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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Kohama
小浜
Half a day to a full day: ferry from Ishigaki (25 min, ¥1,220 one-way). See the TV drama set, cycle the island, then return or stay one night at the resort.
Kohama is a small island (under 8 km², population ~500) in the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa. It draws visitors for the NHK drama Churasan set and the large Hoshino Resort. Most people come as a day trip from Ishigaki; one night works if you want a quiet beach stay.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 小浜
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, humid, 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 ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed (day trip) · Mid ¥8,000–15,000 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
- 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 Ishigaki–Kohama one-way | ¥1,220 |
| Bicycle rental (half day) | ¥1,000–2,000 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | ¥800–1,500 |
| Coffee | ¥300–500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ISG · New Ishigaki Airport
- Bus or taxi to Ishigaki port (about 30 min), then ferry to Kohama (25 min)
Typical fares
- Ferry Ishigaki → Kohama
- ¥1,220, 25 min
- Bicycle rental (half day)
- ¥1,000–2,000
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
Bicycle rental near the ferry terminal; the island is flat and small enough to cycle around in a couple of hours. No public transport.
See and do
Known for
- Churasan TV drama set
- Hoshino Resort Risonare Kohamajima
- Small island cycling
- Ferry hub to Taketomi and Iriomote
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ishigaki | Ferry from Kohama port, about 25 min | About 30 min |
| Taketomi | Ferry from Kohama (about one per day), or via Ishigaki | About 1 h via Ishigaki |
| Hateruma | Ferry from Ishigaki (via Kohama possible but rare) | About 2 h |
Sleep
- Near the resort
- Hoshino Resort Risonare Kohamajima is the only major accommodation; located at the far end of the island, away from the village.
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 ferry terminal? | フェリーターミナルはどこですか？ferī tāminaru 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
- Only one resort hotel on the island; book ahead if staying overnight.
- Ferries to Taketomi and Iriomote are limited (about one per day); check the schedule at Ishigaki port.
- No ATMs on the island; bring enough cash from Ishigaki.
- Typhoon season (Jul–Oct) can cancel ferries.
Kohama is very safe. The main risks are summer heat, sunburn, and ferry cancellations during typhoon season.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kohama yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Churasan TV drama set
- Hoshino Resort Risonare Kohamajima
- Small island cycling
- Ferry hub to Taketomi and Iriomote
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Hoshino Resort Risonare Kohamajima: risonare.com/kohamajima/
- Wikivoyage: Kohama, revision 5242481 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5242481
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kohama). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.