The plane was on time but we took off 25 minutes later than scheduled. Luckily we didn't miss our bus to our final destination. I was so dead tired and about to doze off then partner pointed at something big and black above a sea of clouds. Finally, we saw Mount Fuji! We did try on the very first trip to Japan but it was quite far away (in Hakone).
Yep, that's Mt. Fujji poking its top through the puffy, cottony clouds.
Almost there. Amami-Oshima island. Plane was about to make a turn. The runway is a man-made extension, like many islands, there's no real, totally flat surface that's naturally big enough for a commercial airport's runway.
The flight was gentle and the landing was smooth (the 14 hour one to Tokyo was the same). I had a fright of my life flying from Guadalajara to La Paz (Baja Sur). I think the suicidal pilots busted the landing gear on touchdown, too.
As soon as I exited the aircraft I was blown away by high heat. Thought Tokyo was hot (27C), on Amami it's boiling hot 31+.
Immediately round the corner was a display of Amami island's shochu, one of its specialities.
2 more hours going through many very long tunnels in an old (70's?) bus to the other end of the island to reach my lodging. Bus got full very soon as it was time young students got out of school. Only saw students and elderly islanders use the bus. Everyone else uses own cars here.
Staying at a "minshuku" (family-run small guesthouse with home-cooked meals) in rural Amami where public bus service is limited and no taxis. 15 minutes after our arrival dinner was served. OMG, rice 3 times a day. I don't eat rice at home but will make an exception for Japan. The owner cooks everything himself and presents it so beautifully, too!
Tuna sashimi. Always begin with sashimi. Tuna is a speciality in this part of the island. There's a big tuna statue at the ferry port.
Fried fish. Fatty fish just like salmon but flesh is completely white. This piece is the collar.
Thought it was a type of melon, until I saw the inside, which was young aubergine.
Tender and mellow
Seaweed
Soft tofu topped with crunchy, savoury seaweed.
Strawberry conch. A common starter in the Amami archipelago.
Fried fish paste next to the conch
Miso soup with clams
A piece of coral as chopstick rest and my first Amami shochu (made from sugarcanes, Amami-Oshima is the biggest producer, other Amami islands have their own versions, also made from sugarcanes.) More about this Amamian shochu.
3 days ago I was eating "Oktoberfest food" at home and now I'm eating home-cooked food on a tropical island far away.
Where exactly is Amami archipelago?
This is where the name of the thread comes from. In full it should be "The Other Japan - Strawberry conch, shochu and snorkeling". Japan's southernmost islands have their own cultures and languages. Their kingdom is now a part of Japan. If you listen to islanders when they speak with each other you'll notice it's not exactly Japanese. They speak own languages with each other, but of course Japanese is the administrative and commercial language.
Map of languages spoken in the archipelagos.
I always look forward to returning to this fascinating, complex, ENTHRALLING island nation. National Geographic Traveller magazine April 2023 issue. This is Japan's announcement of the official reopening of the country. Previous travel restrictions have been lifted.
The unofficial number one on my list. One that never ceases to surprise and delight.
Everywhere I go
Everything I go
Everyone I know
There's no one like you
On 9/29/2023 at 3:56 AM, JoNorvelleWalker said:
Where is the bridge and tunnel?
In Tokyo.
