The Amami City Museum (奄美市立奄美博物館), which opened in July 1987, is the sole comprehensive museum representing the entire Amami archipelago. Reopened after a full renovation in 2019, the museum emphasizes an “environmental‑culture” approach, blending rigorous academic research with a celebration of Amami’s unique traditions and ecosystems.
What Makes the Museum Unique
The Amami City Museum plays a key role in helping visitors understand the deep connection between nature and culture that defines Amami Oshima—an island officially recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site since 2021. Through vivid exhibits, the museum explores how Amami’s unique subtropical ecosystems have shaped local traditions, livelihoods, and ways of life across generations. It also highlights the island’s cultural identity, which blends influences from mainland Japan, the Ryukyu Kingdom, and the Satsuma Domain—creating a heritage that is uniquely “Amami,” yet historically and geographically connected to Okinawa.
Exhibition Galleries
1st Floor – Amami Nurtured by the Kuroshio Current
As you step into the first floor, your eyes are immediately drawn to a striking display of large wooden boats suspended from the ceiling. These vessels—crafted and used across different historical periods—illustrate how local boatmaking evolved in response to the sea conditions around Amami, shaped by the powerful Kuroshio Current.
The exhibit also features an introduction to Shima-uta, the traditional folk songs of Amami, with explanations of their rhythms, meanings, and cultural significance. Visitors can even touch and try a Chijin drum, a hand-held instrument used to accompany these soulful island songs, making the experience both educational and interactive.
2nd Floor – Amami Nurtured by Boundary History
The second floor presents a chronological journey through the history of Amami Oshima, from ancient times to the present day. Artifacts excavated from archaeological sites are thoughtfully arranged to trace the island’s development across different eras.
Visitors can discover tools and everyday items once used in rituals, farming, cooking, and traditional crafts. Detailed dioramas recreate scenes from the past, allowing you to imagine what life was like in Amami’s villages generations ago. The exhibition showcases how culture, trade, and governance evolved in this borderland region influenced by both mainland Japan and the Ryukyu Islands.
3rd Floor – Amami Nurtured by Subtropical Rainforest
The third floor immerses visitors in the lush biodiversity of Amami’s forests, starting with a detailed diorama that recreates the island’s subtropical rainforest. Life-sized taxidermy of native animals bring the forest scene to life, offering a close-up look at the wildlife that calls Amami home.
Exhibits also explain how the nature changes with the seasons, and why this ecosystem—recognized as part of a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site—is considered so precious and unique. Through interactive displays and informative panels, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance between Amami’s natural beauty and the need to protect it for future generations.
Visitor Information
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM)
- Closed: 3rd Monday of each month, and December 28 – January 1
- Admission Fees: Adults ¥310, High & University Students ¥150, Elementary & Junior High Students ¥100
- Address: 517 Nagahama-chō, Amami City, Kagoshima
- Access: 3-minute walk from Nagahama-cho Bus Stop
