Introducing the Islands of Amami
OKINOE“LOVE”─
An island where you meet your true self
Okinoerabujima Okinoerabujima
Dramatic cliffs shaped by uplifted coral reefs and crystal-clear waters known as “Erabu Blue.”Flowers bloom year-round above ground, while limestone caves breathe quietly below.Okinoerabu Island is a small southern island where the contrast of “flowers” and “landforms” lingers in memory.In a calm environment free of habu snakes, you can stroll along the shore, explore caves, and cycle between flower fields.A journey awaits where you can fully immerse yourself in island time.Located between the Amami Islands and Okinawa Main Island, it also serves as a welcoming midpoint along the sea routes that connect the islands,making it easy to expand your travels to nearby shores.
ROUTE MAP Route map
suspended
The Island Gateway Reached by Sea
Traveling to Okinoerabu Island by Ferry
As you approach Okinoerabu Island, the color of the sea begins to change noticeably.The shallows grow remarkably clear, revealing even the contours of the seabed. The distinctive blue known as “Erabu Blue” spreads across the water, bringing the island’s outline into sharp relief.Stepping off the ferry, open fields and plateaus immediately unfold before you, along with the island’s characteristic red soil.The contrast of the sea and sky’s blue with the green of the fields creates a vivid landscape that defines Okinoerabu Island.
#2
Scenic views woven from coral land and Erabu Blue
A journey through Okinoerabu’s nature and culture
Land born from uplifted coral reefs and the crystal-clear waters of Erabu Blue. Across Okinoerabu Island, dramatic scenery shaped by nature—caves, cliffs, tidal pools, and white sand beaches—can be found throughout. The landscape shifts with the angle of the sun and the rhythm of the tides, offering new discoveries no matter how many times you visit. As you encounter the island’s prayers, festivals, and the culture carried through island songs, step into a journey of quiet island time. Discover views that gently unwind the heart and experience the charm of Okinoerabu that makes you want to take a deep breath.
Quiet Seaside Moments Shaped by White Sand and Coral Reefs
Shashi Beach
Shashi Beach in the Kunigami area lives up to its name—“white stone”—with its white sand and exceptionally clear waters. At low tide, table-shaped coral reefs emerge, and sunlight sparkles across gentle ripples, revealing a quiet and beautiful scene.Walking along the shore in the soft morning light, the reflected sky and coral patterns blend gently beneath the surface, allowing you to slowly savor the many shades of Erabu Blue.
A Blowhole Cave Where You Can Feel the Breath of the Tides Up Close
Fucha Blowhole
Fucha Blowhole, opening along the northern cliffs of the island, means “blowhole cave” in the local language.This vertical cave was formed as uplifted coral reefs were eroded by powerful waves. During strong winds, seawater can surge upward to heights of 20 to 70 meters, creating a dramatic spectacle.Standing at the edge of the steep cliff, you see jagged rocks at your feet, deep blue waters below, and the horizon stretching far into the distance—an awe-inspiring reminder of the time shaped by sea and wind.
The Tree of Life Planted by the Island’s Children
Japan’s Largest Banyan Tree
Rooted within the grounds of a local school, the “Largest Banyan Tree in Japan” began as a single tree planted by graduating students in the Meiji era. Over more than 120 years, it has grown into a magnificent giant. Selected as one of the “New 100 Famous Trees of Japan,” it is cherished for both its history and commanding presence. Its trunk divides into multiple pillars gripping the earth, while aerial roots hang down like living threads—an embodiment of the island’s vitality itself. Standing beneath its canopy, you are wrapped in the sound of wind passing through the leaves and the shifting patterns of sunlight, as time seems to slow gently around you.
