History / Culture / Tour Spots in Amami / Okinoerabu Island Area

  • Southern Cross Center
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    4.0
    56 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Yoron Municipal Cho 3313
    This is a museum where you can learn about the history, nature and life of the Amami archipelago including Riccho, Yoron Town, Yoron Island. The fifth floor observation deck, the highest floor on the island, offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding area, and on days with good weather, the northern part of Okinawa and the neighboring islands can also be seen. You can enjoy exhibitions on different themes such as the sea and life from the first floor to the fourth floor. It also exhibits paintings by Masatoshi Ikeda, an artist from Yoron Island, items that belonged to Yoko Mori, who loved Yoron, and bicycles used in movies. It also introduces the special products and dialects of Yoron for an enjoyable tour.

    島の高台に位置しているので、建物の最上階に昇れば東西南北すべてが眺められ、島の全貌を手に取れます。 また、館内には、与論島の成り立ちや戦争、独自の民族文化まで学べます。 より与論島が愛しくなります!

  • Museum of Wadomari Town History and Folklore
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    3.5
    4 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Wadomaricho Neori 1313-1
    This museum, opened in 1997, contains a variety of exhibits which present the history and culture of Okinoerabu Island. The heart of the museum is its exhibition concerning Erabu lilies, a variety distinct to the island, and visitors can learn about the connection between Okinoerabu and lilies, and also view exhibits on lilies from around the world. Thoroughly conveying the history, culture, and charms of the island, the museum has exhibits on the way of life of the residents of Okinoerabu Island and panels on the island's beautiful nature.

    館内は二つのエリアからなり、中央部に沖永良部島に自生するえらぶゆりに関する展示、その周囲をぐるりと一周するように島の文化、伝統、歴史、民俗風習などに関して展示されていました。 なぜ歴史民俗資料館にゆりの展示?と一瞬、違和感を覚えましたが、説明書きを読んで納得、えらぶゆりは島に自生するたいへん貴重なゆりで、100年前に外国商人にその価値を認められると球根や切花の栽培・交易が始まり、それ以来島の特産と...

