Amami Oshima or Okinawa: Which is better? A comprehensive comparison of access, area, sightseeing, activities, and more!

Amami Oshima or Okinawa: Which is better? A comprehensive comparison of access, area, sightseeing, activities, and more!
Update date:
Activity Japan Editorial Department

On this page, we will introduce the remote islands of Kagoshima Prefecture. Amami Oshima "and" Okinawa (including remote islands) "A thorough comparison!

How to get there by plane or ferry, access, travel time, area, culture, fees, activities, etc. We will introduce the charms of each.

" Which is better, Amami Oshima or Okinawa? Let's check out this information for those who are worried about their travel plans.

Which is better, Amami Oshima or Okinawa?

It boasts untouched nature, including a sparkling emerald blue sea. Tropical resort island " Amami Oshima "and" Okinawa " .

While planning your trip, Which is better: Amami Oshima or Okinawa? "I'm sure many people are researching the appeal of each of these.

First of all, Amami Oshima and Okinawa A quick review of the culture and attractions I'll leave it at that.

The culture and tourism appeal of Amami Oshima

Amami Oshima or Okinawa: Which is better? A comprehensive comparison of access, area, sightseeing, activities, and more!

The beautiful nature of the area is represented by the sea known as Amami Blue and the jungle areas such as mangrove forests. Amami Oshima ".

Many endemic species, including the Amami rabbit, live here, fostering a unique ecosystem. Registered as a World Heritage Site on July 26, 2021 It has been done.

Also, Outdoor activity experience tours that make the most of nature It is held frequently and is popular with tourists.

The warm subtropical climate, island culture, local specialties such as brown sugar shochu and Oshima Tsumugi silk, and island cuisine. Full of sightseeing attractions is.

Recommended Feature Articles

[Amami Oshima Activities, Experiences, and Play] Fun for everyone from children to adults! Popular experience tour plan reservations and recommended shop information images
[Amami Oshima Activities, Experiences, and Fun] Fun for everyone from children to adults! Popular experience tour plan reservations rankings & recommended shop information
Updated on 2023/03/23
This article focuses on Amami Oshima, a remote island in Kagoshima Prefecture that continues to grow in popularity as a tropical resort island. We'll be introducing the top activities, leisure experiences, and fun activities on the island. We'll also be introducing the top booking rankings and recommended shops for popular outdoor activity tour plans, including canoeing and kayaking through the virgin mangrove forest and snorkeling in the blue Amami ocean.
Kyushu Kagoshima Amami Oshima Islands and Okinoerabu Island

The charm of Okinawa's culture and tourism

Amami Oshima or Okinawa: Which is better? A comprehensive comparison of access, area, sightseeing, activities, and more!

The undisputed number one popular spot for domestic travel, Okinawa (including remote islands) ".

Owns Naha Kokusai Street In recent years, not only on the main island of Okinawa, Ishigaki Island or Miyakojima , Iriomote Island The popularity of remote islands such as I continue to do so.

The biggest attraction of Okinawa is Enjoy outdoor activities in the emerald blue sea and forest areas Abundance of.

Also, Churaumi Aquarium and Junglia Okinawa Popular tourist spots Okinawa soba and steak Specialty Gourmet The abundance of options is also a factor in the continued popularity of travel.

Recommended Feature Articles

Okinawa Activity Recommended Experience Tours & Popular Ranking Images
Okinawa Activity Recommended Experience Tours & Popularity Rankings
Updated on 2024/04/08
Special feature on activities, leisure, experiences, and fun in Okinawa (main island and outlying islands)! We've got a complete introduction to "things you can enjoy in Okinawa," including popular rankings, recommended experience tours, and ways to enjoy winter and things other than the sea!
Okinawa Okinawa (main island) Miyako Island (Irabu Island, Shimoji Island, Kurima Island, Ikema Island) Canoeing and Kayaking Marine sports (ocean activities)

Access and Directions to Amami Oshima and Okinawa

Amami Oshima and Okinawa The main ways to access from major cities in Japan are There are two options: plane and ferry There is.

