Overview: This time we're visiting Amami Oshima, which lies midway between Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures. Recognized as a Natural World Heritage site in 2021, the island has one of Japan's richest natural landscapes. Most of the land is covered in subtropical forest, home to many endangered and endemic species, while coral reefs bring beauty to its waters. This extraordinary environment has shaped Amami Oshima's unique culture and traditions. From folk songs, music, kimono and dyes, Amami's designs reflect centuries of living alongside the island's forests, ocean, animals and plants. Join us on a design hunt for the gentle aesthetics that shaped Amami design.