  • The Remains of Nanshu Saigo
    Travel / Tourism
    Oshima-gun, Kagoshima Tatsugo-cho Ryugo 166
    This wooden residence is where Saigo Takamori lived for around three years when he was ordered to stay in Amami Oshima Island. It is now a private property managed by the son of his wife, Aigana, and is open to the public as a paid-entry museum. The residence has valuable items such as Saigo Takamori's personal history and private writings, and a stone monument to his wife, Aigana, on display. There is also another monument with the lettering from Katsu inscribed on it.
  • Amami City Folk Heritage Museum
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Amami-shi Kasaricho Suno 670
    This museum is located about a 10-minute drive from Amami Airport. The left side of the museum features two permanent exhibit halls dedicated to the archaeology and folk culture of the Amami Islands, respectively. The right side of the museum is a Special Exhibit Hall where visitors can learn about the history and origins of the island through exhibits including archaeological artifacts uncovered locally in Kasari-cho and taxidermy specimens of local wildlife. The Archaeological Exhibit Hall exhibits artifacts dating from the Paleolithic era to the Middle Ages in chronological order. There is something for people of all ages to enjoy at the museum thanks to the broad range of subjects including archaeology, history, and folk customs covered by its ample exhibits.
  • Amami City Amami Museum
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kagoshima Amami-shi Naze Nagahamacho 517
    This museum opened in 1987 as the first general museum in the Amami Islands. It conducts investigative research and the collection and preservation of artifacts in order to understand the nature, history, culture, and of the Amami Islands. The museum underwent a complete renovation in 2019. The ocean-themed first floor features exhibits on boats and fishing in the Amami Islands, live specimens of Amami Oshima's rare native wildlife, and more. The second floor features hands-on exhibits such as looms and sugar cane presses that teach visitors about the lifestyle of the Amami Islands. The museum also features outdoor exhibits including a relocated and restored traditional Amami home and elevated storehouse.
  • Isson Tanaka's Final Residence
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Amami-shi Naze Ariya Cho 38-3
    This home was the final residence of the Nihonga painter Isson Tanaka, who moved to Amami Oshima Island after being charmed by the nature of these southern islands when he was 50 years old. The joy of living in this new home, which he purportedly considered to be like a palace compared to the previous home he had long rented, is said to have rejuvenated his creative urges. His paintings in this period are best characterized by his boldly composed and detailed depictions of the island's subtropical plants and fish. He continued to create paintings inspired by the nature of the Amami Islands until he passed away in obscurity at the age of 69 in 1977. The anniversary of his death is still marked by members of the community.
  • Statue of Shigechiyo Izumi
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Isencho Asan
    Shigechiyo Izumi, who was born in Asan, Isen Town in 1865 and died in 1985 at the age of 120, is said to have been the last survivor of the Edo Period (1615-1868). In 1976, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized him as the longest-lived human, and in honor of this achievement, a copper statue and a museum were built in the agricultural area on the southern part of Tokunoshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, where Izumi's home was. The museum contains a large number of photographs and personal items that convey the story of Izumi's long life to present-day visitors.
  • Isen Town History and Folklore Museum
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Isencho Isen 2945-3
    A folk museum that describes the geography, culture, and traditional lifestyles of Tokunoshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is located near Prefectural Route 83 near the southern tip of the island inside the remodeled building of a former agricultural high school. The exhibits are divided into three sections: nature, traditional artifacts, and archeology. In addition to traditional items used in the 19th and early to mid-20th centuries and rock samples, visitors are intrigued by the earthenware vessels and buried human bones excavated at the ruins of the Tokunoshima Kamuiyaki Pottery Kiln. Other unique historical and cultural that visitors can peruse include exhibits include stones for grinding sugar cane and videos of island songs,
  • The Coral Stone Walls of Aden
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Kikaicho Aden
    Located about a 15-minute drive from the Kikaijima Airport, in an area where no pit vipers live, these numerous coral stone walls are especially well preserved and highly regarded as important cultural properties. The hamlet of Aden contains an especially large number, and it is part of an island walking route led by local residents who act as volunteer guides. The Aden route takes visitors to the place where ethnographer Ichiro Iwakura was born, and to the sites where a number of movies were filmed.
  • Tomb of the Monk Shunkan
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Kikaicho Wan
    "The grave of the 12th-century monk Shunkan is located a five-minute drive from Kikai Airport. He was exiled to Kikaijima Island after taking part in the Shishigatani plot to overthrow Tairano Kiyomori, the de facto ruler of Japan at the time. This area is referred to by a name that means ""in the presence of the monk"" in the local dialect, and offerings of flowers and incense are still laid there. The bones of a man thought to be a high-ranking figure from off the island were found near the grave, and these bones bore the marks of a sword, so many people say that these may be the bones of Shunkan himself. The Shunkan Jogging Meet is held every year in March in honor of the ancient virtues of this monk."
  • Shimao Toshio Literary Monument
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Setouchicho Oshikaku
    This plaque is located in Bungakujin Memorial Park, about a ten-minute drive from Seso Port in Setouchi Town. Shimao Toshio, who was later known as a writer of literary fiction, was head of a suicide mission unit at the Nominoura Naval Base during World War II. It is said that meeting his wife and his extreme experiences here were the starting points of his literary career. In addition to novels such as The Sting of Death, which describes his intense love for his wife, he published many other works, including poems and essays. He won many famous literary prizes during his career.