#3
Adventure on the “Island of Caves”
Discover a quiet underground world through caving
Beneath Okinoerabu Island lie an estimated 200 to 300 limestone caves of various sizes. From vertical shafts and horizontal passages to caves carved by flowing water, the diversity is remarkable—making the entire island feel like a vast underground labyrinth.Guided caving tours led by professional instructors allow visitors to enter caves normally closed to the public, equipped with helmets and headlamps. As you step carefully over uneven rocks, the world narrows to the sound of dripping water and your own breath. Illuminated by your light, stalactites, stalagmites, and underground lakes reveal a calm radiance unlike anything above ground.Courses are available for different skill levels, so even beginners can join with confidence by following the guide’s instructions. Squeezing through narrow rock gaps and bending low to move forward heightens the sense of true exploration. With each change in footing, anticipation builds—what scene will appear next?Touching the presence of underground streams and limestone formations shaped over tens of thousands of years reveals another side of Okinoerabu Island, beyond its well-known image of “flowers and sea.” Experiencing both the vivid Erabu Blue above ground and the quiet, transparent waters below is a journey unique to this island.
#4
Specialties Born from Life on Okinoerabu
Traditional bashōfu weaving and island brown sugar
The local specialties nurtured through everyday life on Okinoerabu Island carry within them the island’s unique nature and sense of time. When you visit, go beyond the scenery and discover the craftsmanship deeply rooted in this land.
Local Specialties & Traditional Crafts
Bashofu (Banana Fiber Textile)
Bashofu is a traditional craft nurtured by the natural environment of Okinoerabu Island. Fibers are extracted from the stems of the ito-basho (banana plant), dyed with local plants, and woven entirely by hand—an age-old textile tradition of the Nansei Islands. The island’s warm climate and relatively flat terrain support this meticulous craft. At the Okinoerabu Bashofu Hall (workshop), every step—from cultivating the plants and making thread to natural dyeing and weaving—is carried out carefully by skilled artisans. Without the use of chemical dyes, the fabric preserves natural colors, resulting in a texture that is simple yet deeply expressive.
Local Specialties
Brown Sugar & Traditional Sweets
A favorite souvenir is pure brown sugar (junkokutō) made from sugarcane grown on the island—juice simmered down with no additives, mild sweetness and rich depth, minerals included, a taste rooted in local life. Enjoy it as-is, in drinks, or in cooking. It is a classic edible memento of Okinoerabu’s nature and daily living.
#5
Nurtured by island life,
Okinoerabu island songs
Melodies of memory passed down
beside the sea and fields
The island songs of Okinoerabu do not use the strong falsetto often heard in Amami folk music. Instead, they are characterized by a softer, more familiar vocal style, closer to that of Okinawan folk songs. Rather than showy techniques, these songs value the natural resonance of the voice itself, reaching even first-time listeners with a quiet sense of comfort.Okinoerabu folk songs have developed uniquely on the island while being influenced by surrounding regions such as the Ryukyu Kingdom, Amami, and Satsuma. Some trace their origins to Amami songs, others to Okinawan or mainland Japanese folk traditions. Over time, melodies brought to the island evolved and blended, remaining today as distinctive tunes unique to Okinoerabu.Island songs were never reserved only for special occasions. They existed naturally within daily life—sung at celebrations, community gatherings, and in ordinary moments. These voices, layered over generations, carry the island’s history and the rhythms of its people into the present.If you happen to hear an island song during your journey, pause and listen. The melody will gently preserve your time on Okinoerabu Island, intertwined with the landscape in your memory.
#6
Taste Okinoerabu on a Plate
at the Fishing Port and Izakaya
Everyday “island meals” woven into local life
When dining on Okinoerabu Island, the true charm lies not in “special dishes” made for tourists, but in plates that blend naturally into everyday island life.Set meals featuring freshly landed fish from the fishing port, simply prepared island vegetables with a homestyle touch, and fried dishes enjoyed alongside brown sugar shochu—none are extravagant, yet each delivers the pure strength of the ingredients and the atmosphere of island living.For lunch, visit a small eatery near Wadomari Fishing Port. Through the window, the harbor stretches out before you, and the rhythm of the port gently accompanies your meal. In the evening, settle into a local izakaya in Wadomari town, savoring local fish and island dishes while enjoying conversation with the owner.Part of the charm of dining out on the island is hearing about the weather, seasonal ingredients, and even tips for tomorrow’s destinations—information not found in guidebooks, but naturally shared across the counter.
