What to know
Tokunoshima (徳之島) is a subtropical island south of Amami Oshima, part of Kagoshima Prefecture and the Satsunan island chain stretching between Kyushu and Okinawa. While less developed for tourism, its climate, beaches, and vegetation resemble the Okinawan islands. The island has three main towns: Amagi in the west (where the airport is located), Tokunoshima in the east, and Isen in the south.
Visitors come to Tokunoshima for its relatively uncrowded beaches, several within Amamigunto National Park. Like Okinawa, the best beach weather is typically from late June to October. Besides beaches, the island is known for its style of bullfighting, called "bull sumo", and the annual Tokunoshima Triathlon held each June.
Historically, Tokunoshima was part of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In 1624, it became part of the Satsuma Domain, now Kagoshima Prefecture. In 1862, the legendary samurai Saigo Takamori was exiled here for two months before being moved to Okinoerabu Island further south. After World War II, the United States occupied Tokunoshima until its return to Japan in 1953.
Below is a list of some of the island's primary attractions: