Getting Around Amami Oshima

Getting Around Amami Oshima

Getting Around Amami Oshima

The quickest way to get to Amami Oshima is to fly into the island. For those traveling from Tokyo, JAL and Vanilla Air are the two airlines servicing Amami Airport with non-stop flights. If the utmost convenience is what you are looking for, then we recommend flying with JAL as the boarding and arriving procedures at Narita are way more travel friendly than those of Vanilla Air. That being said, if you are traveling on a budget and don’t mind the less convenient aspects of using a low cost airline, then Vanilla Air has a good value-cost performance. You can also fly from Osaka and Fukuoka, and, in such case, flying with Jetstar is another possibility.

Getting Around Amami Oshima

Another way of getting to Amami Oshima, more so for the travelers with a more flexible travel schedule, is on a ferry boat. You can cruise down to Amami via Kagoshima or make the island-hopping trip up from Okinawa. In terms of ferries, the island is serviced by two companies, A-Line and Marix Line, which have a unique arrangement in which they alternate the travel dates between the two. If you love ocean travel, then taking the ferry is a fun way to get to Amami and also a budget-friendly alternative. That being said, serious planning should be done a few days in advance since daily departures from both Kagoshima or Okinawa are limited to once per day or, in exceptional cases, maybe twice per day. We highly recommend booking your spot on the ferry at least one day in advance, or a few more days if traveling during the busy summer season. Also, by taking the ferry, you’ll need to add weather cancellations to the mix which are not at all rare in this part of the country. One plus of arriving via ferry is that the boat docks at Naze Port in Amami City, leaving you right at the center of local life on the island.

Getting Around Amami Oshima

Getting Around Amami Oshima

Once on the island, the best way to get around and see more of what this paradise has to offer is by renting a car. Amami Oshima is a big island, and getting to Uken and Setouchi on the south side is hard to do unless you drive. There are several outfits offering similar rental services, but one we like is Amami Rental Car. As soon as you step out of the airport, the staff will be waiting for you with the warm smile typical of the locals on the island. The company has offices both in front of the airport and within walking distance from Naze Port, and you’ll be set off in your choice of vehicle in no time, ready to explore the island soon after arriving. As with anywhere else in Japan, you’ll need an international drivers’ license or a Japanese license if you have one.

Getting Around Amami Oshima

There are no highways in Amami Oshima, but Road 58 is the main artery on the island and one that will get you from the airport in the North all the way down to Setouchi City in the south. Along this road, you’ll find convenience stores, supermarkets, and some family restaurants that can come handy. But, the beauty of having a car is being able to explore the less travel roads and hidden towns. For this, we recommend you make the drive through the mountainous region of the island and over to Uken. Then, from Uken, drive along the seaside Road 79 and up to Amami Ohama Seaside Park. The breathtaking views of mountains and the Sea of Japan will make the island adventure an unforgettable one.

Getting Around Amami Oshima

奄美大島

鹿児島県奄美市名瀬朝戸-大島郡

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Naze Port <Amami Oshima>

Kagoshima Pref.

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大浜海浜公園のハイビスカス

鹿児島県奄美市名瀬小宿大浜701-1

0997556000

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