Travel Planning - Explore Amami

Seasons & Climate

Seasons of Amami

Amami has more than just coastal scenery and beaches for swimming; there are also many places to experience Amami’s cultural activities, as well as traditional events. Plan to come during the season that best matches your interest.

	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December	January	February	March
Average temperature(℃)	19.8	22.7	26.0	28.7	28.4	26.8	23.7	20.2	16.5	14.8	15.2	17.1
Highest temperature(℃)	23.1	26.1	29.2	32.3	31.8	30.2	26.9	23.3	19.5	17.5	18.0	20.3
Lowest temperature(℃)	16.7	19.7	23.3	25.9	25.8	24.1	20.9	17.3	13.7	12.0	12.3	14.0
Rainfall(mm)	229.0	258.5	410.3	202.4	268.2	302.2	234.5	180.0	156.9	200.0	162.0	233.2

Amami Oshima’s Climate

Seasonal monsoons and the warm waters of the Kuroshio current give Amami Oshima a subtropical oceanic climate. The island is warm and humid year-round, with many rainy days. The average temperature is around 21°C, and the annual rainfall can reach up to 3,000 millimeters. Even in the winter months of January and February, the temperature rarely drops below 10°C. March and April are warmer and often rainy, but the true monsoon season begins in May and runs until the end of June. The summer months are hot and sunny, and most islanders prefer to stay indoors during the peak daylight hours Typhoon Alley Like most of Japan’s southern islands, Amami Oshima is located on the northbound route of tropical storms that form in the mid Pacific. From midsummer through fall, it is frequently hit by the strong winds and heavy rainfall of the worst of these storms, which become typhoons. While these can damage the island’s communities and infrastructure, they also ensure a consistent water supply throughout the year, and support the island’s lush foliage. The people of Amami Oshima are used to typhoon-related hardships, such as transportation delays and shortages of imported goods and services, but empty store shelves may catch visitors by surprise.

What to do in a Typhoon

Early Preperation

When typhoons reach Amami, ships are unable to operate as normal, and food deliveries to the island cease temporarily. As a result, islanders will usually stock up on essential supplies such as water, food, and daily essentials.

If your visit to Amami coincides with the arrival of a typhoon, it is strongly recommended that you take similar precautions, as stores may close or – more often – simply run out of stock.

Things to Prepare:

・Water (both for drinking and household use)

・Consider filling your accomodations’ bathtub in advance to use as utlility water (toilet, handwashing, etc) in the event running water ceases

・Prepare several plastic bottles’ worth of drinking water

・Food – several days’ worth, should be able to eat without heating in the event of gas/electrical outages

・Toilet paper; tissues; wet towels: medicine, etc.

・Flashlight/lantern, spare batteries, mobile battery for cell phones

When the Typhoon Arrives

・Consider the following for when a typhoon hits:

・Do not open the window during strong winds

・Avoid going onto balconies.

・Keep any items which may get blown away inside

・Consult hotel/accomodation staff if you have any concerns.

・Avoid going outside unless necessary.

If you are worried about your accomodation or otherwise need a safe place to go, all five municipalities on the island operate typhoon shelters. These are temporary stations placed across the island which are staffed by local government workers, and will give you a place to wait out the storm.

A map of the shelters can be found here: please be advised that this link only shows the shelters in Amami City , but they operate all across the island.

Helpful Resources

Wifi

Wifi is available at various points across the island, including most accomodations.

The Amahome Plaza, in downtown Amami City, is a municipal facility which offers free Wi-Fi to the public.

Disaster-related Information

Refer to the following link to access the Amami City Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Map (Web Ver., JP + ENG)

https://www.city.amami.lg.jp/somu/bosai/bosai/hazado.html

Emergency Contacts

・Police: 110

・Fire/Medical: 119

・JNTO Japan Visitor Hotline

・Multilingual call center which offers support for tourists during disasters：

050-3816-2787

Also consider using translation apps when necessary to communicate to those around you.

Contact Us

Amami Oshima Tourism & Products Federation 14-10 Naze Suehiro-cho, 1st Floor AiAi Hiroba, Amami-shi, Kagoshima Prefecture, JAPAN Hours: 9:00 – 18:00 Monday through Friday (Closed weekends & New Years) Tel: 0997-53-3240 Email: info@amami-tourism.org

Additional Links

FAQ

Q. How long should I stay in Amami?

It is generally recommended that visitors spend 3 days and two nights in Amami Oshima to ensure that visitors have enough time to experience as much as Amami as possible.Amami is larger than many people expect, and getting from one place to the next is time consuming because of the mountainous terrain that takes up most of the island. A shorter trip may leave people feeling unfulfilled due to these factors.

Q. Where is the best place to visit on Amami Oshima?

Amami Oshima offers a variety of attractions that have different appeals, so this question is actually difficult to answer. There are many scenic ocean views, adventurous mountain activities, engaging workshops that showcase Amami’s culture, and more; planning your trip according to your interests is the ideal way to travel around Amami. Please contact us for more specific information about different activities!

Q. What kind of accommodations does Amami Oshima have to offer?

Amami Oshima has everything from hostels to resorts. Some areas have more business style hotels, and bed & breakfasts are found in many smaller villages; there are also rental houses and villas. These accommodations fill up quickly during the summer travel season, so it is best to reserve in advance.

Q. How should I travel around the island?

Renting a car is recommended for those who wish to see as much of Amami Oshima as possible. There are also busses that run to main parts of the island, but travel time is considerably longer.

Q. When is the best season to visit Amami?

The peak travel season is the summer, but in terms of weather conditions, the spring (March to April) and autumn (October to November) are the most stable. Travelers need to be especially wary of typhoons, which usually occur in August and September. However, there are activities to enjoy year-round in Amami, so planning according to the activities that interest you is recommended. Have a look at the Seasons & Climate section for more information about the weather patterns of Amami.

Q. How can I access Amami Oshima?

There are direct flights to Amami Airport from many major cities around Japan, with three airlines operating currently. There are also ferries that travel to Amami, primarily from Kagoshima then down to Okinawa. See our Access Amami page for more information.

Q. Can I swim at any beach on the island?

Most beaches are swimmable, unless it is close to a port. However, certain beaches have stronger tides depending on the season and ocean conditions, so we recommend asking us or another tourism information center before swimming at a less well-known beach.

Q. Are there any dangerous animals to be cautious of?

The venomous Habu snake is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands, and many live on Amami Oshima. They are not common in highly populated areas like Naze, Amami City, but they can be found all over the island, even on beaches and especially in the mountains and sugarcane fields. Unprepared hiking is dangerous and not recommended. Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect you have been bitten by one.