In either case, considering the cost performance in terms of fare and travel time, The most common way to get there is by plane. is.

Amami Oshima and Okinawa Both have direct flights from major domestic cities. We are doing it.

Below are some of the major cities in Japan. Travel time to Amami Oshima and Okinawa We have summarized the following.

Travel time to Amami Oshima and Okinawa

Departure point Amami Oshima Okinawa main island
Haneda Airport Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes Approximately 3 hours
Narita Airport Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes Approximately 3 hours
Kansai Airport Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes
Fukuoka Airport Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes

The above are examples of airports that offer direct flights to Amami Oshima and Okinawa main island.

To Amami Oshima If there are no direct flights to the area, the flight will go via Kagoshima Airport. I will.

It takes about an hour to get from Kagoshima Airport to Amami Oshima. is.

Recommended Feature Articles

How to get to Amami Oshima | Images of access from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima
How to get to Amami Oshima | Access from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima
Updated on 2024/09/06
We explain how to get to Amami Oshima. We'll introduce how to get to Amami Oshima from Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Nagoya, along with estimated travel costs, recommended ways to get there, and activities you can enjoy on the island.
Kyushu Kagoshima Amami Oshima Islands and Okinoerabu Island SUP Marine sports (ocean activities)

Area and size of Amami Oshima and Okinawa

Next, Amami Oshima and Okinawa main island Compare the area of Let's try it.

Amami Oshima Approximately 712 square kilometers
Okinawa main island Approximately 1,207 square kilometers

In comparison, it is more beautiful than Amami Oshima. Okinawa Island is nearly twice as large There is.

moreover, Okinawa prefectures also include Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island. This shows how large the area of Okinawa as a whole is.

By the way Amami Oshima is the third largest island in Japan after Okinawa Island and Sado Island. has.

Activities you can enjoy on Amami Oshima and Okinawa

Amami Oshima or Okinawa: Which is better? A comprehensive comparison of access, area, sightseeing, activities, and more!

Amami Oshima and Okinawa Both The common attraction is the wide variety of outdoor activities You can enjoy it.

Popular events allow you to enjoy the sparkling emerald blue sea and lush mangrove jungle areas is.

Below is the latest reservation data from Activity Japan. Popular Activity Experience Tours in Amami Oshima and Okinawa We will introduce you to the following.

POINT!
We expect many reservations and inquiries for each plan on weekends, holidays, and during long holiday seasons such as Golden Week, summer vacation, and Silver Week. We recommend that you check the availability of your schedule and make your reservation early.

Amami Oshima Activity Experience Tour Popularity Ranking

1 rank

[Kagoshima / Amami Oshima] Mangrove canoeing Starts at any time to prevent the three Cs (9:00-16:00)

Mangrove Teahouse
Amami Oshima Islands and Okinoerabu Island
1,700 yen ~ (tax included)
  • 4.4
  • (112 reviews and experiences)

Even beginners can feel at ease and enjoy the beautiful mangroves of Amami at a relaxed pace.

2 rank

Same-day reservations welcome! [Amami Oshima] Sea turtle snorkeling experience tour! Free underwater video included! 100% encounter rate! Groups and solo travelers welcome!

Dive Center OKKY
Amami Oshima Islands and Okinoerabu Island
7,700 circle 6,800 yen ~ (tax included)
Discount campaign now underway!
  • 4.9
  • (46 reviews and experiences)

The popular sea turtle snorkeling experience on Amami Oshima! With a 100% encounter rate in 2023, we invite you to the beautiful underwater world of Amami with safety as our motto! Don't worry if you can't swim! Our knowledgeable guides will provide thorough instruction and support! ☆The appeal of DiveCenter OKKY☆ ■First-timers, beginners, and those who can't swim

