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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Mishima Islands
Visit Mishima Islands for 1–2 days; ferry takes 3–6 h each way, so allocate 2 days to catch a round‑trip and enjoy hot‑springs.
The Mishima Islands are a tiny volcanic archipelago with hot‑springs, historic sites and limited accommodation. Ferries run 3 times weekly and take several hours, so a minimum of two days lets you travel, stay overnight, and explore.
- Country
- Japan
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Sep–Oct
- 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 ¥8,000–12,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥12,000–18,000 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 |
|---|---|
| Mishima Ferry (2nd class, one‑way) | ¥3,660 |
| On‑sen token | ¥200–300 |
| Bike rental (per day) | ¥500 |
| Coffee at a local shop | ¥300–500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KOJ · Kagoshima Airport
- Connects to ferry terminal by bus (≈30 min).
Typical fares
- Kagoshima → Mishima Ferry (2nd class)
- about ¥3,660 one‑way, 3–6 h travel
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
Rental bicycles at the info office (Iōjima, Takeshima); one rental car on Iōjima; otherwise walk between ports and inns.
See and do
Known for
- public hot springs
- volcanic landscapes
- historic Heike‑era sites
- scuba diving
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Iōjima (Sulphur Island) | Ferry from Kagoshima, then walk or bike | ≈4–6 h round‑trip |
| Takeshima (Bamboo Island) | Ferry stop; bike rental optional | ≈5–7 h round‑trip |
| Kuroshima (Black Island) | Ferry stop; walk to village of Osato | ≈5–8 h round‑trip |
Sleep
- Minshuku (village inns)
- Rooms in fisherman's houses; include three meals; book ahead.
- Camping on Iōjima
- Free site with showers near on‑sen.
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
- Ferry schedule is limited; weather can cancel trips – check the ticket office.
- Cash only – no ATMs on the islands.
- Limited opening hours for shops and on‑sen facilities.
Mishima Islands are low‑risk for tourists; main concerns are weather‑related ferry cancellations and the need for cash only.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Mishima Islands yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- public hot springs
- volcanic landscapes
- historic Heike‑era sites
- scuba diving
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Go!Mishima English info: mishima.link/access
- New Japan Aviation charter flights: www.newj.co.jp/
- Wikivoyage: Mishima Islands, revision 5233798 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5233798
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/mishima-islands). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.