  • Yamatohama Traditional Storehouses
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Yamatoson Yamato Hama 119
    Located about a two-minute walk from Yamato Village Hall, this is a group of high-floor warehouses in Yamatohama. Originally, it was built on the outskirts of the village as a warehouse to store cereals and to protect it from fire, these warehouses on Amami Oshima Island are said to have an unusual type of architecture. The architectural style that does not use a single nail is the oldest, and the thatched part of the buildings are used for storage. They use a method to prevent mice from entering them, and now five buildings remain. The buildings are registered as prefecture-designated tangible cultural properties.
  • Yui no Yakata
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Amagi Cho Amagi 439-1
    "This history and folklore museum is located in Amagi Town a five-minute drive from Tokunoshima Kodakara Airport. The word ""yui"" refers to the spirit of mutual help and encouragement that the people of the island have cherished since ancient times, and means ""community"" and ""exchange of labor""."" Based on the five basic principles of gathering, nurturing, playing, showing and learning, which the islanders learned in their daily lives, we can learn about life from the Jomon period (about 1,000 BC-300 BC) to the Heian period (794-1185), Showa period (1926-1989) and to the present day. There is also a area that describes the relationship between Takamori Saigo and Tokunoshima Island, and an actual sabani (traditional small wooden boat) unique to the island's culture is also on display."
  • Naoko Road Monument
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Amagi Cho Yonama
    Located about a ten-minute drive from Tokunoshima Kodakara Airport, this monument was erected in 2000 to commemorate the training camp held by Naoko Takahashi, gold medalist of the Sydney Olympics Women's Marathon. A 31.2-kilometer training course that starts from the monument and runs around the north side of Tokunoshima Island is called Naoko Road, and makes use of the rugged terrain of Tokunoshima to train for strong physical and mental strength. Marathoner participants from all over the country come to practice, and you can even see them running on the course.
  • Statue of the 46th Yokozuna Asashio Taro
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Tokunoshimacho Inokawa
    This statue was erected in 1995 in commemoration of Asashio Taro, a Yokozuna (grand champion highest rank in sumo) from Tokunoshima, to praise the achievements of the hero of Amami. Taro Asashio, with his blessed physique and thick, dignified eyebrows, is known for his powerful pushing technique, and boasts a record of five Makuuchi championships and four distinguished service awards. On top of a small hill, the statue stands with an imposing figure against the backdrop of the lush greenery of Mt. Inokawa. As Tokunoshima is an area where sumo wrestling thrives, there are many rings that can be found. After retiring, Asashio Taro trained many powerful sumo wrestlers as head of the Takasago stable.
  • Yoron Castle Ruins
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Yoroncho
    "Located about a 15-minute drive from Yoron Airport, this is the site of Yoron Castle, which is said to have been built by Oshan, third son of the king of Hokuzan in Ryukyu kingdam (Okinawa now). The castle was built between 1405 and 1416, and was unfinished due to the fall of the king of Hokuzan during the period, so only the stone wall remains. Inside the castle, there is Tokonushi Shrine, Kotohira Shrine, and a memorial to the Manchurian pioneers. The ""Yoron Jugoya Odori,"" held three times a year on the premises, is a prayer for rain to the dragon god, for bountiful harvests, peace on the island, and prosperity for the people and animals. It's registered as Nationally Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties."
  • Yoron Folk Village
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Yoroncho
    This folklore museum is located about a 15-minute drive from Yoron Airport and the port. A kominka (old house) was relocated and restored, and tools used in the 1950s are on display and introduced. You can see the cone-shaped, thatched-roofed buildings, which are traditional Yoron houses, and the sugar carts used for squeezing sugarcane. In addition to plant dyeing using vegetation native to Yoron Island, there is also a class to make pure brown sugar by squeezing and boiling sugarcane using an old-fashioned compressor.
  • Grave of Yononushi
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Wadomaricho Uchijiro 808
    This Ryukyu-style grave is located a 20-minute drive from Okinoerabu Airport. The grave was designated a Historic Site by the prefecture in 1966. The grave is occupied by Masajiyo, who ruled Okinoerabu Island as its yononushi (chief) during the reign of the Ryukyu Kingdom, as well as his family. According to legend, the chief, his wife, and children all committed suicide after accidentally attacking a peace vessel sent by the Okinawan kingdom of Chuzan in the 15th century. The fantastic crypt, which still stands today, is surrounded by a stone wall and was built by carving it out of the area's coral.
  • Tanaka Isson Memorial Art Museum
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    4.5
    85 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kagoshima Amami-shi Kasaricho Setsuta 1834

    When it was rainy day,we visited this museum.We did not know about Isson Tanaka before we went to Amami.We spend lots of time in this museum. There is small theatre, cafe and gift shop in this...

  • Tokunoshima Na Kusami Museum
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    4.0
    16 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kagoshima Oshima-gun Isencho Metegu 626

    私が訪れたときは牛が2頭いて、あとは飼育主さんがいただけ。牛はつながれた状態でした。休暇中の闘牛場みたいなのほほんとした感じでした。一度立ち寄ってみるといいかと

Kagoshima Areas

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Over 100 active volcanoes across Kagoshima make it one of the Japan's most exciting prefectures. The prefectural capital, Kagoshima city, looks out to one of the prefecture’s most spectacular volcanoes, Sakurajima, an island of its own that can be visited and seen close up or admired from afar, with the promise of breathtaking sunsets complete with frequent puffs of smoke and ash. Down the Satsuma Peninsula, the most southerly part of mainland Japan, waterfalls, sand onsen, and fascinating history await, while Kagoshima's abundance of satsuma imo (sweet potato) provide a wholesome snack as well as one of Japan's favourite drinks - shochu.

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