Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island Nature Reserve

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island is a transnational natural site in southwestern Japan inscribed in 2021 for its subtropical forests and high levels of endemism. The property covers multiple islands in the Ryukyu archipelago with distinctive forest ecosystems.

The inscribed islands host evergreen broadleaf forests, mangroves and varied coastal and inland habitats that support a suite of endemic species, including the Amami rabbit and the Iriomote cat. Forested ridges, karst landscapes and riparian corridors form critical habitat patches and ecological gradients.

Conservation measures on the islands aim to protect remaining forest cover and the habitats of restricted-range species; threats include habitat fragmentation and invasive species. Scientific monitoring focuses on population status for key endemic animals.

The islands lie in the Ryukyu chain in southwestern Japan, scattered between Kyushu and Taiwan, and are reached by regional air and ferry links from Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures.

• Endemic species: Contains several endemic mammals and reptiles, notably the Amami rabbit on Amami-Oshima and the Iriomote cat on Iriomote, making it a biodiversity priority.

What to See#

• Amami-Oshima: Amami-Oshima, with subtropical evergreen forest and endemic fauna including the Amami rabbit restricted to these islands.
• Tokunoshima: Tokunoshima Island, with limestone and forested habitats supporting several endemic plant and animal species.
• Northern Okinawa (Yanbaru): The northern part of Okinawa Island (Yanbaru), a contiguous area of subtropical forest important for native bird and reptile species.
• Iriomote: Iriomote Island, noted for its mangroves, inland waterways and the endemic Iriomote cat that occurs only on this island.

These are four separate islands/areas in southwestern Japan; access is by a mix of domestic flights, ferries and roads. Amami Ōshima and Tokunoshima are served by local airports (Amami Airport and Tokunoshima Airport) with regular domestic flights from Kagoshima and Naha (Okinawa); from those airports you can rent a car or take local buses/taxis to points on the islands. Iriomote is reached via Ishigaki - fly to New Ishigaki Airport and then take a ferry or high-speed boat from Ishigaki Port to ports on Iriomote (ferries operate regularly). The northern (Yanbaru) area of Okinawa Island is reached from Naha: fly into Naha Airport, then drive or take intercity buses north into Yanbaru (road travel from Naha is the usual option) and use local buses or taxis to reach trailheads and temples. Omit specific bus numbers because services vary by island and season; check current domestic flight and ferry timetables on arrival.

• Aim for spring (April-May) or autumn (October-November) and visit early in the morning: these seasons avoid the peak summer typhoon heat and holiday crowds, and mornings are best for seeing endemic forest birds and quieter coastal areas.
• Plan island-to-island logistics and book ferries/flight legs well in advance during Japanese holiday periods (Golden Week and Obon) - inter-island connections are limited and sell out quickly, especially to Iriomote and Tokunoshima.
• Most visitors concentrate on beaches and mangrove boat tours; to see more of the World Heritage values, add guided inland walks or eco-tours that focus on native subtropical forest, limestone caves and traditional village sites, which are less visited.
• When on the smaller islands, use local visitor centers or certified eco-guides to reach protected habitats and to ensure you follow access rules (many zones restrict independent access to protect rare species).