Enjoy a trip to
Yoron Island

Yoron Island

What is Yoron Island?

Yoron Island, where Yamato and Ryukyu culture remain to this day, is part of the Amami Island archipelago in Kagoshima Prefecture.
Surrounded by the beautiful "Yoron Blue" sea, it is a popular destination that demands attention. And in addition to its visual appeal, the island boasts unique traditional arts, regional cuisine, medicinal herbs, and more, offering a trove of possibilities not found elsewhere.
Come and experience the appeal of Yoron Island, where there's much more to enjoy than just the sea.

YORON OVERVIEW

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1

Udonosu Beach

This beach is loved by the islanders (known locally as shimanchu) for its gentle waves and relaxed swimming.
The water is very clear, making it a popular place to explore among the trees and rocks during low tide.
INFORMATION
Category
Beach
Business Hours
N/A
Closed
N/A
2

Medicinal Herb Cafe Picnic

This outdoor cafe sits in front of Oganeku Beach.
A place to experience the medicinal herbs of Yoron Island in delicious casual dishes, it offers a menu healthy enough to enjoy every day.
INFORMATION
Category
Dining
Business Hours
11:00-17:00
Closed
Wednesdays and Thursdays
Menu Highlights
  • ・Medicinal Herb Burger
  • ・Authentic Herbal Spicy Curry
  • ・Medicinal Herb Pancake
  • ・Yoron Fresh Herb Smoothie
3

Yoron Folk Village

At this outdoor folklore museum, you can experience old homes and tools in their original state.
Household utensils from the mid-20th century have been preserved within traditional thatched houses, offering visitors an intimate encounter with the lifestyle and culture of the people of Yoron Island.
Visitors can also experience dyeing with plant-based dyes, crafting traditional local toys, and, depending on the time of year, making brown sugar.
INFORMATION
Category
Museum/Archive
Business Hours
9:00-18:00
Closed
N/A
Entrance fee
  • ・Adults (junior high school students and older): 500 yen
  • ・Elementary school students: 300 yen
Experiences
  • ・Plantain cloth weaving: 2,500 yen
  • ・Dyeing: starting at 1,500 yen
  • ・Wooden pillow crafting: 3,000 yen
  • ・Toy crafting: 1,500 yen
4

Arimura Brewery

Yoron Island's only brewery, Arimura produces Shimayusen shochu spirits using Amami brown sugar.
The brewery uses calcium-rich hard water unique to coral reef islands diluted with mild soft water. The brown sugar used in production comes from multiple areas and expertly blended by skilled master brewers.
INFORMATION
Category
Brewery
Business Hours
9:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00
Closed
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
Main products
  • ・Brown sugar Shimayusen shochu spirits
  • ・Brown sugar and black rice malt Shimayusen shochu spirits
  • ・Yoron Island Highball
5

Dove Lake

This mysterious spot has a single hole that never dries up even when the other holes do.
The breathtaking beauty of the ocean blue, Yoron Blue, and expansive blue sky stretching beyond the rocks make for a spectacular sight reserved for those in the know.
INFORMATION
Category
Scenic spot
Business Hours
N/A
Closed
N/A
6

Hajipikipanta Hill

Called the birthplace of Yoron Island, this hill boasts a wonderful view of Ryukyu limestone ranging from tens of thousands to millions of years old.
According to legend, the gods Shiniguku and Amamiku went fishing long ago and the rudder of their boat got stuck in the shallows. When they got out of the boat, the coral reefs rose up from below and Yoron Island was born.
Visitors can observe the Kunigami District of Okinawa, Motobu Peninsula, an d Ie Island to the south, Iheya and Izena Islands to the west, and Okinoerabu and Tokuno Islands to the north.
INFORMATION
Category
Observatory
Business Hours
N/A
Closed
N/A
7

Yoron Station on the Milky Way Railway

This station was built in 1979 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Yoron Island's inclusion among designated excursion ticket areas of the National Railways, as well as to promote Amami Oshima and Okinawa Prefecture, which do not have railways.
The station comprises a wheelset on a 5 meter length of track, a station sign, and a gate. And the train fare is free.
As the name suggests, the clear view of the Milky Way makes this is a popular spot with stargazers in the summer.
INFORMATION
Category
Observatory
Business Hours
N/A
Closed
N/A
8

