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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Akajima
阿嘉島
One night on Akajima is enough to snorkel, hike to the observation towers and eat with locals; a day-trip from Naha works if you catch the 17:00 return ferry.
Akajima is the quietest of the Kerama Islands, with a single port, a handful of guesthouses and beaches that are never crowded. Most visitors come for the snorkelling and the slow pace. The island is connected by bridge to Geruma and Fukaji, so you can explore three islands on foot or by bicycle.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 阿嘉島
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, humid, typhoon risk)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥6,000–9,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥9,000–15,000 excl. bed · High ¥15,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119 · Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English) 050-3816-2787
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at port shack | ¥800–1,200 |
| Orion beer (can from vending machine) | ¥200–300 |
| Bicycle rental, one day | ¥1,500 (check) |
| Snorkel set rental, one day | ¥2,000 (check) |
| High-speed ferry Naha ↔ Aka, one way | ¥3,000 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- OKA · Naha Airport (Okinawa)
- From Naha take the high-speed ferry to Aka Port (about 1 h, ¥3,000 one way).
Typical fares
- High-speed ferry Naha → Aka
- about ¥3,000, about 1 h (check)
- Bicycle rental, one day
- about ¥1,500 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk or rent a bicycle at the port. The bridge to Geruma and Fukaji is walkable. Kayaks can be rented from some guesthouses.
See and do
Known for
- Snorkelling and diving from any beach
- Observation towers with island views
- Bridge-linked Geruma and Fukaji islands
- Friendly locals and guesthouse meals
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Zamami | High-speed ferry from Aka Port, about 10 min | About 20 min |
| Tokashiki | Ferry from Aka via Zamami, about 30 min | About 1 h |
| Kumejima | Ferry from Naha (not from Aka), about 3 h | About 4 h |
Sleep
- Near Aka Port
- Most guesthouses are a short walk from the port; meals often included.
- Geruma Island
- Connected by bridge, quieter, with a few minshuku.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Can I pay by card? | カードで払えますか？kādo de haraemasu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Camping on beaches is strictly forbidden.
- Giant Okinawan tree spiders on paths down to the sea.
- Last ferry to Naha departs around 17:00; check the schedule on arrival.
- No ATMs on the island; bring enough cash.
Akajima is very safe. The main risks are sunburn, dehydration and the giant tree spiders on paths. No hospital on the island; the nearest is in Zamami or Naha.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Akajima yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Snorkelling and diving from any beach
- Observation towers with island views
- Bridge-linked Geruma and Fukaji islands
- Friendly locals and guesthouse meals
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Akajima, revision 4692267 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4692267
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Akajima阿嘉島
ここまでお願いします
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
The US consulate is in Naha; most other countries have embassies in Tokyo.
No ATM on Akajima; bring cash from Naha.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/akajima). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.