“Nai Mono wa Nai” — A Unique Island Philosophy
One of the phrases most closely associated with Ama Town is the memorable slogan “Nai Mono wa Nai,” which can be translated as “There is nothing we don’t have.” Rather than suggesting that everything is physically available on the island, the expression conveys the idea that everything necessary for a fulfilling life can be found here.
Ama does not have all the conveniences of a major city. Instead, residents make the most of the natural resources, local products, and human connections that are available to them. By working creatively with what the island provides, the community has developed its own vision of a rich and sustainable way of life.
This philosophy has attracted considerable attention in Japan, and Ama Town has become widely known as an example of innovative regional revitalization and community development.
Magnificent Landscapes and the Oki UNESCO Global Geopark
A Natural Environment Recognized Around the World
Ama Town is part of the Daisen-Oki National Park, while the Oki Islands as a whole are designated as an Oki UNESCO Global Geopark. The islands are known for dramatic landscapes created by volcanic activity, unusual geological formations, and distinctive ecosystems that have developed in isolation.
Exploring Ama therefore offers more than beautiful scenery. The island is also a place where visitors can see evidence of the geological forces that shaped the Oki Islands over millions of years.
Hishiura Bay and the Landscape Loved by Lafcadio Hearn
One of Ama’s most scenic areas is Hishiura Bay. Its calm waters and intricate coastline create a peaceful landscape that also attracted the attention of the Meiji-era writer Lafcadio Hearn, better known in Japan as Koizumi Yakumo.
Hearn described the area as a quiet and secluded place and recorded his impressions of its natural beauty. Today, visitors can enjoy the same tranquil atmosphere while looking across the bay and surrounding island landscape.
Saburo-iwa and Akiya Coast
Ama Town is home to many striking natural landmarks. Saburo-iwa is a group of three enormous rocks rising dramatically from the sea. Known as Taro, Jiro, and Saburo, the rocks have been shaped by the powerful forces of waves acting on volcanic rock over countless years.
On the eastern coast, Akiya Coast offers a completely different landscape. Cliffs of reddish-brown volcanic scoria are exposed along the shoreline, revealing the island’s volcanic origins. In summer, the area is also popular for swimming and camping.
Abundant Fresh Water and a Mild Island Climate
Amakawa Water, One of Japan’s Famous Waters
Nakanoshima is unusually rich in groundwater. The island has enough underground water resources to support daily life without depending primarily on large dams.
Amakawa Water is particularly famous and has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Waters by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. The clear spring water represents the island’s abundant natural resources and remains an important part of Ama’s identity.
A Comfortable Climate Throughout the Year
Influenced by the Tsushima Current, Ama Town enjoys a relatively mild maritime climate, with cool summers and warmer winters than might be expected at this latitude. The annual average temperature is approximately 14°C, creating a comfortable environment in which to enjoy the island’s changing scenery throughout the seasons.
An Island with a Long History
A Place of Exile in Ancient Japan
Ama Town has played an important role in Japanese history for centuries. During the Nara period, the Oki Islands were used as a place of exile. Among those sent to the islands was the celebrated poet and scholar Ono no Takamura.
Centuries later, during the Kamakura period, Emperor Go-Toba was also exiled to the Oki Islands. He spent approximately 19 years on Nakanoshima, leaving a lasting historical legacy that can still be traced through sites and cultural traditions around Ama Town.
Shrines and Traditional Performing Arts
Historic shrines are scattered throughout the island, including Oki Shrine and Uzuka-no-Mikoto Shrine. These sacred places preserve religious traditions that have continued from ancient times.
Ama is also home to Oki Dozen Kagura, a traditional form of sacred dance and music designated as a cultural property of Shimane Prefecture. Passed down through generations, this performing art offers an opportunity to experience the spiritual and cultural heritage of the island.
Local Industries and the Flavors of the Island
Ama Town has developed distinctive industries by making creative use of the resources available on the island. Among its best-known local foods are Oki Beef and Oki Iwagaki oysters, prized for their quality and distinctive flavors.
The surrounding waters also provide abundant seafood, while the island’s agricultural products reflect its fertile natural environment. Visitors can enjoy fresh ingredients that travel only a short distance from the sea, fields, and farms to the dining table.
Ama has also adopted advanced rapid-freezing technology known as CAS (Cells Alive System) to preserve the freshness of local products. This technology makes it possible to enjoy island foods outside the Oki Islands while helping expand markets for local producers and support the regional economy.
Things to See and Do in Ama Town
Enjoy Nature and Outdoor Activities
Ama offers a variety of ways to experience its natural environment, including swimming, camping, scenic drives, and visits to panoramic viewpoints. Rainbow Beach and Furoya Beach are especially popular during the warmer months, offering beautiful coastal scenery and memorable sunsets.
The island’s compact but varied landscape makes it ideal for travelers who enjoy exploring at their own pace. A drive along the coast can reveal quiet beaches, volcanic cliffs, fishing villages, and viewpoints overlooking the surrounding sea.
Museums and Community Spaces
Ama Town also has facilities where visitors can learn about the island’s history and culture. Museums introduce the story of Emperor Go-Toba and his years in exile, while community spaces provide opportunities for interaction between local residents and visitors.
These facilities help place the island’s landscapes and traditions in their historical context, making a visit to Ama more meaningful than sightseeing alone.
Oki Shrine — A Sacred Site Dedicated to Emperor Go-Toba
Oki Shrine was established in 1939 to commemorate the 700th anniversary of Emperor Go-Toba’s death. It is one of the most important historical sites in Ama Town and is dedicated to the emperor who spent his final years in exile on the island.
The shrine buildings feature the distinctive Oki-zukuri architectural style, giving the complex a dignified and imposing appearance. Surrounded by quiet woodland, the grounds are an atmospheric place to walk while reflecting on the history of Emperor Go-Toba and his connection with the island.