3 rank

Amami Oshima [Same-day reservations available] Mangrove canoe (60 minutes) - Enter a waterway that can only be entered with a guide ★ Post a review and receive free photo data ★

Amami Sealand
Amami Oshima Islands and Okinoerabu Island
7,000 yen ~ (tax included)
  • 4.8
  • (182 reviews and experiences)

Enjoy the great outdoors at your leisure on this World Heritage island♪ Canoe through the mangroves where time flows at a leisurely pace☆ Guided tours of waterways that are only accessible with a guide Take a walk on the water through the mangrove forests of Amami Oshima, one of the largest in Japan☆ Mangroves are a general term for plants that live in wetlands and tidal flats in tropical and subtropical regions. The mangroves in Sumiyo are Kandelia candel and Ohi

4 rank

Our most popular item! Boat snorkeling in the blue waters of Amami & a secluded beach landing tour that can only be reached by boat

ON SHORE
Amami Oshima Islands and Okinoerabu Island
8,900 yen ~ (tax included)
  • 4.7
  • (40 reviews and experiences)

The water is incredibly clear! We will take you to the blue waters of Amami. While snorkeling, you can see endless coral reefs and schools of tropical fish. If you're lucky, you might even see dolphins swimming during the cruise! We will also take you to Kotori Beach, the only remote beach in the northern part of Amami Oshima that can only be reached by boat. This was the tour with the most participants in our shop in 2014.

5 rank

[Kagoshima/Amami Oshima] Thrilling! Amami 4-wheel buggy spectacular view tour (available for 1 person or more)

Amami Buggy & Night Watching Guide Service
Amami Oshima Islands and Okinoerabu Island
8,000 yen ~ (tax included)
  • 4.9
  • (15 reviews and experiences)

[Nationwide Travel Support, Kagoshima Trip Vol. 4 Digital Coupon Available] *Only available when paying on site. Approximately 20 minutes from the airport towards Naze, we will take you around the Akaogi village in Tatsugo Town, mainly on back roads. Don't underestimate, there are forest roads and white sand beaches. This is a very exciting tour condensed into an hour and a half.

Recommended Feature Articles

[Amami Oshima Activities, Experiences, and Play] Fun for everyone from children to adults! Popular experience tour plan reservations and recommended shop information images
[Amami Oshima Activities, Experiences, and Fun] Fun for everyone from children to adults! Popular experience tour plan reservations rankings & recommended shop information
Updated on 2023/03/23
This article focuses on Amami Oshima, a remote island in Kagoshima Prefecture that continues to grow in popularity as a tropical resort island. We'll be introducing the top activities, leisure experiences, and fun activities on the island. We'll also be introducing the top booking rankings and recommended shops for popular outdoor activity tour plans, including canoeing and kayaking through the virgin mangrove forest and snorkeling in the blue Amami ocean.
Kyushu Kagoshima Amami Oshima Islands and Okinoerabu Island

Okinawa Activity Experience Tour Popularity Ranking

1 rank

Same-day reservations welcome! [Okinawa Blue Cave Snorkeling] ★ GoPro photo shoot and free gifts during the tour + free feeding!

Okinawa Diving Shop Sea Mall
Blue Cave, Onna Village
4,000 circle 900 yen ~ (tax included)
Discount campaign now underway!
  • 4.7
  • (2409 reviews and experiences)

[Very popular] We also hold the Blue Cave Pukupuku Snorkeling tour, open to people aged 2 to 70! → https://activityjapan.com/publish/plan/18400 Another plan: [All-day unlimited fun in the Blue Cave] Equipment rental service is now open! → https://activityjapan.com/pu

2 rank

[Miyakojima] Same-day reservations accepted up to one hour in advance! Boat tour of the "Phantom Uni Beach" with free drone photography. One hour on the beach! Mango campaign in progress. *For details, see the photo on the right.

