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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Iki
壱岐
Iki is a quiet island escape for 1–2 nights: dolphin park, volcanic coast and seafood. Skip if you only have time for Nagasaki or Tsushima.
Iki is a group of 23 remote islands off Nagasaki's north coast, population about 28,000. It offers a dolphin park, the island's highest point Takenotsuji Mountain (212 m), and a relaxed pace. Most visitors come for a night or two, combining it with a trip to Tsushima or Fukuoka.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 壱岐
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold)
- Stay
- 1–2 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 ¥7,000–10,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥10,000–15,000 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 |
|---|---|
| Coffee | ¥300–500 |
| Seafood meal (set) | ¥1,500–2,500 |
| Beer (can at konbini) | ¥250–350 |
| Ferry Iki–Hakata | ¥2,500 (check) |
| Rental car per day | ¥5,000–7,000 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- IKI · Iki Airport
- Two flights a day to Nagasaki, one daily to Osaka (check)
Typical fares
- Iki Airport → Gōnoura
- about ¥1,000 by taxi, 10 min (check)
- Ferry Hakata → Iki
- about ¥2,500, 2 h (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
Local bus company Iki-kotsu covers the island. A rental car is the most flexible option; book ahead in summer.
See and do
Known for
- Iki Dolphin Park & Resort
- Takenotsuji Mountain
- Seafood and sake
- Remote island atmosphere
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tsushima | Ferry from Iki to Tsushima, about 2 h | About 2.5 h |
| Fukuoka | Ferry from Iki to Hakata (Fukuoka), about 2 h | About 2.5 h |
| Nagasaki | Flight from Iki Airport to Nagasaki, about 30 min | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Gōnoura area
- Main port and town centre; most restaurants and guesthouses.
- Ashibe area
- Near the Aeon shopping mall and ferry terminal; quieter.
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 |
| This one, please | これをくださいkore o kudasai |
| 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 |
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
- Ferry schedules can change with weather; check the day before.
- English is limited; have a translation app ready.
- Dolphin park hours vary; confirm before visiting.
Iki is a safe rural island. Watch for stray animals on roads if driving. Summer heat and typhoon season (Aug–Sep) can disrupt travel.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Iki yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Iki Dolphin Park & Resort
- Takenotsuji Mountain
- Seafood and sake
- Remote island 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.
- Iki Tourist Association (Japanese): www.ikikankou.com/
- Wikivoyage: Iki, revision 5244629 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5244629
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Iki壱岐
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; most other countries have consulates in Fukuoka or embassies in Tokyo.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/iki). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.