Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gangplank on to an “A” Line ferry.
Culturally, the islands are quite distinct, being neither tropical Okinawan nor exactly the
same as mainland Japan. Gravesites and tombs, for example, are in the style of the main-
land and not the “turtleback” style of Okinawa. Yet, the Amami dialect of Japanese language
is within the group of Ryukyuan languages, not mutually intelligible with Japanese nor, for
that matter, with other Ryukyuan dialects. The “separateness” of the Amamis, as with most
of the Ryukyu Islands, goes back hundreds, if not several thousands, of years and includes an
eight-year occupation by the United States after World War II. The US returned control of
the neighboring Tokara Islands in February of 1952 and the Amamis on December 25, 1953.
It held Okinawa and the southern islands until 1972. Upon the Amamis' return to Japan, they
became part of Kagoshima Prefecture.
The largest island in the Amami-shotō is Amami-Ōshima ( 奄美大島 ; Ō-shima literally
means “Big Island”), and at approximately 38 miles (60 kilometers) in length is one of the
largest islands in the Ryukyus. Its main city, formerly and still sometimes called Nazé ( 名瀬 ;
Nazé) but now properly known as Amami City ( 奄美市 ; Amami-shi), is the transportation
hub where most ferries and airline services are found.
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