Discover the rich biodiversity of Amami Oshima’s forests through immersive exhibits

The Amami-Oshima World Heritage Conservation Center introduces the diverse flora and fauna of Amami Oshima’s subtropical forests, from its labyrinthine mangroves to its widespread laurel forests. The island’s forests are a habitat for many endemic and rare species, including Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species. Amami Oshima is part of the Amamigunto National Park and is registered as World Natural Heritage alongside Tokunoshima and parts of Okinawa. At the center, visitors can learn about the significance of this World Natural Heritage site.

In the entrance foyer, colorful, storybook-like murals introduce the development of Amami Oshima’s diverse ecosystem. The exhibition room has life-sized dioramas of forest vegetation and rare animal species such as the Amami rabbit. The Amami rabbit is a relict species with short ears, dark fur, and hunched back only found on Amami Oshima and neighboring Tokunoshima Island. As visitors walk through the venue, sounds of birdsong, chirping insects, and rainfall play in the background while striking footage of Amami Oshima’s mountain streams and cloud-and mist-covered forests are shown on large, wall-mounted projection screens.

The center has a gift shop selling a range of souvenirs including t-shirts from a local brand called Devadurga. Devadurga uses traditional dorozome (mud-dyeing) techniques from Amami Oshima on their fabrics.