Amami Island / Ibusuki [Kagoshima]

Q. How is Amami Archipelago?

A. The islands belong to Kagoshima Prefecture and are part of the greater Ryukyu Islands chain that includes Okinawa. 

Q. How can we access from Tokyo? 

A. Ferry services regularly leave to both Kagoshima and Okinawa, while the airport links the island to Tokyo. 

Q. What is Amami Oshima like?

A. The island is part of the Amamigunto National Park, and the sea surrounding the island is crystal clear. The brightly colored coral reefs and tropical fish make for fantastic diving opportunities.

Q.Are there famous local fabric?

A. Oshima tsumugi silk is a specialty of the Amami Islands and has been used for centuries to make high-quality kimono.

Q. What is Tokunoshima like?

A. Tokunoshima is home to a rare form of bullfighting known as bovine sumo or togyu. 

Q. What can we see if we go diving in Okinoerabu Island?

A. Unique flora and fauna are in abundant supply and include turtles, sea snakes, sea cucumbers, starfish, octopus, stingrays and reef sharks.

Q. Please tell me how Yoron Island is.

A. Yoron Island is the southernmost of the Amami Islands, located approximately 563 kilometers south of Kyushu.

Q. I would like to enjoy local liquor. What do you recommend?

A. There is liquor called Kokuto Shochu. 

Q. Do they speak English or Japanese?

A. the people of the Amami Islands chain historically spoke a dialect of Japanese that is almost unrecognizable to speakers of standard Japanese. Some of the older residents of the islands still speak the dialect, but younger inhabitants speak standard Japanese. And, in locations frequently visited by tourists, staff speak good English as well.

[Ibusuki]

Q. How is Ibusuki ? 

Q. How can we get to Ibusuki from Kagoshima?

Q.What is Ibusuki like?

Ibusuki is famous for its seaside volcanic sand baths. Lie in a sand pit and be buried up to your neck in hot volcanic sand for a rapid detox. There are plenty of regular onsen as well, and the rotenburo outdoor bath at Healthy Land Tamatebako onsen provides amazing views of Mt Kaimon.

Q. How many meters is the dormant volcano?

The dormant volcano is 924 meters high and is almost perfectly conical. 

Q. Are there any other nice view points?

A stunning view also awaits at Cape Nagasakibana—the southernmost point of the Satsuma Peninsula.

Q. To complete the trip to Ibusuki, there is something local you must eat. What is it?

It’s Tosenkyo Somen Nagashi, noodles in a circular container in the middle of your table are spun around by flowing water. Catching the noodles with your chopsticks is a challenge.