Okinoerabu Island

First, we heard from the owner of this activity about what kind of place Amami Oshima is. He carefully explained the island's geographical features, the culture that has developed over its long history, and the relationship between nature and human life. This experience allowed us to appreciate the depth of Amami, which goes beyond simply being "beautiful nature." Learning about the island's unique ecosystem and its history greatly deepened my understanding of the experience that followed. Next, we strolled through privately owned forests and fields. It was an invaluable experience, listening to detailed explanations of the names and characteristics of each plant and its ecosystem. Along the way, we even had a moment to lie down in the forest and meditate surrounded by the sounds of nature. It was a mystical experience, as if we were in another world. Since I'm not used to meditating, there were some moments when I felt a bit nervous, but even that made it a memorable experience, as a time to connect with myself in nature. I highly recommend this experience for anyone who enjoys relaxation. Then, there was the main activity: canoeing. It was my first time canoeing, but the detailed explanation at the beginning made me feel at ease. I was a little nervous when we started paddling, but once we entered the mangroves, I felt instantly at ease, and the calm waters made it easy to maneuver. The stories about the structure and creatures of the mangroves were very interesting, and I was constantly surprised and said, "I see!" I was excited from start to finish, and was able to experience firsthand the richness of Amami Oshima's nature. Throughout this tour, where I was able to enjoy conversation and listen to knowledgeable explanations, I truly felt that I wanted to learn more about Amami Oshima and that I wanted to participate in this activity again. The time allocation and experience content were well thought out, making this a tour that I can safely recommend even to first-time visitors.