Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 3
THE AMAMI ISLANDS
吐噶喇列島
Splendid vistas, rugged coasts
1
Amami-Ōshima
奄美大島
2
Kakeromajima
加計呂麻島
3
Kikaijima or Kikaigashima
喜界島
4
Tokunoshima
徳之島
5
Iōtorishima
硫黄鳥島
6
Okinoerabujima
沖之永良部島
7
Yoronjima
与論島
Compared to the previous Tokara Islands, most of the Amami Islands (
奄美諸島
; Amami-
shotō) seem almost gigantic, though of course this is only relative. There are eight inhabited
islands and several semi-inhabited or uninhabited ones worth mentioning. Starting from the
north, the chain begins with Amami-Ōshima, the largest island in the group, located 235 miles
(375 kilometers) south of Kagoshima City, which is situated on mainland Japan's southern-
most Kyushu Island. From there, the Amami chain stretches some 125 miles (200 kilometers)
south to Yoron-tō, which lies just above the northern tip of Okinawa at Cape Hedo. Although
geographically and geologically a part of the Ryukyu Archipelago, politically the Amamis are
located in Kagoshima Prefecture, along with the Tokara and Ōsumi groups. Thus, on a map of
Okinawa or, more specifically, of Okinawa Prefecture, you won't find them.