Miyakojima YUKAALAmarine
Miyako Island (Irabu Island, Shimoji Island, Kurima Island, Ikema Island)
8,000 circle 5,500 yen ~ (tax included)
Discount campaign now underway!
  • 4.9
  • (608 reviews and experiences)

★★If you come to Miyakojima, you must visit "Yuni no Hama"★★ It's going viral on TikTok as "The Best Beach in Heaven"!! If you come to Miyakojima, this is a place you definitely want to visit! The famous Uni no Hama tour★ This performance is only possible because the captain and guide are from Miyakojima! It's a popular photo spot for influencers and models, and is also a popular spot for music videos! Create wonderful memories in Miyakojima

3 rank

[Okinawa, Motobu, Sesoko Island] Super popular! A safe 30-minute glass canoe sightseeing tour for everyone!

Okinawa Marine Studio
3,900 yen ~ (tax included)
  • 4.9
  • (23 reviews and experiences)

☆Free photo and video gift☆彡☆Free for children under 3 years old☆彡Let's take a leisurely sightseeing tour on an all-clear roofed glass canoe at Anchi Beach on Sesoko Island, which boasts some of the most beautiful ocean on the main island of Okinawa! While taking photos and chatting with everyone, you can get a close look at the corals and fish at your feet.

4 rank

Beginners welcome! Free underwater and flight photos! [Blue Cave Diving & Parasailing] A popular set course to enjoy the sky and sea! [Onna Village/Chatan]

Diving Shop Mensore (Okinawa diving mensore)
Blue Cave, Onna Village
18,600 circle 9,980 yen ~ (tax included)
Discount campaign now underway!
  • 4.5
  • (291 reviews and experiences)

The popular Blue Cave Diving and Parasailing course is now available as a set! You will receive free underwater and flight photos on the spot! *Free underwater photos will only be provided as data to your iPhone. For Android, a microSD card is required. If you leave your mobile phone or digital camera with the staff during the parasailing session, we will take photos for free.

5 rank

Miyakojima's most popular spot ★《100% encounter rate continues》 [Sea turtle snorkeling] You can even see clownfish! Rain or shine! Same-day access available ★ Free data ★ [Support for students]

nico Miyakojima
Miyako Island (Irabu Island, Shimoji Island, Kurima Island, Ikema Island)
7,500 circle 4,900 yen ~ (tax included)
Discount campaign now underway!
  • 4.8
  • (994 reviews and experiences)

《100% encounter rate! Sea turtle snorkeling tour》・You can also see clownfish and tropical fish.・We are extremely confident in your photos! They are sure to look great on social media♪・Of course, all data is provided free of charge. There is no limit on the number of photos!・Recommended for friends, couples, and even families.・It is a small group tour and takes place in shallow coastal waters, so it is safe even for small children.

Recommended Feature Articles

Okinawa Activity Recommended Experience Tours & Popular Ranking Images
Okinawa Activity Recommended Experience Tours & Popularity Rankings
Updated on 2024/04/08
Special feature on activities, leisure, experiences, and fun in Okinawa (main island and outlying islands)! We've got a complete introduction to "things you can enjoy in Okinawa," including popular rankings, recommended experience tours, and ways to enjoy winter and things other than the sea!
Okinawa Okinawa (main island) Miyako Island (Irabu Island, Shimoji Island, Kurima Island, Ikema Island) Canoeing and Kayaking Marine sports (ocean activities)

Which is cheaper, Amami Oshima or Okinawa?

" Amami Oshima and Okinawa Which is cheaper? I'm sure many people are researching travel expenses, such as:

of course, Varies greatly depending on travel plans Therefore, it is difficult to say which is cheaper.

The island is small Prices for hotels and food on Amami Oshima are low, making it easy to keep travel costs down. is located.

on the other hand Okinawa has a large number of low-cost carriers and budget travel tour packages. So you can choose a cheaper plan.

just, There are many leisure facilities and popular tourist destinations on Okinawa's main island, so spending may be more frequent. There is.

