| | |
|---|---|
| From Tokyo: | approx. 3 hr |
| From Kagoshima: | approx. 1-13 hr |
| From Naha: | approx. 1-13 hr |
How to Get There
Amamigunto National Park encompasses parts of eight islands and their surrounding waters in southern Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu. Visit the park to swim and dive in crystal blue seas, hike and kayak through subtropical forests, and observe migrating birds and unique island wildlife. Visitors can explore the islands by bus or rental car.
From Tokyo
Flights operate from Haneda Airport or Narita Airport to Amami Airport (2 hr 40 min) on Amami Oshima, the largest of the Amami Islands. Once you’ve arrived, you can rent a car from one of the companies near the airport. If you prefer public transportation, Shima Bus offers bus service between central Amami City (also known as Naze) and the airport, as well as other parts of the island. To reach Amami City from the airport by car or bus takes 45 minutes and 60 minutes, respectively.
From Kagoshima
Several flights per day operate between Kagoshima Airport and Amami Airport on Amami Oshima (approx. 60 min), Kagoshima Airport and Tokunoshima Airport on Tokunoshima Island (approx. 60 min), as well as Kagoshima Airport and Kikai Airport on Kikaijima Island (approx. 80 min). Two ferry companies, Marix Line and A-Line Ferry, operate boats that island-hop along the Amami Island archipelago, starting in Kagoshima and ending in Naha, Okinawa. The stops in Amamigunto National Park are Naze Port on Amami Oshima, Kametoku Port on Tokunoshima, Wadomari Port on Okinoerabu Island, and Yoron Port on Yoron Island. The trip between Kagoshima and Amami Oshima takes about 11 hours.
From Naha
JAL offers flights that connect Naha Airport and Amami Airport (60 min), Naha Airport and Yoron Airport (40 min), as well as Naha Airport and Okinoerabu Airport (55 min). Two ferry companies, Marix Line and A-Line Ferry, operate boats that island-hop along the Amami Island archipelago, starting in Naha and ending in Kagoshima. The stops in Amamigunto National Park are Yoron Port on Yoron Island, Wadomari Port on Okinoerabu Island, Kametoku Port on Tokunoshima, and Naze Port on Amami Oshima. The trip between Naha and Amami Oshima takes about 13 hours.
Getting Around
The ferry companies Marix Line and A-Line Ferry offer daily service between some of the islands of Amamigunto National Park. The stops are Naze Port on Amami Oshima, Kametoku Port on Tokunoshima, Wadomari Port on Okinoerabu Island, and Yoron Port on Yoron Island. It takes about two hours to travel between each pair of ports along the route. A JAL subsidiary also operates flights between Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Yoron Island, and Okinoerabu Island. Amami Oshima is the largest of the islands. Amami City, also known as Naze, is located in the northern part of the island, while smaller Setouchi City is in the south. The Shima Bus company offers service throughout the island but is concentrated on the roads linking the airport, Amami City and Setouchi. Public transportation is scarce on other islands such as Tokunoshima and Yoron Island, so a car is convenient to avoid bus-schedule concerns.