Yurigahama Beach

This fantastic island, said to be “the closest to heaven,” appears 1.5 km off the shore of Oganeku Beach during low tide in spring and summer.
Yurigahama Beach’s pure white sandbar against the emerald green of the sea create a true paradise on earth.
Legend has it that if you collect one grain of “star sand” from Yurigahama Beach for each year of your life, you will be granted happiness.
INFORMATION
Category
Beach
Business Hours
Glass boat operator hours vary
Closed
When landing conditions are unfavorable
Main products
  • Inquire with glass boat operators
9

Southern Cross Center /
Ruins of Yoron Castle

Opened in 1993, the Southern Cross Center is a museum where visitors can learn about the history and culture of Yoron. It features the island's highest observatory, with a view looking out over the entire island. The Center takes its name from the island's status as the northernmost island from which the Southern Cross is visible.
The Ruins of Yoron Castle are the remains of the castle said to have been built by Ohshan, the third son of King Hokuzan of Ryukyu. The Yoron Juugoya Dance, held three times a year on the grounds of the ruins, is a nationally-designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
INFORMATION
Category
Historic Site, Observatory, Museum/Archive
Business Hours
- Southern Cross Center: 9:30-17:30
- Yoron Castle Ruins: N/A
Closed
N/A
Entrance fee
  • Southern Cross Center
  • ・Adults: 400 yen
  • ・High school and university students: 400 yen
  • ・Elementary and junior high school students: 200 yen

※Click the number and the details will be displayed on the right side.

EXPERIENCE DETAILS

Guided Electric Vehicle Tour Introducing the Industries, Lifestyle, and Secret Spots of Yoron Island

A guided electric vehicle tour around the island highlighting its industry, daily life, and hidden spots.
This 3-hour tour includes stops at Udonos Beach, a millet vinegar workshop, a botanical garden, and, finally, Arimura Brewery.
INFORMATION
Dates
Every Day
Duration
About 3 hours
Price
¥5,500

Book now.

Experience a fish market auction and Yoron Island regional cuisine Try your hand at making:

[Pyaasuu (marinated sashimi fish and vegetables)]

[Mishijimai (rice cooked with meat and vegetables)]

[Puchimucchaa (mugwort rice cake)]

Participants will visit an auction, learn about fish, and learn to prepare three Yoron Island dishes: pyaasuu, mishijimai, and puchimuchaa.
INFORMATION
Dates
Weekdays
Duration
About 5 hours
Price
¥3,800

Book now.

Yoron Juugoya Dance, a nationally-designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property

A special viewing experience

Every March, August, and October of the lunar calendar!
This premium guided tour offers a special chance to appreciate the Yoron Juugoya Dance, a nationally-designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property that symbolizes the unique culture of Yoron Island.
INFORMATION
Dates
Three Times a Year (Old Japanese lunar calendar, March 15th, August 15th, October 15th)
Duration
About 4 hours
Price
¥5,500

Book now.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

There's more to do on Yoron Island than hang out at the beach!
Cafes that prepare dishes using native, naturally-growing herbs, fish auctions that can be watched without waking up at the crack of dawn, the island life experience at Yoron Folk Village, the island’s only brown sugar Shimayusen shochu brewery, traditional millet vinegar seasoning workshops, interacting with locals through regional culinary experiences, and much more: the more you experience Yoron Island and its mysterious appeal, the more enchanted you’ll become.
The following is a sample itinerary for a 3-day, 2-night stay on Yoron Island.
Come and make memories while enjoying authentic experiences on Yoron Island!

3-day, 2-night tour

Day 1

  • Lunch
    Medicinal Herb Cafe Picnic
  • Yoron Folk Village
  • Lodging
    Yoron Island Village
    (Lodging/2 meals included)
  • Hajipikipanta Hill

Day 2

  • Lunch
    Electric mobility tour
  • Ten views of Amami
  • Yurigahama Beach (glass boat)
  • Southern Cross Center,
    Yoron Castle Ruins
  • Juugoya Dance Premium Viewing Experience
  • Dinner
    Hyokin
  • Lodging
    YUI HOSTEL
    (Lodging/breakfast included)

Day 3

  • Udonos Beach walk
  • Dove Lake
  • Yoron Station on the Milky Way Railway
  • Lunch
    Blue Coral Reef

INQUIRIES

Yoron Island Tourism Association

33 Chahana, Yoron-cho, Oshima-gun, Kagoshima Prefecture 891-9301
TEL：0997-97-5151
Mail：yoronstyle@gmail.com
* We can only respond to inquiries in Japanese.