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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Miyakejima
三宅島
Spend 1–2 days on Miyakejima for volcano views, diving and bird‑watching; a day is enough if you only want the main sights.
Miyakejima is a volcanic Izu Island 180 km south of Tokyo, known for Mt Oyama, diving spots and endemic birds. A short stay covers the main attractions; longer stays suit hikers and divers.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 三宅島
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (warmer sea, lower volcanic gas alerts)
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (cooler sea, occasional gas alerts)
- 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 ¥5,000–7,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥7,000–12,000 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
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Mackerel sandwich | ¥600–800 |
| Kusaya dried fish (souvenir) | ¥1,200–2,500 |
| Bus ride | ¥200–400 |
| Ferry (overnight, reclining seat) | ¥6,500–7,500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MYE · Miyakejima Airport
- check
Typical fares
- Ferry Tokyo ↔ Miyakejima (overnight)
- ≈ ¥6,500 per person, reclining seat (check)
- Bus island day pass
- ≈ ¥1,200 per person (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
Two island bus loops (clockwise and counter‑clockwise) connect ports and attractions; schedules vary, expect up to 3 h between some stops.
See and do
Known for
- Mt Oyama volcano
- diving and coral reefs
- Izu thrush bird‑watching
- Kusaya dried fish
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Toga Beach | Bus from Miyakejima main port, 15 min | ≈30 min |
| Mt Oyama summit | Bus to Mt Oyama base, then hike 2 h | ≈3 h |
| Tairo‑ike lake & Akakokko Station | Bus to Tsubota area, 20 min walk | ≈45 min |
Sleep
- Miyake Village guesthouses
- Small family‑run inns near the ferry ports; good for 1–2 nights.
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 |
| Where is the bus stop? | バス停はどこですか？basu tei wa doko desu ka? |
| How much is this? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka? |
| Do you have English menu? | 英語のメニューはありますか？eigo no menyū wa arimasu 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
- Sulfur‑dioxide vents may trigger gas‑mask advisories; check local alerts before hiking.
- Ferry arrival port changes daily (Miike, Igaya or Sabigahama); verify schedule.
- Bus frequencies are irregular; plan extra travel time.
Generally safe; monitor sulfur‑dioxide alerts and ferry port changes.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Miyakejima yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Mt Oyama volcano
- diving and coral reefs
- Izu thrush bird‑watching
- Kusaya dried fish
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Miyakejima local tourist association: www.miyakejima.gr.jp/
- Wikivoyage: Miyakejima, revision 5215091 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5215091
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/miyakejima). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.