What's Amami Oshima?
Amami Oshima is an island slightly below the line linking Kagoshima and Okinawa.
Nature abounds in the island where Akahige (Ryukyu robin), Ruri Kakesu (Lidth's jay),
and other such birds that are designated national monuments.
The island is also the home of that well-known special national monument "Amami no Kurousagi" or the Amami Rabbit and other precious creatures.
The island is blessed with warm climate throughout the four seasons,
and the sea surrounding the island is fascinating with a gorgeous expanse of coral reef.
A virgin forest of mangroves, fantastic cobalt-blue waters of the sea -
all these within the sphere of Kagoshima Prefecture actually belong to the cultural area of Ryukyu,
which in all makes Amami Oshima an island a unique lifestyle.
Yet, the island is not so well known as Okinawa, which makes it an ideal place to while away your time.
One of the charms you cannot miss in Amami Oshima is Mangrove Canoeing -
a rare experience you can have in Kuroshio on Mori (Forest in Black Current) Mangrove Park.
Canoeing in Amami Oshima's precious Mangrove forest happens to be one great opportunity for you to enjoy Amami's overwhelming natural charms.
Mangrove. Umm?
Mangrove is not really the name of any particular plant,
but the whole set of plants in warm regions of the tropical and subtropical zones growing in the brackish water that rises as the sea tide flows in.
Crabs, seashells, shrimps and others inhabit, and various aquatic birds fly in to create a rich ecological system.
Basically, the mangrove in Amami Oshima constitutes, on the whole,
the home of Ohirugi (black mangrove) and Mehirugi (Kandelia obovate) with green leaves and sturdy roots.
Kuroshio on Mori (Forest in Black Current) Mangrove Park
So, Kuroshio no Mori (Forest in Black Current) Mangrove Park is exactly the spot to experience Mangrove Canoeing located at the nature-filled Michi no Eki about an hour drive from the Amami Oshima Airport.
Michi no Eki is a sort of rest house found nationwide for the motorists to browse.
The Park has within its compound "Mangrove Hall",
where a variety of exhibits on mangrove are shown, and shops and restaurants as well.
There is an open space for all to play around for free; a paid zone has a garden "Sumiyou Garden".
It's a comprehensive facility for small children and the elderly to have fun playing.
Besides, the park offers various trials: canoeing, Segway, etc.
You can enjoy playing ground golf, too.
Have experienced mangrove canoeing in Kuroshio no Mori Mangrove Park!
This canoeing tour at Kuroshio no Mori Mangrove Park can be reserved in advance either by phone listed in the website or on the spot on the very day of your visit.
The tour is about an hour long and offers five times daily:
10:00/11:30/13:00/14:30/16:00.
You are to take your own pick.
Trial fees are ¥2,000 for adults, ¥1,800 for primary/ Junior High School pupils, and free for infants.
The ticket covers damage insurance, guide fee, and the fee for ground golf.
It's a thrifty bargain!
Quote from phto AC
As for your costume, you would be better off with a towel long enough to roll around your neck to dry sweat.
A sun-screening hat is a must; so is a pair of sunglasses.
Just in case, you might bring along a jar of sunburn cream for extra application.
Take-Off Point is a five-minute walk from Mangrove Hall.
Free lockers, shower rooms and toilets are available.
Be sure to store away the articles you prefer unwetted.
At Take-Off Point, you are to wear a lifejacket of your size and receive instructions on how to canoe.
You pick either one-seater or two-seater -this time, one-seater for the maiden challenge.
It's kind of scary how it works out, but a sense of excitement tops worry.
You are grouped in threes and on you go onboard the canoe.
Three instructors accompany every group of twenty participants.
Seated back deep, you grab your paddle and take off!
You paddle your way forward, somewhat lightly catching the water surface.
You might find it hard to row forward at the start, but don’t you worry.
Your instructor will orient you – even green beginners.
You canoe through the tunnels of mangrove paddling into a mysterious air filled with rich greens - finally reaching a Lake.
The entire area is surrounded by mangrove; high open skies are very beautiful.
As you are seated deep padding, your is liable to feel sinking into the canoe.
You are then to straighten your position and take a rest brief enough not to trail too far behind your group.
Taking pictures along the way and gently enjoying the views of the lake, you go canoeing on farther beyond.
Closing in the mangrove carefully not to harm any part of it, you will see tiny crabs and insects of all sorts inhabiting in the soil.
The sun's gorgeous blessings enhance your fun of canoeing - concluding at the Goal Point where you all assemble.
Expert staffs are ready to fill you up with extra knowledge of mangrove; they even help you taking pictures.
This time I joined the canoeing tour with my partner but had no chance to have "two-shots" taken.
So, it was so generous of them to help us take pictures.
Then, we canoe the same route backwards.
It takes 25 minutes to come; it might take a bit longer paddling back due to fatigue.
So, you are recommended to row more gently canoeing back.
Watch out the way your canoe wobbles as you leave.
Return your life jacket, and your tour is happily over.
The instructors were all kind and thoughtful, offering timely advice, and taking pictures of us in action.
The canoeing tour was a pack of fun thanks to them all.
The months of August and September are troublesome weatherwise due to typhoons.
Most recommendable are the months of June and July.
To enjoy your every minute away from congestion,
your best pick might be the month of October when hotel expenses are apt to be more reasonable.
Do be sure to experience the kind of canoeing tour offered at nowhere-else but Kuroshio no Mori Mangrove Park!
JAPAN Travel Concierge
Qlip 
