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North of Amami Oshima: A Cape and Beach Near the Airport, and Exploring Kinsakubaru Forest with a Guide

Amami Airport is situated along the coast in Kasari Town, near the northern tip of Amami Oshima. Within about 15 minutes by car from the arrival lobby, you’ll find one cape overlooking a coral reef sea and one white sandy beach. In the central mountain area of Naze, there is a subtropical forest where lush hikagehego (a type of tree fern) grows.

This article covers these three spots. The cape and beach can be visited without a reservation. The forest can only be entered by joining a tour with a certified guide.

Ayamaru Cape: A Rounded Cape and the Horizon of Kikai Island

Ayamaru Cape projects into the Pacific Ocean on the northeastern side of Kasari. Its name comes from the rounded shape of the landform, which resembles a “mari”—a traditional woven ball with an intricate pattern. The cape is about a 14-minute drive from Amami Airport.
Discover Town listing for Ayamaru Cape Park

The area around the cape is surrounded by coral reefs, with extensive groves of sago palm (sotetsu) stretching below. On clear days, you can see Kikai Island on the eastern horizon.

The site is maintained as “Ayamaru Cape Tourist Park,” featuring a tourist information center, a café, restrooms, and showers. Admission is free.

  • Tourist Information Center: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Mishoran CAFE: 9:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. (last order)
  • Open year-round (closed temporarily as needed)
  • Parking available / Bus stop “Ayamaru Cape” (Shima Bus)
  • Inquiries: 0997-63-8885

Source: Amami Oshima Tourism Federation: “Ayamaru Cape” (Accessed October 7, 2026)

Tomori Beach (About 6 Minutes by Car from the Airport)

Tomori Beach is located in Usuku, Kasari Town. It is the closest to Amami Airport among the three spots, about a 6-minute drive away.
Discover Town listing for Tomori Beach

Beyond the white sandy beach lies a shallow coral reef sea. Restrooms are available, and instead of showers, a hose is provided for rinsing off. The parking lot holds about 10 cars, so during busy periods visitors may need to wait for a spot.

  • Parking: Available (approx. 10 spaces)
  • Inquiries: 0997-63-1111 (Kasari Town Industry Promotion Division)

Source: Amami Oshima Tourism Federation: “Tomori Beach” (Accessed October 7, 2026)

How to Use the Beach

Because it is close to the airport, many visitors stop by Tomori Beach either during spare time after arrival or before their departing flight. Whether you swim depends on the sea conditions of the day and local notices.

Kinsakubaru Forest (Entry with a Certified Guide’s Tour)

Kinsakubaru is a forest located in Asato, Naze in Amami City. It is a subtropical forest characterized by giant hikagehego tree ferns, home to many endemic species of Amami and plants and animals designated as national natural monuments.
Discover Town listing for Kinsakubaru

Unlike the cape and beach, there are rules for entering this forest. Since February 27, 2019, the following use rules have applied:

  • Entry only allowed on paid tours accompanied by a certified Amami Islands ecotour guide
  • The walking route is about 2 km one-way, from the Trident Parking Lot to the giant Okinawa Urajiro Oak tree
  • A maximum of 10 vehicles per time slot and up to 9 participants per tour; reservations required
  • As of October 28, 2024, charter buses cannot use the forestry road Chinanase Line or the farm road Chinanase Line; those arriving by bus must transfer to the guide’s car or taxi

There are no parking lots or restrooms at the site. A list of certified guides is available on the Amami Islands Wide Area Administrative Union website.

Sources:

How to Schedule a Tour

Visits to Kinsakubaru depend on the guide’s available dates and times. Because there are limits on the number of vehicles and participants, you should reserve the tour first, then plan visits to the cape and beach before or after the forest tour.

Geographical Relationship of the Three Spots

Both Ayamaru Cape and Tomori Beach are located in Kasari Town, where the airport is situated. Kinsakubaru is on the Naze side near the center of the island and accessed by the guide’s vehicle. Plan to allocate about half a day for the forest tour.

Photo (Ayamaru Cape): Courtesy of Amami Oshima Tourism Federation

(Information in this article is current as of October 8, 2026)

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