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Japan’s secret subtropical island

Magical Amami Oshima

May 15, 2025

Tallula Esterhuizen
By Tallula Esterhuizen

To be honest, those in Japan probably don’t want me to share their guarded secret, so please, don’t tell. Well, what is it? Amami Oshima. This small subtropical island southwest of Japan’s mainland has been described as “better than the Maldives”. And when you glimpse images of this paradise, it’s not hard to see why.

It really is an island you discover through word of mouth. We were let in on the secret by Aaron Benjamin, Founder and CEO of Ichijiku, a luxury fashion house in Tokyo that specializes in bespoke garments made from rare Kimono fabrics.

“Known as the birthplace of Oshima Tsumugi — one of Japan’s most prized woven fabrics, Amami Oshima is a criminally underappreciated island in Kagoshima prefecture that offers many of the benefits of more popular tropical islands like Okinawa, but without the crowds,” says Aaron.

Art In Voyage Business Development Director Crystal Hochman recently led a curated journey through Japan. She recommends Amami Oshima as the perfect add-on to a Japan journey:
“After the energy of Tokyo and the cultural richness of Kyoto, Amami Oshima is the perfect exhale — a serene tropical retreat, where life slows down, shaped by a way of living rooted in natural beauty, time-honored traditions, and everyday simplicity, all of which contribute to the well-being and longevity of its people (most of whom live to 100). It’s the perfect crescendo to your journey, a place where you transition from neon lights to nature’s rhythm, without ever leaving Japan.”

Need more convincing? Here are our top three reasons why Amami Oshima is worth visiting.

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Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage

Chase black rabbits in a natural wonderland

This island offers nature lovers everything they could wish for. Its crystal-clear waters — a shade so distinct it’s been given its own name, Kakeroma Blue (somewhere between sapphire and aquamarine) — harbor spectacular marine life: turtles, colorful tropical fish in reefs, dolphins, and whales included. There is even a heart-shaped rock pool, the Amami Heart Rock, on one of its pristine beaches.

Beyond the coast, Amami Oshima’s mountainous terrain is blanketed with UNESCO-listed forests that brim with species found nowhere else in the world. In fact, the island has the second biggest mangrove forest in the whole of Japan.

Local eco-guides will lead you through the thick canopies, helping you spot elusive endemic wildlife like “Japan’s most beautiful frog” — Ishikawa’s frog — and the nocturnal black rabbit (you can go on a special night drive to spot these, living your own version of Alice in Wonderland).

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Art in Voyage

Musically aged spirits

Amami Oshima has not one but two distilleries that use music to age their liquor. They produce a rare spirit made by only 26 distilleries in the world — Amami Kokuto Shochu. Shochu is made from brown sugar and malted rice, and the unique Kokuto variety is exclusive to the Amami Archipelago.

Kaiun Shuzo distillery is situated on the foothills of the island’s sacred mountain Uwandake. The secret behind their world-renowned Kokuto Shochu? They play classical music to the tanks holding the maturing spirit.

It’s not a gimmick — the process is known as acoustic or sonic aging and works by making the maturing spirit “dance”. The sound waves vibrate the shochu at different frequencies (depending on the genre, of course), which causes it to interact with the oak of the barrels and agitate in a way that brings out different flavors, like vanilla and spice (and all things nice).

Nishihira Distillery, in the island’s vibey district Naze, also uses sonic aging on their Kokuto Shochu, but prefers to pump up the base, playing everything from hip-hop, Latin, house, reggae, and rock, to traditional shima-uta-are to their shochu barrels.

This distillery has been in the same family for generations, as has a love of music — Selena Nishihira and her father were musicians in Tokyo, both returning to Amami Oshima to run the family shochu business. Now they have a music hall that hosts live events in the distillery warehouse. Stop by to dance (along with the liquor) and taste the Shochu.

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Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage

Kimono fabric of time

Amami Oshima has been doing quiet luxury long before it became a TikTok hashtag — for 1,300 years to be exact. This peaceful island is where one of Japan’s finest silk textiles, Oshima Tsumugi, has been masterfully made by hand since the 7th century. Weaving the fabric is an art passed through generations and so time-consuming that a single roll can take months and cost thousands of dollars.

Oshima Tsumugi is unique in its softness, strength, geometric patterns so fine they can resemble pixel art, and the dyeing process, which uses fermented mud and iron-rich river water to produce deep, earthy colors. It’s no wonder that wearing a kimono made of Oshima Tsumugi is associated with elegance, refinement, and wealth.

You can see the process up close and try your hand at the mud-dyeing process in the Oshima Tsumugi Village, where this silken textile has been made for over a millennium (or pop into Ichijiku, Aaron’s luxury fashion house in Tokyo, to have a bespoke garment made from this incredible textile).

Want to explore this incredible island?

Have Art In Voyage create a Japan journey that balances Tokyo’s city buzz with Amami’s subtropical tranquility. Get started and submit your tailor-made inquiry here.

Stay tuned for our Food and Foliage in Japan journey, September 2026.

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Art in Voyage

FAQs

Where is Amami Oshima?

Southwest of mainland Japan in the China Sea. It is the biggest island in Japan’s Amami archipelago.

Is Amami Oshima part of Japan?

Yes. It is part of Japan’s Kagoshima prefecture.

How do you get to Amami Oshima?

You can fly to Amami Oshima from Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Naha, and Kagoshima. The flights take from 1 to 2.5 hours.

You can also take an 11-hour ferry to Amami Oshima from Kagoshima (some ferries offer first and “special class” rooms).

How big is Amami Oshima?

Amami Oshima is about 275 square miles — 66 miles long and 7 miles wide — making it easy to explore.

Is Amami Oshima worth visiting?

Yes! If you are looking for a secluded paradise with pristine beaches, crystal-clear turquoise seas brimming with marine life, truly unique cultural experiences, and people who’ve mastered the art of living well and long, this is the destination for you.

How many days do you need in Amami Oshima?

It is possible to experience Amami Oshima in 3 days, but to really understand its magic, we would recommend at least 5 days, especially if you’ve spent time in the busy, neon buzz of Tokyo and Japan’s mainland cities; Amami Oshima is the perfect place to decompress and unwind.

When is the best time to visit Amami Oshima?

Amami Oshima is a pleasure to visit anytime of the year! Summer (June – August) is great for those traditional tropical beach vacays, with sunbathing, snorkeling, and balmy evenings.

Winter (December – March) is whale-watching season. Throughout spring (March – April), fall (October – November), and winter, the temperatures remain pleasant and mild. These seasons are good for outdoor activities like hiking through the island’s UNESCO mangrove forests.

A real plus is that throughout the year the island never gets very crowded. The only thing to be aware of is possible typhoons, which can happen from July to September, so check weather warnings before planning your trip, or ask your Art In Voyage travel expert.
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