Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
irregular coastline gives it an expansive circumference of 265 miles (426 kilometers). The is-
land's highest point is Mt Yūwan (
湯湾岳
; Yūwan-daké), which rises to a height of 2,277 feet
(694 meters).
Marix Line's “Queen Coral 8” on its way around the Anami Island chain.
In addition to being the largest Amami Island by area, Ōshima is by far the largest
Amami in terms of population. Ōshima has approximately 66,000 residents, a number that
dwarfs the populations of all the other Amamis combined. A large majority of the inhabitants
(47,000) live in the main city of Amami (
奄美市
; Amami-shi), which is located on the island's
northwest side. Prior to 2006 the city was known as Nazé (
名瀬
; Nazé), but it was renamed
after its merger with two surrounding towns, Kasari (
笠利町
; Kasari-chō) and Sumiyō (
住用
村
; Sumiyōson). Many people still refer to Amami City as Nazé and that's what the port is
almost always called.
The city has plenty of good hotels and restaurants and is especially lively after dark. There
is a host of bars and clubs downtown, all located within easy walking distance of one anoth-
er, where anyone can pleasantly spend a few evenings. The people are friendly and don't see
many Western tourists. In virtually every pub and club, you'll be asked where you are from
and what you are doing in Nazé.
Amost all of Amami-Ōshima (
奄美大島
; Amami-Ō-shima) is mountainous. In fact, over
90 percent of the island is covered in dense vegetation and only a small percentage is level
enough to support sugar cane growing or other agriculture. Luckily for golfers, there's one
nicely created carve-out of the jungle just for them. Only a few miles north of Nazé, there's
a beautifully sited club, the Amami-Ōshima Country Club, high in the hills overlooking the
East China Sea. Day passes are available, but of course it's easier to ask on weekdays. On