Lunch Set Meals by the Fishing Port
Yamahata, Wadomari Fishing Port
Located just steps from Wadomari Fishing Port, Yamahata is a local eatery that sits side by side with the daily lives of those who work at the harbor.Set meals and seafood dishes made with fish landed that very day line the menu, and each plate carries the unmistakable freshness of food enjoyed at the port. As you step inside, a nostalgic atmosphere greets you, creating a relaxed comfort that eases you in—even on your first visit.Outside the window stretches the harbor view, and you may catch the distant hum of boat engines or the sounds of daily work. Rather than a place designed for tourists, it offers the feeling of being welcomed into an ordinary harbor meal—where travelers are simply invited to join in.
An Evening of Local Fish and Island Cuisine
Island Izakaya Moori Moori
Located in the heart of Wadomari, Moori Moori is a popular izakaya that should be high on your list for enjoying the island’s night scene.The restaurant is run by a cheerful and welcoming couple. Sit at the counter and conversation flows naturally—about the island’s weather, today’s sea conditions, and even recommendations for tomorrow’s spots. Travel tips gather effortlessly over the course of the evening.Within just a few minutes, you begin to understand why locals love this place. Fresh sashimi made from local fish, tempura of island vegetables, and drinks crafted with brown sugar shochu—all are carefully prepared, unpretentious, and full of warmth. These small discoveries along your journey become flavors you won’t easily forget.
#7
Know the Island Today,
Connect to Its Tomorrow
Eco tours with certified guides
Traveling Okinoerabu, you may reach a moment when you want more than to “see” the scenery—you want to stand inside the island’s sense of time.
That is when an eco-tour with a certified guide who knows nature and culture deeply fits. The Amami Islands have a guide system to protect environment and livelihoods while welcoming visitors; Okinoerabu’s guides explain uplifted coral landforms and the sea’s story, while also keeping islanders’ daily life in view.
Rather than a lecture, it feels like being welcomed into the island—that distance is the charm of eco-tours here.
Among experiences, making a “chura-dama” (glass bead) lets you feel the island’s air gently. Picking small finds from the beach and shaping your piece is closer to touching daily life than ticking a tourist box. The finished bead is modest in size yet reflects your choices and the time you spent—you can wear your memory home.
Along the way, easy talk with the guide arises—the sea, the seasons, ways of life that endure. Each phrase helps you feel Okinoerabu in depth.
Eco-tours need no special prep and quietly deepen a trip. Meeting nature and people at a comfortable distance should leave your time here as clearer memory.
#8
Ferries connect,
routes to the Amami Islands and Okinawa
From Okinoerabu to the next island
Ferries calling at Okinoerabu Island head north toward Tokunoshima and Amami Oshima, and south via Yoron Island to Okinawa’s Motobu Port and Naha Port.After fully enjoying one island, being able to sail onward to the next is a privilege unique to Okinoerabu’s location between the Amami Islands and Okinawa.Stand on deck and you’ll see the outline of the “Island of Flowers” gradually fading behind you, while the silhouette of the next island slowly rises along the same horizon.Inside the ship, the rhythm of waves and engine hum creates a steady cadence, offering a quiet travel time unlike any journey on land. The sea outside the window constantly shifts in color and light, and the movement itself gently builds anticipation for what lies ahead.“Which island shall we cross to next?” “What landscapes await us?” With these thoughts in mind, continue your journey from Okinoerabu—an island of flowers and limestone caves—and let the next chapter unfold.
Video Okinoerabu Island Promotional Video
