Ama: A Remote Island Community Shows It Can Win the Fight Against Decline

Nakanoshima, the island on which Ama is located, is just 89 kilometers in circumference, and getting there from the mainland takes three hours by ferry. Because it is so inaccessible, the island is blessed by unspoiled natural beauty, and many political prisoners—including aristocrats—were exiled there. One of them was Retired Emperor Go-toba, who composed many waka poems during the 19 years he spent on the island after losing the Jōkyū War to the Kamakura shogunate in 1221.

The Kin’nya Monya tourist center, located next to the port in Ama, at dusk (left); staff members and the Nai mono wa nai posters at the center (right).

Ama may be a small island, but it is rich in tourism resources. Top row: The Amanbō semisubmersible leisure boat cruising around the Saburō Rocks (left); Akiya Beach, popular with campers and swimmers in the summer (right). Middle row: The summer festival at Utsuka Mikoto Shrine in honor of a local deity (left); Oki Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Go-Toba, is renowned for its cherry blossoms (right). Bottom row: The Kin’nya Monya Festival in August is one of the biggest events of the year. Mayor Yamauchi Michio throws “fortune rice cakes” into the crowd (left); dancers, young and old, step to the lively strains of “Kin’nya Monya” holding large wooden spoons.

Just-caught swordtip squid is vacuum-packed (bottom row, right) using CAS freezing technology to lock in freshness (top row). Strips of marinated squid sashimi, laid on a bowl of rice, is a popular dish at the Ritō Kitchen restaurant in Asakusa, Tokyo (bottom row, left).

Boxes of sazae pouch curry (left) and Haruka-brand Ama oysters.

Oki-brand cows (top), born and raised on the island, are allowed to graze in Ama’s rich natural environment. Fukugi tea has a refreshing fragrance (above left). Ama salt (above right) is handmade using traditional methods from the waters of Hobomi Bay.

Residents new and old, aged 15 to 70, actively took part in the drafting of Ama’s latest development plan, released together with the report “24 Proposals for Ama’s Future.” (Photo courtesy of Studio-L)