July 2, 2025
Amami Freediving: Descend into Japan’s Subtropical Sea
Experience Japan’s subtropical wilderness through the meditative depths of freediving in Amami Oshima
There’s a moment when everything disappears—the noise, the pressure and even time itself. You slip beneath the surface, lungs full and thoughts quiet. Light fractures through the water like stained glass. Below you: coral gardens, flickering fish, maybe a sea turtle drifting past. Above: sunlight refracts on the surface. This is freediving in Amami Oshima, and it’s like nowhere else.
What is Freediving?
Freediving is the art of diving on a single breath—no tanks, no bubbles, no noise. Just you, your body and the water. You learn how to control your breathing, relax your body, and dive safely with the guidance of a certified instructor. According to Arisa Tanaka, certified AIDA freediving instructor and founder of Amami Freediving, “Compared to scuba diving, it’s a much more intimate and meditative experience. There’s no heavy gear or noise, just you and the ocean.”
It’s not about how deep you go, but how present you are. “Because you rely only on your breath, freediving becomes a reflection of your inner state. In many ways, it’s not just about going deeper into the sea, but also into yourself,” explains Arisa. Whether you’re diving five meters or 25, the goal is to enjoy the process and deepen your connection with the ocean—and with yourself.
Why Amami Oshima?
In a country best known for its stimulating and complex cityscapes, Amami Oshima offers a rare silence, not empty, but alive. Situated between Kyushu and Okinawa, it’s the largest of the Amami Islands and stands out for its dense forests, protected coral reefs and subtropical calm.
While it’s lesser known than Okinawa, that’s exactly what makes it special. With dense jungles, quiet beaches and warm, crystal-clear water, Amami offers a sense of stillness that’s increasingly hard to find.
Home to endemic wildlife and shaped by centuries of cultural and geographic isolation, Amami’s ecosystems are now UNESCO-protected. The reverence for the natural world is reflected in the way people live: unhurried, attuned to the land and sea.
For freedivers, this seclusion is part of the appeal. “Amami’s reefs are alive with vibrant coral, tropical fish, sea turtles and sometimes even graceful rays,” says Arisa. “What makes it unique is the clarity of the water and the sense of remoteness—you often have entire bays to yourself.”
The Freediving Experience
At Amami Freediving, sessions are small, slow-paced and designed for all levels. Whether you’re brand new to freediving or looking to improve your depth and breath control, the focus is on comfort and safety.
The school offers a range of options: beginner-friendly introduction courses, intermediate-level coaching, and internationally recognized AIDA certification courses. For more experienced divers, Arisa also guides tours to dive sites that are lesser-known but rich with life, including spots only accessible with local knowledge.
Some people come for a one-day introduction, while others commit to regular lessons. One former student, she recalls, couldn’t get past five meters at first. “Over six months of steady practice, he reached 25 meters and told me he’d finally understood what freediving is really about: being present, connecting with the water, and enjoying the process.”
Whether you’re floating at the surface or diving deep, it’s less about performance and more about learning how to relax, let go and trust the water.
Getting to Amami, Japan
Despite feeling remote, Amami Oshima is surprisingly easy to reach. The fastest way is by air: direct flights to Amami Airport run daily from Tokyo (around 2.5 hours), Osaka and Fukuoka. Once you arrive, it’s a short drive to the main town of Amami City (also known as Naze) or to accommodations closer to the dive sites.
For those with time, ferries also run from Kagoshima, offering a scenic but longer journey, around 11 hours overnight.
Most freediving sessions with Arisa take place in quiet bays around the southern part of the island, easily accessible by car. Rental cars are recommended, as public transportation is limited and many of the best dive spots are off the main roads.
What Else to Explore on the Island
Amami’s slow pace and strong local culture make it worth staying a few extra days. Between dives, there’s plenty to experience—both on land and in the water. Arisa also offers travel coordination support, including help with booking accommodations, rental cars and local activities like kayaking, night wildlife tours and cultural experiences. Here are a few of her recommended activities she can help arrange for you.
Visit a Kokuto Shochu Distillery
Kokuto shochu is a brown sugar spirit that can legally only be produced in the Amami Islands. It’s smooth, earthy, and a staple of local food culture. Several distilleries offer short tours and tastings, giving you a look at how it’s made from raw sugar to the final pour.
Spot Rare Wildlife After Dark
Join a local guide for a nighttime forest walk to see the island’s unique ecosystem come alive. The Amami rabbit, a species found nowhere else, is most active at night, along with the Ryukyu robin and a number of rare frogs and lizards. Bring good walking shoes and a sense of curiosity.
Explore Mangroves and Hidden Beaches
Rent a kayak or join a tour through the island’s mangrove rivers. You can also drive to one of Amami’s lesser-known beaches, the kind with no umbrellas, no music, just sand, trees, and the ocean.
For Travelers Craving Connection, Not Just Escape
This isn’t like going to an all-inclusive resort town, and it’s not meant to be. Amami is for those who crave something deeper, less curated and more real. Freediving in Amami teaches you to slow down, breathe deeply and be present in a way that modern life rarely allows.
Arisa says many of her guests come from big cities, burnt out from work or disconnected from nature. “I hope they feel connected to their breath, to the ocean and something deeper within themselves,” she says. “Freediving teaches you to listen to your body and quiet your mind. I want guests to leave not just refreshed, but transformed in some small way.”
“Come with curiosity, not expectations,” Arisa adds. “You don’t need to be an athlete or an ocean expert. If you can breathe, you can freedive. And I’ll be there to support you every step of the way.”
This is a place, and a practice, for people who don’t just want another beach resort. It’s for those who want to feel the island, not just see it.
Amami Freediving:
Amami Oshima, Kagoshima, Japan
Click here to reserve!
Website: amamifreediving.com
