In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Aki
安芸
Visit Aki for a day trip: 6‑hour bus from Osaka or 1‑hour train from Gomen, see the clock, samurai quarters and castle ruins.
Aki is a small coastal town in eastern Kochi Prefecture. Its main sights cluster within a 20‑minute walk from Aki Station, making a single day enough unless you want a relaxed pace. Arrive by train or bus and explore the historic clock, samurai quarters and castle remains.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 安芸
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (typhoon risk)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
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 ¥3,000–5,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · High ¥8,000+ 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
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | ¥300–500 |
| Ramen bowl | ¥800–1,200 |
| Local bus ride | ¥500–750 |
| Bike rental (day) | ¥500 |
| Hostel dorm bed | ¥3,500–4,500 |
| Business hotel single | ¥6,500–8,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KCZ · Kochi Airport
- 35 min by car to Aki
Typical fares
- Kochi Airport → Aki (taxi + train)
- ≈¥1,210 total, 45 min (check)
- Train Gomen‑Aki (one way)
- ¥910, 35 min
- Night bus Osaka → Aki
- ¥6,850, 8 h 20 min
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
Aki Station is the hub; most attractions are a 20‑30 min walk or 10 min bike ride. Free rental bikes at the souvenir shop outside the station.
See and do
Known for
- Nora‑dokei clock
- Samurai quarters
- Aki Castle ruins
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kochi City | JR limited express from Gomen, 55 min, ¥1,170 | ≈1 h |
| Osaka (Umeda) night bus | Yosakoi night bus, 8 h 20 min, ¥6,850 | ≈9 h total |
Sleep
- Hostel Kochinoya
- Mixed dorms from ¥3,500; close to Aki Station
- Business Hotel Bencho
- Singles from ¥6,500; near station
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 |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
| Can I pay by card? | カードで払えますか？kādo de haraemasu ka |
| I would like a map | 地図をくださいchizu o kudasai |
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
- Limited train service: only 1‑2 trains per hour, ¥910 each (check schedule).
- Bus from Kochi Airport requires advance booking (call 3 h ahead).
- JR Pass does not cover the Gomen‑Nahari line; consider a Shikoku Rail Pass.
Aki is low‑risk; watch train schedules and typhoon warnings in summer.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Aki yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Nora‑dokei clock
- Samurai quarters
- Aki Castle ruins
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Aki city official site: www.city.aki.kochi.jp/
- Aki tourist association guide (Japanese): www.akikanko.or.jp/
- Wikivoyage: Aki, revision 5085156 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5085156
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/aki). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.