Ohama Seaside Park

Ohama Seaside Park, located in Koshuku, Naze, Amami City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is one of Amami Oshima’s most representative seaside parks. It is about a 15- to 20-minute drive from central Naze, the largest urban area on Amami Oshima. Although surrounded by abundant natural beauty, the park is relatively easy to access, making it a long-favored destination not only for tourists but also for local residents. Several parks across Japan share the same name, but the Ohama Seaside Park introduced here is located in Amami City, not Minamisatsuma City. In addition, the coast in front of the park faces the East China Sea, which stretches along the western side of Amami Oshima, rather than the Pacific Ocean.

The greatest attractions of Ohama Seaside Park are its clear blue waters, characteristic of Amami Oshima, and its beautiful white sandy beach. Pieces of coral and seashells can sometimes be found on the beach, creating a distinctly tropical coastal landscape. Depending on the sunlight, weather, and tides, the color of the sea changes constantly, displaying a variety of expressions ranging from bright emerald green to deep blue.

Subtropical plants, including pandanus, grow thickly around the shore, where visitors can also see vivid tropical flowers, wild birds, and butterflies. The scenery created by the crystal-clear sea, white sand, and lush green vegetation is one of the landscapes that symbolizes Amami Oshima.

The beauty of Ohama Seaside Park’s natural scenery has been highly acclaimed. In 1996, it was selected as one of the “100 Best Beaches in Japan.” It was also chosen as one of the “88 Best Swimming Beaches in Japan” in 2001 and included in the Ministry of the Environment’s “100 Selected Excellent Swimming Beaches” in 2006. The beach is known not merely as a place for swimming, but as a coastal destination combining attractive waterside scenery, a rich natural environment, and convenient facilities.

In summer, the coast becomes lively with families and tourists enjoying swimming and exploring the rocky shore. Coral reefs and rocky areas lie in the waters around the park, and when sea conditions are favorable, visitors can observe tropical fish such as clownfish and coral while snorkeling. Being able to see fish swimming through the highly transparent water at close range is one of the unique attractions of Ohama Seaside Park.

However, some areas around the coral reefs and rocks become suddenly deep, and tidal currents and wave conditions vary from day to day. When swimming or snorkeling, it is important to check the designated swimming areas and local instructions, and to stay out of the water on days with bad weather or high waves. Wearing water shoes and life jackets is recommended, and children should be supervised at all times.

The park has facilities including a seaside promenade, an observation deck, and grassy open spaces. A leisurely walk along the promenade offers views of coastal plants, rocky areas, and the sea dotted with coral reefs from various angles. From the observation deck, visitors can enjoy a wide view of the East China Sea and an expansive landscape in which the sea and sky seem to merge.

Even those who do not swim can enjoy the park in their own way, such as by strolling along the promenade, taking photographs, relaxing in the grassy areas, or simply spending time gazing out at the sea. The park is also suitable for people who are not interested in swimming, families with small children, and older visitors, allowing everyone to experience Amami’s natural beauty at close hand.

Ohama Seaside Park is also famous as an excellent place to watch the sunset. Since the park is located on the western coast of Amami Oshima, visitors may be able to watch the sun slowly sink toward the horizon over the East China Sea when the weather is clear. As sunset approaches, the sky and sea gradually change from blue to gold, orange, and reddish purple. The sight of the sunset reflected on the surface of the sea is especially beautiful and has become one of the park’s signature views.

If you want to watch the sunset, arriving about 30 minutes before sunset will allow you to leisurely enjoy the changing colors of the sky. The sky may also retain a reddish glow immediately after the sun disappears below the horizon, so it is recommended that you stay for a while rather than leaving at once. After sunset, however, the ground becomes dark, so those walking along the promenade or beach should prepare a flashlight or other light for safety.

The Amami Ocean Exhibition Hall, located within the park, is a facility where visitors can learn about the seas and natural environment of Amami. With the theme of “Living in Harmony with the Sea,” it introduces the close relationship between the lives of Amami’s people and the ocean. Exhibits include fish and other marine creatures found in the waters around Amami, as well as information about coral ecology, plants and animals of the sandy beach, sea turtles, and Amami’s traditional fishing culture.

The facility’s largest aquarium is approximately 5 meters deep and holds about 150 tons of water, recreating representative underwater terrain found around Amami. It features shallow areas with branching coral known as “ino,” as well as offshore areas where white waves break before the sea suddenly becomes deep. Sea turtles and fish familiar to the people of Amami swim in the large tank, allowing visitors to observe the underwater world of Amami up close.

Feeding experiences with green sea turtles are also popular. Visitors can feed the turtles while observing them approach at close range, making this an enjoyable activity for both children and adults. However, the schedule and details of the experience may change depending on the condition of the turtles and circumstances at the facility. Anyone wishing to participate should check the latest information on the official website in advance.

