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Soaring Above Paradise: An Amami Paragliding Adventure

With its lush greenery, pristine beaches, and vibrant marine life, Amami Oshima is a subtropical paradise perfect for exploring. While there are various activities to take you into the depths of the forests or down into its enchanting waters, only paragliding gives the thrill of a unique, bird’s eye view while soaring in the island wind.

Planning

As the wind is integral to paragliding, weather plays a major role in planning when to do this activity. Middle to late summer is the main season for paragliding as the weather is generally more stable. Interestingly enough, most of Amami's paragliding spots are located in Kasari and Tatsugo towns rather than the more mountainous southern part of the island. One of the reasons for this is simply that the weather is usually clearer on the northern end.

For my paragliding adventure, I chose to paraglide at Ankyaba in Tatsugo with Aimi Paraglider School (see end of article for information). There are a couple of different paragliding services and take-off locations, so please research which one is the best fit for you.

When you have a general idea of what you want, you need to talk to a guide to find a date that may work. I would recommend planning to stay in Amami for at least a few days. That way, if you are unable to paraglide on the original date due to weather conditions, you can easily reschedule. When making the reservation be sure to know your weight in kilograms so the instructor can make a note to prepare the equipment accordingly.

The Journey Begins

The day of my adventure began with a car ride to the paragliding location, a hilltop overlooking the small ocean-side village called Ankyaba. From Naze, the journey was about 40 minutes. Our guide, Aimi, met us once we arrived at the town. She checked the landing area and windsock before leading us up the road to get to the take-off point. Being with such a seasoned paraglider with years of experience reassured me as she gave us a briefing on safety and what to expect.

After being strapped into my harness and going through final checks, we were finally ready for liftoff! I was surprised by how quickly the wind caught the canopy and took us up into the air with only a few steps.

The Thrill of Flight

As we lifted higher into the sky, the island unfolded beneath us. The patchwork of small homes and the surrounding harmony of the island's natural green and blue beauty created a peaceful beginning. As we glided further away, I could see past the lift-off point over to the opposite side of the mountain of green, painting a picture of the island's vibrant ecosystem.

The unique views and pleasant feel of the wind made me forget all of my nervousness at paragliding for the first time. While I thought I had seen most of the town from the road, I was proven wrong as the guide pointed out sights only visible from this new perspective.

A small lighthouse usually hidden behind the mountains

While fun, exciting discoveries were abundant, my guide also pointed out some less joyous sights. She explained that the brown areas marking the mountains are ‘sotetsu’ sago palms that are, unfortunately, recovering from a recent disease that devastated many of the island’s iconic plants. I wish to visit this scenic spot again once the sago palms have fully regained their former beauty.

Brown area of leafless sotetsu

Leaving the mountainside, we soared above the glistening waters of the ocean—a completely different experience from flying on an airplane or looking over from a viewpoint. While it would not be the best time to discover a fear of heights, it's the perfect time to find a new love for windborne adventures.

A Perfect Landing

After what felt like both an eternity and just a few minutes, we began our descent. The landing was smooth, albeit a little sandy, but I was ecstatic that I had finally accomplished this one-of-a-kind experience. I had soared above one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, and it was an experience I will never forget.

Tips for Your Paragliding Adventure

Best Time to Go: Tandem paragliding experiences through the Aimi Paraglider School can be reserved from March to November. The weather on Amami Oshima is typically best for paragliding from July to September, when the skies are mostly clear. However, be aware that typhoons also occur in the summer months, so plan ahead for any situation.

What to Bring:
・Comfortable protective clothing, such as shirts with long sleeves, long pants, and gloves to protect yourself in the case of a rough landing or takeoff
・Sunscreen and sunglasses
・A camera to capture the views
・And, finally, a sense of adventure!

I also recommend getting a phone or camera strap to attach to the harness so you can easily take photos without fear of dropping anything into the forest or waters below.

Safety First: Always fly with a certified instructor and follow all safety guidelines. If you are an experienced paraglider with your own JHF flyer registration card or JPA pilot membership card, you can also make a reservation to receive guide support to safely explore the island.

Overall, paragliding on Amami can be a great experience even for beginners! I would recommend knowing basic Japanese, or at least having some paragliding experience if your Japanese level isn’t very high. Feel free to reach out to one of the paragliding services on the island to see if this adventure is right for you!

Concluding Thoughts

Paragliding on Amami Oshima was more than just an adrenaline rush; it was a way to connect with the natural beauty of the island. As a first-time paraglider, I was a bit nervous and didn't completely know what to expect. However, I found it an exciting yet peaceful experience that encapsulated the beauty of the island. If you're looking for an adventure that combines thrill with tranquility, I can't recommend paragliding here enough!

So, are you ready to take the leap and see Amami Oshima from a whole new perspective? Trust me, it's an experience you won't want to miss.

Additional Information

This article was written based on the experience of paragliding with Minako Aimi from Aimi Paraglider School:
・http://amami-aimi.com/