shima Bus is the local bus service operating within Amami Oshima. Tourists commonly use three main bus routes:

1. Airport Line: Connects various destinations from the airport.
2. Furunoya Line: Heads to the southernmost Setouchi Town.
3. Tatsugo Town Line: Covers a small area between Naze city and Tatsugo Town.

Buses from the airport to Naze city run approximately every 30 minutes. Naze city has many bus stops and smaller routes, including the West Court Amami Hotel stop, making it convenient for exploring. There's also a bus heading to Setouchi Town about every 1 hour and 30 minutes, so make sure to check the schedule when planning your stay. You can purchase a 1-day, 3-day, or 5-day unlimited bus pass (Free Pass) at the Shima Bus headquarters in Naze or at Setouchi Umi no Eki. Alternatively, you can pre-purchase them through the "Bus Mori" app.

Conquer the highlights with island sightseeing tours!

Amami Oshima used to lack sightseeing buses, but starting from May to September 2022, weekend-only island sightseeing bus tours will be available. These tours cover all major attractions from north to south, and you can conveniently board and disembark at the airport to align with Peach Air's arrivals and departures from Tokyo.

• One-Day Tour: Naze → Heart Rock → Ayamaru Cape → Amami Park → Mangrove Canoeing → Honohoshi Beach → Naze
• Morning Tour: Naze → Heart Rock → Ayamaru Cape → Amami Park → Airport
• Afternoon Tour: Airport → Mangrove Canoeing → Honohoshi Beach → Naze

Model Course without a Rental Car

For a 2-night, 3-day stay:

If you have limited time, it's convenient to stay in Naze city, which makes moving around easier.

Day 1: After arriving by plane, join the UNESCO World Heritage Kinsakubaru Tour, which offers convenient shuttle service.

Day 2: Morning: Enjoy snorkeling or diving. Afternoon: Explore Naze city and have dinner at a local folk song izakaya.

Day 3: Use a bus tour to visit Heart Rock, Ayamaru Cape, and Amami Park, then head directly to the airport.

For a 3-night, 4-day stay:

With 3 nights, you can extend your trip to the mangrove forest, making it highly recommended.

Resort hotels and vacation stays in Kasari Town and Tatsugo Town offer beachfront enjoyment.

Day 1: Arrive and take a local bus to the hotel. Relax at the beach in front of the hotel.

Day 2: Use a full-day bus tour to explore Heart Rock, Ayamaru Cape, Amami Park, Mangrove Canoeing, and Honohoshi Beach. Have dinner at an izakaya in Naze and return to the hotel by taxi or bus.

Day 3: Enjoy a leisurely morning at the beach or the hotel's seaside. Take a local bus to Naze, then participate in the Crow-sagi Exploration Night Tour.

Day 4: In the morning, join a sea turtle snorkeling tour or experience wearing Oshima Tsumugi silk or mud dyeing. Take a local bus directly to the airport.

Amami Oshima: Plenty of Fun Without a Rental Car

With its UNESCO World Heritage designation, Amami Oshima has been attracting increasing attention, and solo travelers are also on the rise. The new island bus tours starting in May 2022 are a fantastic option to conquer the breathtaking spots in the northern and central areas that were previously difficult to access without a rental car.

Activities with shuttle service can fill up quickly, so it's best to plan ahead and enjoy the untouched nature as much as possible.

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