Knowra Amami Ōshima Amami Ōshima Amami Ōshima is a subtropical island in Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, administered by Kagoshima Prefecture. Its distinctive ecosystems and cultural traditions reflect its position between Kyushu and Okinawa.
Ryukyu Islands : An island arc stretching southwest from Kyushu, Japan, toward Taiwan. Amami Ōshima is part of this island chain, between its northern and southern groups.
Amami Guntō National Park : A national park protecting islands, forests, wetlands, and coastal waters in the Amami archipelago. Its protected areas include important habitats on Amami Ōshima.
Kuroshio Current : A warm, fast ocean current flowing northward along Taiwan and Japan’s Pacific coast. Its warm waters influence the island’s marine environment and subtropical climate.
Ryukyu Kingdom : A kingdom that ruled the Ryukyu Islands from the fifteenth century until its annexation by Japan in 1879. Amami’s earlier ties to the kingdom left lasting cultural and historical connections.
Amami Islands : An island group in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, between Kyushu and Okinawa. Amami Ōshima is the largest island in this archipelago.
Amami Ōshima, Tokunoshima, northern Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island : A UNESCO World Heritage property comprising subtropical forests on four islands in southwestern Japan. Amami Ōshima is one of the four components recognized for their biodiversity.
Subtropical evergreen forests of the Ryukyu Islands : Broadleaf evergreen forests characteristic of the humid subtropical islands of the Ryukyu chain. These forests form much of Amami Ōshima’s terrestrial habitat.
Satsuma Domain : A powerful Japanese domain based in southern Kyushu during the Edo period. Satsuma took control of the Amami Islands in the early seventeenth century.
Kagoshima Prefecture : A prefecture in southwestern Japan encompassing southern Kyushu and several island groups. The island is governed as part of this prefecture.
Mangrove forests of Sumiyo : A mangrove ecosystem along the Sumiyo River on Amami Ōshima. Its tidal waterways support wildlife and provide a focus for nature tourism.
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