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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Kami
香美市
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Kami: visit Ryugado Cave, Kami City Art Museum and a shrine, then head to Kochi or Nankoku.
Kami is a small city in Kochi Prefecture with a handful of attractions clustered near the centre. One day is enough to see the main cave, art museum and a shrine, then continue to nearby Kochi or Nankoku for more activities.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 香美市
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, humid)
- 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 ¥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 | ¥700–1,200 |
| Ryugado Cave entry | ¥1,000–1,500 |
| Local bus fare | ¥200–300 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | ¥2,000–2,500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KCZ · Kochi Ryoma Airport
- Nearest airport, about 30 km (19 mi) north in NankokuNearest airport, about 19 mi (30 km) north in Nankoku
Typical fares
- Kochi Ryoma Airport → Kami (JR)
- about ¥1,200 one‑way, 45 min (check)
- Taxi Kami centre → Ryugado Cave (≈10 km)
- ≈¥2,200
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
JR Dosan Line serves four stations in Kami; Tosa‑Yamada is central. Walk or rent a bicycle to reach most sights within 10–20 min.
See and do
Known for
- Ryugado Cave
- Kami City Art Museum
- Kagamino Park (cherry blossoms)
- Hachioji Shrine
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kochi City | JR Dosan Line to Kochi, about 45 min | ≈1 h |
| Nankoku (Kochi Ryoma Airport) | JR Dosan Line to Nankoku, 30 min | ≈45 min |
Sleep
- Kami City centre
- Small inns and guesthouses near Tosa‑Yamada Station; suitable for one night if you want to rest before heading to Kochi.
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
- Ryugado Cave entry fee ¥1,000 (standard) or ¥1,500 for adventure course – check age restriction for adventure.
- Some museums may have special‑exhibit fees; basic entry ¥300.
- Limited bus service; plan train times in advance.
Kami is low‑risk; main concerns are summer heat and occasional slippery cave floors – wear sturdy shoes.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kami yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Ryugado Cave
- Kami City Art Museum
- Kagamino Park (cherry blossoms)
- Hachioji Shrine
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Kami city official site: www.city.kami.lg.jp/
- Wikivoyage: Kami, revision 5035438 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5035438
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kami). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.