Several historical sites associated with the emperor can also be found nearby, allowing visitors to explore the landscape of Ama while following the story of his years on Nakanoshima.
Uzuka-no-Mikoto Shrine — Ancient Faith Amid Rural Scenery
Uzuka-no-Mikoto Shrine is an ancient shrine recorded in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, a tenth-century compilation of officially recognized shrines in Japan. It has long been an important place of worship for the local community.
The shrine’s white torii gate stands against a backdrop of green hills and peaceful rice fields. From summer into autumn, the golden rice paddies create a beautiful contrast with the white gate and surrounding vegetation, making this a particularly photogenic corner of the island.
Mount Kinkoji — Panoramic Views of the Dozen Caldera
Rising to approximately 168 meters, Mount Kinkoji is located near the center of Nakanoshima and is known for its panoramic views. A road leads close to the summit, making it relatively easy to reach the viewpoint by car.
From the observation area, visitors can look across the Dozen Caldera and the islands of the surrounding archipelago. On clear days, the view extends far across the Sea of Japan.
Kinkoji Temple stands near the summit and is also associated with Ono no Takamura, adding a historical dimension to this scenic mountain destination.
Ama Town Go-Toba-in Museum — Discovering the Emperor’s Island Life
The Ama Town Go-Toba-in Museum introduces the life of Emperor Go-Toba and his years spent in exile on the Oki Islands. Exhibits and historical materials help visitors understand the circumstances surrounding his exile and his daily life on Nakanoshima.
Nearby are sites such as the remains of the imperial lodging and the emperor’s cremation mound. Visitors who join a guided tour can gain a deeper understanding of the historical landscape and the role Ama played in medieval Japanese history.
Yakumo Square — Following in the Footsteps of Lafcadio Hearn
Yakumo Square was created on the former site of the Okazaki Ryokan inn, where the Meiji-era writer Lafcadio Hearn once stayed. Statues of Hearn and his wife, Setsu, stand in the park.
With the peaceful waters of the bay nearby, the square is a pleasant place to pause and imagine the landscape that inspired Hearn during his stay in the Oki Islands. It is an especially interesting stop for visitors interested in Japanese literature and the international history of cultural exchange.
Saburo-iwa — Dramatic Rocks Rising from the Sea
Saburo-iwa consists of three huge rocks rising from the sea and known as Taro, Jiro, and Saburo. The rocks are made of basalt that has been gradually sculpted by the waves over a very long period of time.
The formations can be viewed from sightseeing boats and ferries, offering an impressive perspective of the relationship between the volcanic geology of the Oki Islands and the surrounding sea. Their dramatic silhouettes have become one of Ama Town’s most recognizable coastal landscapes.
Akiya Coast — A Red Landscape Created by Volcanic Activity
Akiya Coast is famous for its cliffs of reddish-brown volcanic scoria. Created by ancient volcanic activity, the exposed layers provide a striking glimpse into the geological history of the Oki Islands.
The contrast between the red cliffs and blue sea makes the coast particularly impressive. During summer, the area is also used as a beach and camping destination. By day, visitors can enjoy the dramatic coastal scenery and sea, while at night the relatively dark island environment provides excellent conditions for appreciating the star-filled sky.
Amakawa Water — Pure Spring Water from the Island
Amakawa Water is a spring selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Waters by the Ministry of the Environment. Clear and pleasantly mild in taste, it is regarded as one of the natural treasures that symbolize Ama Town’s abundant water resources.
For visitors, the spring offers a simple way to experience the island’s natural environment through one of its most fundamental resources: fresh, clean water.
Kirogasaki Lighthouse — A White Beacon at the Southern Tip of Ama
Kirogasaki Lighthouse stands at the southernmost point of Ama Town. Its white structure contrasts beautifully with the blue sea and sky, creating an attractive coastal viewpoint.
The area is particularly beautiful around sunset, when the changing light spreads across the sea. Visitors may also encounter horses grazing in the surrounding landscape, adding to the peaceful rural atmosphere of the island.
Rainbow Beach and Furoya Beach — Coastal Recreation for the Whole Family
Rainbow Beach, located close to Hishiura Port, is a gently sloping, shallow beach where families can enjoy the sea with relative ease. Its calm coastal setting makes it a popular destination during the summer season.
Furoya Beach, meanwhile, is known particularly for its beautiful sunsets. From daytime beach activities to evening views across the sea, the area offers a relaxing way to experience Ama’s coastline.
Getting to Ama Town and Getting Around
Hishiura Port serves as the main gateway to Ama Town. Regular ferries and high-speed passenger boats connect the island with the mainland ports of Shichirui and Sakai, while inter-island services link Ama with other islands of the Oki archipelago.
Local buses operate on Nakanoshima and connect major settlements and sightseeing areas. For greater flexibility, rental cars and bicycles are useful options for exploring the island at your own pace.
Discover a Different Idea of What It Means to Live Well
Ama Town brings together spectacular nature, a fascinating history, traditional culture, local food, and an inspiring approach to community life. Its philosophy of “Nai Mono wa Nai” encourages visitors to look beyond the conveniences and possessions of modern urban life and appreciate the value of nature, local resources, creativity, and human connections.
From volcanic coastlines and peaceful bays to ancient shrines and sites connected with Emperor Go-Toba, the island offers many different ways to discover the character of the Oki Islands.
A journey to Ama can be a chance to slow down, explore an extraordinary island landscape, learn about centuries of Japanese history, taste fresh local ingredients, and experience the warmth of a small island community. For travelers seeking a destination where nature and everyday life remain closely connected, Ama Town offers a memorable glimpse of another side of Japan.