【世界遺産】奄美大島・徳之島・沖縄島北部及び西表島を完全解剖！

Amami Oshima, located exactly halfway between the main islands of Kagoshima and Okinawa, is the third largest island in Japan and is mostly covered in forest. The mangrove forest is one of the famous tourist spots, but apart from nature, the island is also home to traditional culture such as the shamisen, island songs, and Oshima Tsumugi silk.
Tokunoshima, located southwest of Amami Oshima, is an island famous for bullfighting and longevity. Its beautiful coastal scenery, including the Cycad Tunnel and Observation Deck at Kanamizaki, Inu no Mongaita (Dog's Gate Cover), and Aze Prince Beach, are must-sees.

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One of the main reasons for the area's inscription on the World Heritage List is that it is home to precious endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna.
The subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests of Amami Oshima are home to endemic and rare plants and animals such as the Amami rabbit, blue jay, and Amami calanthe.
Tokunoshima is home to endemic species such as the banded gecko, the Tokunoshima spiny rat, and the Tokunoshima knotweed.

The northern part of Okinawa Island is the area of "Yanbaru National Park", and as the name "Yanbaru" suggests, the forest of subtropical evergreen forest spreads. There are tourist spots with magnificent nature such as Mt. Oishirin, Hiji Waterfall, and Hirugi Forest. At the "Kuina Forest" in Kunigami Village, you can observe Yanbaru Kuina up close.
Most of Iriomote Island is subtropical evergreen forest and is designated as "Iriomote Ishigaki National Park". It is an unexplored island that is home to many rare creatures and is said to be the "Galapagos of the East". Activities such as canoeing, trekking, and snorkeling, as well as sightseeing of Yufu Island by water buffalo cart.

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One of the main reasons for its designation as a World Natural Heritage Site is that it is home to valuable endemic species and endangered flora and fauna.
In the forests of northern Okinawa Island (subtropical evergreen forests), there are endemic species such as the flyless Yanbaru Kuina, the Noguchigera, the Horned Rat, and the Yanbaru Taiko Mouse.
Iriomote Island is home to endemic species such as Iriomote Cat and the Yaeyama seaweed tortoise.

Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, northern Okinawa, and Iriomote Island can only be reached by plane or boat, and are truly unexplored regions with untouched nature. When visiting, please be sure to follow the rules of the local areas and each facility while enjoying the beautiful nature.