Amami-Oshima ... a nature activities island

Visiting the Amami-Oshima World Heritage Conservation Center located near the second largest mangrove forest in Japan gives a comprehensive introduction of the subtropical islands nature - forests and plants - and animals.

   

As Amami-Oshima is the second largest island in the Ryukyus, I decided to explore the island by rental car. There is a good public bus system, but as a one-time exception, the flexibility a car offers made it more convenient to enjoy the nicely arranged 'bucket-list' by Ryuko: mangrove canoeing, mud cloth-dyeing and subtropical native forest hiking.

The authentic Amami-Oshima TSUMUGI high-quality silk fabrics are handcrafted with a lot of work, effort and time. A visit to the museum and especially to the weaving handcraft process by local women and men surely is one of the highlights touring the island.

Up north there's another unique sight - up a winding road you'll reach an observation deck (that eventually is a starting spot for paragliders) where you see the Chinese sea to your left, and the Pacific Ocean to your right, separated only by a narrow strech of land that also is a popular surfers beach.

One last experience to share - touring Amami-Oshima due to its size by car felt time is flying, as you stop at many places that either a bus won't stop or won't go. And for sure, there are plenty of colorful motives suggeting a short break.