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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Amakusa
Spend 2 days: day 1 see Sakitsu Church and local pottery; day 2 dolphin‑watching tour and beach. Travel time from Kumamoto ~1 h by ferry.
Amakusa is a sparsely visited island chain with UNESCO Christian sites, a dolphin‑watching industry and quiet beaches. Two days let you sample heritage and nature without rushing.
- Country
- Japan
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heat, typhoon risk)
- Stay
- 2 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 ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–12,000 excl. bed · High ¥12,000+ 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 |
|---|---|
| Ferry ticket (one way) | ¥1,200 |
| Dolphin‑watching tour (adult) | ¥2,500 |
| Local bus ride | ¥200–¥300 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- AXJ · Amakusa Airfield
- Daily flights to Kumamoto (¥8,200–¥9,600) and Fukuoka (¥13,700–¥15,000). Small fleet; cancellations possible.
Typical fares
- Kumamoto ↔ Amakusa ferry
- about ¥1,200 each way, 30 min
- Amakusa Airfield → Hondo (taxi)
- ≈ ¥2,000–¥2,500
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
No public rail. Use ferry from Kuchinotsu (30 min) or rent a car. Local buses run limited routes; taxis available in Hondo.
See and do
Known for
- Sakitsu Church (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Dolphin‑watching tours
- Amakusa‑toseki pottery
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sakitsu Church | Ferry to Shimoshima, then local bus ~20 min | ≈1 h total |
| Dolphin‑watching tour | Board at Hondo port; tours run 10:00–14:30Board at Hondo port; tours run 10:00 AM–2:30 PM | ≈2 h (incl. 30 min early arrival) |
Sleep
- Hondo area
- Closest to ferry terminal, restaurants and dolphin‑watching base; good for 1‑2 nights.
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
- Airline operates a single ATR‑42; technical issues cancel all flights – check status before travel.
- Dolphin tours require reservation 3 days ahead; weather can cancel – confirm on the day.
Amakusa is low‑traffic and generally safe; watch for strong currents at beaches and confirm ferry schedules in advance.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Amakusa yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Sakitsu Church (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Dolphin‑watching tours
- Amakusa‑toseki pottery
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Amakusa tourist association (Japanese): www.t-island.jp/
- Amakusa Airlines flight info: www.amx.co.jp/en/
- Shimabara Railway ferry schedule: en.shimatetsu.co.jp/ferry/
- Sakitsu Church reservation: www.kyusanko.co.jp/ryoko/pickup/sakitsu-church/
- Wikivoyage: Amakusa, revision 5042189 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5042189
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/amakusa). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.