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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Okinoerabujima
Spend 1–2 days if you want limestone caves, diving or local shochu; otherwise skip.
Okinoerabujima is a remote, agricultural island in the Amami chain with a small airport and ferry link. Its main attractions are Shōryūdō limestone cave, marine sports and local brown‑sugar shochu. A day is enough for the cave; add another day for diving or a relaxed pace.
- Country
- Japan
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Aug–Sep (typhoon season)
- 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 ¥7,000–10,000 excl. bed · High ¥10,000+ 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 |
|---|---|
| Round‑trip ferry Kagoshima ↔ Wadomari | ¥12,570 |
| Shōryūdō cave entry | ¥1,100 |
| Local brown‑sugar shochu (500 ml) | ¥800–¥1,200 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- OKE · Okinoerabu Airport
- JAC turboprop flights to Amami Ōshima, Kagoshima, Naha and Tokunoshima
Typical fares
- Okinoerabu Airport ↔ Wadomari Port
- about ¥1,200 taxi or shuttle
- Ferry Kagoshima ↔ Wadomari
- ¥12,570 round‑trip
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
Limited local bus; rental car or scooter recommended for flexibility.
See and do
Known for
- Shōryūdō limestone cave
- Diving and glass‑bottom boat tours
- Inenotsuyu brown‑sugar shochu
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Yoron | Ferry from Wadomari to Yoron, about 1 h 30 min | ≈2 h total |
| Kikai | Ferry from Wadomari, about 2 h | ≈3 h total |
| Tokunoshima | Plane from OKE to Tokunoshima Airport, 30 min | ≈1 h total |
Sleep
- Wadomari guesthouses
- Small inns and minshuku near the port and airport
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 |
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 are limited; book ahead especially in winter.
- No habu viper on the island, but watch for marine currents when diving.
- Internet coverage can be spotty in remote areas.
Okinoerabujima is generally safe; main risks are limited medical facilities and occasional strong currents when diving.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Okinoerabujima yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Shōryūdō limestone cave
- Diving and glass‑bottom boat tours
- Inenotsuyu brown‑sugar shochu
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Discover Okinoerabu – English guide: www.discoverokinoerabu.com/
- Wikidata – Okinoerabujima coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Okinoerabujima, revision 5316744 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5316744
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/okinoerabujima). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.