THE AMAMI ISLANDS - Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands - page 92

which is located on the northeasternmost corner of that island, and the Kikai Airport ( 喜
界空港 ; Kikai-kūkō), which is on the southwest side of Kikai. It follows therefore, that it's a
short flight between the two islands, about 15 minutes, three times a day. Flying time to Ka-
goshima on the Japanese “mainland,” is a little further, about one hour. There are one or two
flights a day there.
“Mattress” (tatami) class aboard the “A” Line's Kikai.
As the crow flies, it's 27 miles (43 kilometers) east-west between Nazé, Amami and Kikai
Town, both of which are located next to their respective seaports. However, ships don't fly
like crows. By ferry, over the ocean route, around the top northern end of Ōshima and then
back down to Kikai, it's closer to 45 miles (72 kilometers) and takes about two hours in good
weather. There are five sailings a week in both directions on the “A” Line Ferry ( マルエー ;
Maru-A) service. The twin ships, the Amami and the Kikai , make the run.
As with all things ferry-related, things change. So it always pays to double and triple
check, but here's how the service has been operating for the last several years. Five days a
week, Monday through Friday, either the Amami or the Kikai departs Kagoshima North Sea
Terminal at 5:30 PM . It's about a 238-mile (380-kilometer) cruise, so it takes all night. The
ships arrive non-stop at Kikai's Wan Port the next morning at either 4:30 or 5:30 AM .
Half an hour later, at 5:00 or 6:00 AM , Tuesday through Saturday, the “A” Line departs and
cruises approximately two hours over the northern end of Amami-Ōshima to Nazé Port ( 名
瀬港 ; Nazé-kō). A half hour later, at approximately 7:30 or 8:30 AM , the ships depart Nazé and
head southwest along Amami's west coast, then turn east through the Ōshima Strait that di-
vides Amami from Kakeromajima, and arrive in the southern Amami port of Koniya ( 古仁
屋 ; Koniya). Altogether, it's about 45 miles (72 kilometers) and takes two and a quarter hours.
The ships arrive at approximately 9:45 or 10:45 AM , respectively.
Fifteen minutes later, at about 10:00 or 11:00 AM , the Amami or Kikai departs and heads
south to Hetono ( 平土野 ; Hétono), the west side port on the island of Tokuno. That sailing