Crocidura orii has only been recorded in broadleaf natural forests from sea level to elevations of ca 300 m; it may be semi-fossorial, but studies are needed to clarify this (see GBIF 2023).

This species is known only from the islands of Amami-Oshima (712 km²), Tokunoshima (248 km²) and Kakeromajima (77 km²) in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. On Amani-Oshima, it is known only from the southern parts, although the type locality lies further north. It occurs from sea level up to 300 m asl. Its presence has most recently been reported during a Tokunoshima Spiny Rat (Tokudaia tokunoshimensis) trapping survey where individuals of the species were captured on Tokunoshima Island (Jogahara et al. 2020).

The three islands where it occurs— Amami-Oshima, Kakeromajima and Tokunoshima—are part of the Amami Guntō National Park. In Amami-Oshima, the Ministry of the Environment completed mongoose control in September 2024 (Ministry of the Environment 2024), and logging operations have declined since the 1970s (Government of Japan 2022). The species is listed as Endangered (EN) in the Japanese Red List (2007).