The Amami Ocean Exhibition Hall also introduces traditional Amami fishing methods, including “izari fishing.” Izari fishing is a traditional technique in which people walk through shallow waters at night during low tide with lights, searching for and collecting fish, octopuses, shellfish, and other marine creatures. Visitors can learn not only about the natural sea but also about how the island’s people have lived in close relationship with the ocean.

The exhibition hall displays, among other items, the skeleton of a sperm whale found on Ohama Beach, as well as the skeletons of a young humpback whale and a green sea turtle, along with seashells. Hands-on craft activities using coral, sand, and shells, as well as video exhibits, are also available, making the facility suitable for children’s educational visits and for sightseeing on rainy days. Opening hours, admission fees, and closing days may change, so be sure to check the official information before visiting.

The sandy beach at Ohama Seaside Park is also known as a nesting site for sea turtles. Mainly during summer, loggerhead turtles and green sea turtles come ashore, and they may lay their eggs in places that are unlikely to be reached by seawater even at high tide. After a certain incubation period, the eggs hatch, and the hatchlings emerge from the sand and make their way toward the sea.

If you find a sea turtle or traces of nesting, do not approach it, shine lights or camera flashes at it, or touch the eggs. Loud noises and bright lights at night can also interfere with nesting. It is important to stay away from nesting tracks and protected areas and observe quietly from a distance.

The park and its surrounding area are also well suited to birdwatching. Various wild birds and insects live among the thick subtropical vegetation, and visitors can observe different species depending on the season. By paying attention not only to the coastal scenery but also to the plants and birds, visitors can gain a deeper appreciation of Amami Oshima’s rich ecosystem. However, care should be taken not to capture or collect plants and animals unnecessarily or damage the natural environment.

The Kohama Campground is located along the coast of the park. In addition to tent sites, it has cooking areas, Western-style toilets, changing rooms, cold-water showers, and rest shelters, allowing visitors to enjoy camping close to the sea. The campground is generally open year-round, although it may be unavailable due to typhoons or bad weather.

Those wishing to use the campground must make a reservation and inquiry in advance, and overnight guests must complete the registration procedure at the Amami Ocean Exhibition Hall. The regular reception hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you expect to arrive after 4:30 p.m., you must contact the campground by telephone in advance.

Kohama Campground is located within Amami Gunto National Park, where bonfires and fireworks are prohibited. Cooking with fire is permitted only in areas designated by the management, such as the cooking building and the reservation-only barbecue area. The use of stoves or other sources of fire is not allowed on the beach, grass, or any other non-designated areas.

Camping equipment and tents are not available for rent, so visitors must bring all necessary gear with them. Advance reservations are required to use the barbecue area. Since fees, reception hours, and usage conditions may change, it is recommended that you confirm the latest information with the management office in advance.

On clear nights, visitors may also be able to enjoy a star-filled sky characteristic of a seaside location away from the city. Listening to the sound of the waves while gazing at the stars offers a different appeal from daytime swimming or sunset viewing. However, the beach and rocky areas become dark at night, making it difficult to see where you are walking. Carry a light, do not enter restricted areas, and be careful not to approach sea turtle nesting tracks or protected areas.

Admission to Ohama Seaside Park and use of its parking lots are free of charge. The park has three parking areas, as well as facilities such as restrooms and showers. However, separate fees are charged for the Amami Ocean Exhibition Hall, Kohama Campground, barbecue facilities, and other services.

Because the park is relatively close to central Naze, traveling by rental car or taxi is convenient. If using public transportation, the nearest bus stop, Koshuku Daiichi Koen, is about 3 kilometers from Ohama Seaside Park, and the route includes continuous hills, making the walk difficult. Seasonal buses to the park may operate during periods such as the summer vacation season, so be sure to check the latest operating information and timetables if you plan to use them.

Amami Oshima has a subtropical climate, and the weather can change rapidly. From summer through autumn, the island may also be affected by typhoons. Before visiting, check the weather forecast and wave conditions, and refrain from activities in the sea when there is a risk of strong winds, high waves, lightning, or other hazards.

Summer sunlight is also extremely strong, so be sure to prepare a hat, sunscreen, drinking water, a towel, and other necessities. To protect your feet from coral, shell fragments, and rocks, wearing water shoes or similar footwear is recommended when walking along the shore or in shallow water.

Ohama Seaside Park offers a wide variety of activities, including swimming, snorkeling, strolling, sunset viewing, nature observation, camping, and learning about marine life. Although it is easy to visit from central Naze, the park allows visitors to experience Amami Oshima’s unique natural beauty up close, including its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beach, subtropical plants, and wildlife such as sea turtles.

The scenery changes dramatically depending on the time of day: blue waters and white sand during the daytime, a sunset over the East China Sea in the evening, and the sound of waves and a starry sky at night. By following the rules designed to protect nature and taking care around the sea, visitors can experience the beauty of Amami Oshima with all five senses.

Ohama Seaside Park is one of Amami Oshima’s leading tourist attractions and is recommended not only for family trips and outings with friends but also for anyone who wants to quietly enjoy the scenery alone.