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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Ikeshima
池島
Day-trip from Nagasaki for the abandoned mine ruins: ferries run 7 times daily, tours cost ¥3,170 and take 2 hours. Not worth an overnight.
Ikeshima is a small island off Nagasaki that was Japan's last open-pit coal mine, closing in 2001. Its population dropped from 10,000 to about 100, leaving a ghost town of buildings overtaken by nature. The only activity is a guided mine tour; there are no restaurants and one spartan lodging. Most visitors come for a half-day from Nagasaki.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 池島
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold)
- Stay
- 0 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 · 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 |
|---|---|
| Ferry Konoura port to Ikeshima | ¥370–570 |
| Mine tour (adult) | ¥3,170 |
| Miner's bento (morning tour only) | ¥900 |
| Lodging at Ikeshima Chuo Kaikan (per night, no meals) | ¥3,446 |
| Bus Nagasaki Station to Konoura port | ¥1,000–1,500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- NGS · Nagasaki Airport
- Bus to Nagasaki Station (about 1 h), then bus to Konoura or Seto port (about 1.5 h)
Typical fares
- Ferry Konoura port → Ikeshima
- ¥370–570, 10–26 min
- Bus Nagasaki Station → Konoura port
- about ¥1,000–1,500, 1.5 h
- Mine tour
- ¥3,170 adult, book one day ahead
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
Ikeshima is walkable end to end in about 30 minutes. One bus route runs near the ferry terminal to the west side, but walking is easier.
See and do
Known for
- Abandoned coal mine ruins
- Mine tour with trolley ride
- Ghost-town atmosphere
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nagasaki | Bus from Konoura or Seto port to Nagasaki Station, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
| Gunkanjima | Boat tour from Nagasaki port, about 1 h | About 3 h including tour |
| Sasebo | Bus and train via Nagasaki, about 2 h | About 2.5 h |
Sleep
- Nagasaki city
- All visitors day-trip from Nagasaki; the island has one basic lodging.
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
- No restaurants or cafes on the island: bring food and water.
- Mine tours must be booked at least one day in advance; intended for Japanese speakers.
- Ferry schedules are limited: check the return times before you go.
Safe; the main risks are uneven ground at the mine site and limited facilities. Bring water and snacks.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ikeshima yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Abandoned coal mine ruins
- Mine tour with trolley ride
- Ghost-town atmosphere
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Mine tour booking (Nagasaki Visit): saruku.nagasaki-visit.or.jp/ikeshima/
- Wikivoyage: Ikeshima, revision 5070174 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5070174
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Ikeshima池島
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 has a consulate in Nagasaki (check the address); most other countries: consulates-general in Osaka, embassies in Tokyo.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/ikeshima). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.