Request from Kenmun，a spirit in Amami's

folklore

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The Amami Islands Rules To enjoy nature of Amami-Oshima, Kikai, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabu,and Yoron Islands Request from Kenmun, a spirit in Amami’s folklore

Publisher: Nature Conservation Division, Environment and Forestry Affairs Department, Kagoshima Prefecture

First edition: March 2012Second edition: March 2019 10-1, Kamoike-Shinmachi, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture 890-8577Tel: 099-286-2111 (representative)Editing: Japan Wildlife Research CenterPictures: Futoshi Hamada, Katsuki Oki, Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health

and Environment, Japan Wildlife Research CenterDesign : artpost inc. Illustration: Yuko Horiki

To enjoy nature of Amami-Oshima, Kikai, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabu,and Yoron Islands

You are responsible for your own safety.

Enjoy!

Kagoshima Prefecture

To enjoy nature of Amami-Oshima, Kikai, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabu,and Yoron Islands

Request from Kenmun，a spirit in Amami's

folklore

The Amami Islands Rules

2 3

Contents

2 Introduction 4 Requests from Amami’s spirit, Kenmun 6 Must-see Nature Map 6 Northern Amami-Oshima Island 8 Southern Amami-Oshima Island 10 Kikai Island and Tokunoshima Island 12 Okinoerabu Island and Yoron Island 14 From island to island – Amami World Heritage Trail 　 16 How to enjoy the forests　 18 To protect nature of Amami 20 What you need to know when trekking/ hiking　 22 What you need to know when driving at night 24 How to enjoy mangrove forests and sea 　 26 What you need to know when visiting mangrove forests,

using canoes and observing sea turtles 28 What you need to know when sea bathing, diving and snor-

keling

30 What to wear and bring 32 What you need to know when visiting villagesDangerous creatures 34 Forests 36 Sea38 Contact in case of questions or trouble

World Heritage nominated property

National Park (Land area)National Park (Marine area) Kikai Island

Amami-Oshima Island

Tokunoshima Island

Okinoerabu Island

Yoron Island

The Amami Islands have precious, rich nature and were designated as a National Park in 2017. Amami-Oshima Island and Tokunoshima Island are nom-inated to be inscribed on the World Her-itage List along with the northern part of Okinawa Island and Iriomote Island. This booklet presents important infor-mation for tourists, in order to preserve nature of the Amami Islands forever. Please respect nature and culture of the Amami Islands and enjoy your trip.

Introduction

Forests

Sea

Amami jay

Mikyo Area (Tokunoshima Is.)

Requests from Amami's spirit, Kenmun

4 5

About KenmunKenmun is a spirit that is said to live in the boundaries of Amami’s nature and people’s lives. It is said to be small like a child, red-headed , its whole body is covered with hair, and has extremely long arms and legs. There has always been a story of witnessing him since old times. Folklores say that while he loves sumo-wrestling and helps people, sometimes he makes people get lost in the forests and takes out their eyes.

I'm Kenmun! I'm a spirit who has been living in the Amami Islands

since old times. People in the islands treat me with

awe and respect as "a guardian spir-it of mountains" and we have been

living together in harmony.

Nature in the Amami Islands, where I live, is rich and mysterious.

It is home to many rare animals and plants such as famous Amami rabbit

which can only be seen here.Please take your time to go around

the islands.

Don't litter the mountains and the sea, please take your litter with you. And never bring any animals and plants from other places, because they often harm native species of the Amami Islands and take over their habitats.

Forests, rivers and the sea of Amami are filled with animals and plants that you have never seen before.But if you are too absorbed, you might get lost.

There are many local guides who can take you to must-see sights while respecting the nature of Amami, so please try to walk with them.

I'm always somewhere in the nature of Amami. So open your eyes and listen carefully to find me. I'm always waiting for you!

My requests to the visitors

Northern Amami-Oshima IslandMust-see Nature Map

りゅうがく館

あまみ大島観光物産連盟

自然観察の森入口

ケンムン村

太陽が丘総合運動公園

Amami City

Amami CityTatsugo Town

Tokunoshima,Okinoerabu,Yoron and Okinawa Islands Kagoshima City, Kikai Island

Naze New PortAmami Airport

Kohama Campsite Amami Museum

Akasaki Park

Ogamiyama Park

Kinsakubaru Forest

Isson Tanaka’s Last Residence

Authentic Amami-Oshima Tsumugi Textile Park

Ohama Seaside Park

Amami Seaside Museum

Cycads CommunityBasho Community

Saigo NanshuResidence Remains

Amami Nature Observation Forest

Kurasaki Beach

Cape Gamouzaki Park

Cape Kasarizaki

Cape Ayamaru Park

Tomori Beach

Ose Beach

Amami Park

Amami City Local Market and Rest Area

Ushuku Shell Mound Park

Amami City Folk Heritage Museum

Tebiro Beach

Gentle, beautiful coastlines can be seen from the center to the north-ern part of Amami-Oshima Island. There are subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests, rivers with rare species, and coral reefs.

Yoron Town

品覇海岸

伊前

尾道遊歩道

那間

寺崎

砂美地来館総合グランド

寺崎海岸

黒花海岸

前浜海岸

瀬名

古里

出毛朝戸

按司根津栄神社

西区

船倉海岸

大金久キャンプ場

チチヒナ離

サンセットビーチ

皆田海岸木根名

増木名

叶

源手名

茶花港

幸名波

屋舎

供利

立長

伊波

伊伝辻宮

城

屋川 東区

赤崎

ハミゴー

茶花海岸

〒

〒

ウドノス海岸

ユンヌ楽園

赤崎鍾乳洞

アマンジョー

与論民俗村

フンチュ崎百合ヶ浜グラスボート

ゆんぬ・あーどぅる焼窯元

茶花

賀義野

宇勝宇勝海岸

メーラビビーチ

賀補呂がぶろう

いいまえ

い　ば ぐすく

与論町役場※

ハキビナ海岸

与論十五夜踊り

ヨロン島観光協会

Okinoerabu Island(Wadomari port)

Okinawa Island

Yoron Port

Yoron Airport

Sea PalaceAmami Wreck

Kanebo Beach

Yoron Station

Southern Cross CenterRuins of Yoron Castle

Kotohira ShrineYunnu Taikenkan (Learning Hall)

Akasaki Beach

Oganeku Beach/Yurigahama Beach

Minata Rock

LegendMunicipal borderTrunk roadMajor roadSub-major roadOther roadRiverCoral reef

Triangulation station, spot elevationTunnelMunicipal officeAirportPortPost office

Amami-Oshima Island (6-9P)Kakeroma Island (8P)Yoro Island

Kikai Island (10P)

Tokunoshima Island (11P)Okinoerabu Island (12P)

Yoron Island (13P)

Amami Islands

Uke Island

Yakushima Island

Okinawa Island

Tanegashima Island

Kagoshima City

Roads in the mountains are narrow. Be careful not to run off the road.6 7