Yakushima屋久島

The questions people ask first about Yakushima, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
• SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
• Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
• TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
• SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are weather, trail fatigue and the last bus.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
• Street or quick mealNoodle soup or set lunch¥800–1,500 (≈ US$6–11)
• Beerdraught / can at a shop¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
• Metro or bus rideBus, Miyanoura to Arakawa trailheadcheck¥1,400 (≈ US$10) one way
• SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
• Museum or sight ticketShiratani Unsuikyo trail entry¥800 (≈ US$6)
• Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
• Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room¥16,000 (≈ US$110)
• High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room¥38,000 (≈ US$300)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥8,000 (≈ US$55) · Mid ¥14,000 (≈ US$95) · High ¥26,000 (≈ US$180)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

KUM Yakushima Airport (Flights from Kagoshima (about 35 min), Fukuoka and Osaka Itami; the airport sits between Miyanoura and Anbo on the coastal road.)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed

Mid

¥12,000–20,000 (≈ US$85–140) excl. bed

High

¥20,000 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed

• Rain is normal: measurable precipitation on about half the days of the year. Bring a shell and dry bags, and treat any forecast as provisional.
• Jetfoil and ferry crossings are cancelled when waves exceed about 3 m; keep a buffer day before a flight home.
• Cash up before you arrive. The reliable ATM is at the post office, a 30-minute walk from Miyanoura port.
• Do not feed or approach the monkeys; they are not habituated to handouts and should stay that way.
• Trailhead buses are few and fill up; the last return bus leaves early afternoon.
• Turtle watching at Nagata is a rare, early-hours event (roughly late May–Aug, 01:00–02:00) and only with a licensed guide and red light.Turtle watching at Nagata is a rare, early-hours event (roughly late May–Aug, 1:00 AM–2:00 AM) and only with a licensed guide and red light.