Whether it's Amami Oshima or Okinawa A budget-friendly travel schedule The key point is to establish

Similarities between Amami Oshima and Okinawa

Amami Oshima or Okinawa: Which is better? A comprehensive comparison of access, area, sightseeing, activities, and more!

In Japan A common thread: tropical resort islands have Amami Oshima and Okinawa .

That's all for now. The charms of Amami Oshima and Okinawa I think you understand now.

Amami Oshima and Okinawa The similarities are that they have beautiful natural scenery, such as the sea and forest areas. .

Also, The island has its own unique culture, dialect, gourmet food and local specialties. This is also one of the similarities between the two.

Amami Oshima and Okinawa are separate administrative divisions, Both islands are full of charm is.

Families, couples, friends, etc. Japan's world-famous tropical resort island Enjoy your trip.

*The content of this article is current as of August 2025.

Feature articles recommended by the editorial department

A thorough introduction to recommended Ishigaki Island activity tours and popular reservation rankings!
A thorough introduction to recommended experience tours and popular booking rankings for Ishigaki Island activities!
Updated on 2025/04/18
Special feature on Ishigaki Island activity experiences and local tours! Introducing recommended plans, reviews, and popular reservation rankings for marine sports activities, craft experiences, and more that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike!
Okinawa Okinawa (remote islands) Ishigaki Island
A thorough introduction to Miyakojima's recommended activities and popular reservation rankings!
A thorough introduction to Miyakojima's recommended activities and popular reservation rankings!
Updated on 2025/04/14
Special feature on Miyakojima activities! We introduce useful information for online reservations of Miyakojima activities that everyone from children to adults can enjoy, including recommended experience tours, reviews, and popularity rankings!
Okinawa Okinawa (remote islands) Miyako Island (Irabu Island, Shimoji Island, Kurima Island, Ikema Island) Marine sports (ocean activities)
Popular Iriomote Island Activities Ranking & Recommended Tour Company Reviews! Image
Popular Iriomote Island activity rankings and reviews of recommended tour companies!
Updated on 2024/04/05
Special feature on activities, leisure, experiences, and fun on Iriomote Island! We introduce popular rankings, top 5 recommended activities, and reviews and word-of-mouth from Iriomote Island tour companies! Check out useful information such as whether same-day reservations are possible, and recommended plans for children, infants, and those 65 and over!
Okinawa Okinawa (remote islands) Iriomote Island, Yubu Island, Barasu Island, Hatoma Island Canoeing and Kayaking
How to get to Amami Oshima | Images of access from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima
How to get to Amami Oshima | Access from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima
Updated on 2024/09/06
We explain how to get to Amami Oshima. We'll introduce how to get to Amami Oshima from Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Nagoya, along with estimated travel costs, recommended ways to get there, and activities you can enjoy on the island.
Kyushu Kagoshima Amami Oshima Islands and Okinoerabu Island SUP Marine sports (ocean activities)
Amami Gunto National Park tourist attractions, play, leisure featured images
Amami Gunto National Park Tourist Spots Activities Leisure Feature
Updated on 2022/10/17
This feature covers tourist spots in Amami Gunto National Park. This article introduces the mangroves and Amami rabbits, a natural monument, that inhabit Amami Gunto National Park, a popular area that includes Amami Oshima, which was registered as a World Heritage Site on July 26, 2021. It also introduces the prices and access to tourist spots. It also introduces the scope of Amami Gunto National Park and the activities and leisure activities you can experience nearby!
Kyushu Kagoshima Amami Oshima Islands and Okinoerabu Island
A comprehensive guide to getting to Yoron Island and popular tours!
A thorough introduction to how to get to Yoron Island and popular tours!
Updated on 2024/07/31
How to get to Yoron Island (Yoron Island) and popular tours! We'll introduce how to get there from Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya, etc. by plane or ferry, the cost (cost), the ferry travel time from Okinawa (Naha), and how to get around Yoron Island!
Kyushu Kagoshima Yoron Island
Search by activity / experience
Loading