24.March.2026
After the February blooming of the island's sakura, temperatures are rising and Amami's spring season is on the horizon. This comfortable season before the summer heat offers a great opportunity to get out and explore the island's outdoors. Here are some must-see spots to check out the island this season!
Taenhama Beach - Uken Village
Located in Amami's far southwest, Taenhama is far removed even from Uken's village center - making it one of Amami's best-kept secrets and a great off-the-beaten-path destination for swimming. Its bright blue water and mountaious surroundings make for an unforgettable sight, even just watching from shore.
The beach also gives an excellent view of nearby Edatekujima, a large desert island located just across the bay. Uninhabited by humans, it is instead famous for a large population of snakes. But don't worry - they don't swim out far enough to disturb your swimming!
Depending on your tolerance for cooler water, you could hit the beach as early as the beginning of March, but locals usually consider April the beginning of swimming season. If the weather is right, what better way to celebrate the end of winter than a dip in such beautiful water?
Ongachi and Yamatohama - Yamato Village
These two districts form the center of Yamato Village, and offer lots of history, rural charm, and natural beauty which perfectly complement the spring season.
In a rare departure from the usual pattern of Amami communities, Ongachi has not just one, but two shrines located in town. Takachiho Shrine was built in 1869 as the village shrine. Hiratomi Shrine, built just next door in 1882, is dedicated to Sunao Kawachi, a 17th-century figure who introduced sugar cane to Amami. Not only do these shrines go back far in dates, but have important connections to Amami's unique history, making them well worth a visit.
Okinawa Urajiogashi Forest
This, trail, accessible from the outskirts of Yamatohama, will bring you up to a trail through the woods, up high in the hills overlooking the town. The forest's name comes from the species of tree which it houses - Quercus miyagii - an oak native to the Ryukyu Islands. The mountain on which the forest is found, known as Takinokoyama (滝川山) , has been revered and thus protected from logging by the locals.
As a result, many of the old oaks are still thriving in the forest, and a few are centerpieces of the trail's route.
The climb to see them isn't trivial, but the scenery makes it more than worth it.
Of course, the view of the town is another reward for the ascension.
This hike offers an amazing chance to experience Amami's unique subtropical environments, and spring is the best time to visit, when the temperatures are relatively low.
The spring season is just beginning to bloom in full: going into April, be sure to get out and enjoy the pleasant weather, and all that Amami Oshima has to offer!
