Overview

Mt. Yuwandake is Amami-Oshima’s tallest mountain, rising 694 meters in the western part of the island. According to legend, Amamiko and Shinireku, the two deities who founded Amami-Oshima, descended from the heavens to this peak, which is still considered sacred by islanders. The mountain is blanketed by a subtropical broadleaf forest. The harsh winds that pummel the area may stunt the trees’ growth, but underneath the canopy of chinquapin oak and needlewood trees, the rich forest floor is the habitat for many of the island’s endemic plant and animal species, including wild gingers, orchids, mosses, and berries. Bird calls from the trees announce the presence of Amami jays, Amami thrushes, and numerous other wild bird species.

Let's walk through the dense rainforest at the base of Mt. Yuwandake , the highest peak on Amami Oshima . The impressive cluster of large epiphytic ferns called Bird’s nest fern are a spectacular sight. Let nature reset your mind !