Enjoying the Flora and Fauna of Amami Ōshima (Photos)

The Sumiyō and Yakugachi rivers meet at this wide estuary.

The rivers meander through the pristine mangrove forests.

Sunshine spills over the Materiya-no-Taki and the basin below.

It is unusual for Japanese sago palms to grow in profusion like this. During wartime, these trees were used for food as well as fuel.

The Japanese fiber plants in Ankiyaba are of a variety known as itobashō.

Flying spider-monkey tree ferns seen from below.

An aerial photo of the grand expanses of the Kinsakubaru primeval forest.

The rurikakesu (Lidth’s jay), designated a protected species by the Japanese government.

The Ryukyu damselfly is frequently spotted near water.

As habu (yellow-spotted pit viper) are a nocturnal species, caution is especially necessary when going about after dark.

Sunset over Yakeuchi Bay, seen from the observation deck at Yuwandake Park.