Major city · Japan
Taketomi竹富島
Go for one night, not a day trip: the last ferry leaves about 17:30, so only overnighters get the village and beaches after the crowds go.Go for one night, not a day trip: the last ferry leaves about 5:30 PM, so only overnighters get the village and beaches after the crowds go.
Taketomi is a 5.4 km² island 15 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki, with a preserved Ryukyu village of white-sand lanes, coral walls and red-tile roofs. Most people come as a day trip; one night is what buys you the empty village at dusk and the west pier at sunset. There is no supermarket, no rental car and one taxi.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (typhoon season), Golden Week
- Airport
- ISG
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Taketomi110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Taketomi, 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 safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportISG New Ishigaki Airport (Bus or taxi to Ishigaki port, then a 15-min high-speed ferry to Taketomi; allow 1 h door to door.).
- Getting aroundWalk or rent a bicycle (¥300 (≈ US$3)/hour, ¥1,500 (≈ US$11)/day).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideShuttle bus, port to village¥200–310 (≈ US$2–3); ¥1,030 (≈ US$7) day pass
- Museum or sight ticketKihōin temple entry¥300 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedGuesthouse dorm bed, a night, per person¥1,800 (≈ US$13)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room¥40,000 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥10,000 (≈ US$70) · High ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ISG New Ishigaki Airport (Bus or taxi to Ishigaki port, then a 15-min high-speed ferry to Taketomi; allow 1 h door to door.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Oct (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Taketomi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
11 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Dec
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or rent a bicycle (¥300/hour, ¥1,500/day). A shuttle bus runs from the port to the village and beaches at least hourly; fares ¥200–310 by distance, ¥1,030 for a day pass. No rental cars or motorcycles. One taxi on the island, book ahead.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
High-speed ferry from Taketomi Port, about 15 min
Every ferry in and out goes through Ishigaki; the town, markets and beaches are the practical base.
Kohama
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
One ferry a day each way, about 25 min
Repositioning ferry; reservation mandatory and the timing is fixed.
Hateruma
overnightDoor to door: 3–4 h
Ferry via Ishigaki, then a fast ferry south
Japan's southernmost inhabited island; too far for a same-day return from Taketomi.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
The village (shūraku)
Guesthouses, minshuku and the only bar; walk to everything, but quiet after dark.
Near the port and Aiyaruhama
Hoshinoya and Hotel Peace Island; 1 km (0.6 mi) walk or shuttle to the village.Hoshinoya and Hotel Peace Island; 0.6 mi (1 km) walk or shuttle to the village.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥6,000–9,000 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥9,000–14,000 (≈ US$65–95) excl. bed
- High
- ¥14,000 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Minshuku room with two meals2 × 1 night × ¥8,800 | ¥17,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥10,000 | ¥20,000 |
| Ferry Ishigaki–Taketomi, both ways2 × ¥1,330 | ¥2,660 |
| Bicycle, full day2 × ¥1,500 | ¥3,000 |
| Water buffalo cart, 30 min2 × ¥1,200 | ¥2,400 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥5,070 |
| Trip total≈ ¥27,870 per person per day, bed included | ¥55,730≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and ferry from Ishigaki excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Yaeyama soba with soki pork ribs | ¥700–1,000 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Rafti-don pork rice bowl | about ¥1,000 (≈ US$7) |
| Sata-andagi doughnuts | 2 for ¥100 (≈ under US$1) |
| Awamori or cocktail at the island bar | ¥500–900 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Star sand souvenir | about ¥30 (≈ under US$1) per teaspoonful |
| Shuttle bus, port to village | ¥200–310 (≈ US$2–3); ¥1,030 (≈ US$7) day pass |
| Kihōin temple entry | ¥300 (≈ US$3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Miss the last ferry (about 17:30) and you are stuck for the night: there is no charter service.Miss the last ferry (about 5:30 PM) and you are stuck for the night: there is no charter service.
- Return ferry tickets are valid only on the company you bought them from; two one-ways cost about ¥50 (≈ under US$1) more and keep you flexible.
- No supermarket or convenience store on the island: bring cash and supplies from Ishigaki.
- Taking star sand is not allowed; pick individual grains only.
- An address reading 'Taketomi' may be on Iriomote or another island: Taketomi Town covers most of the Yaeyamas.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Taketomi竹富島
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
No embassies on the island; the US has a consulate in Naha and most countries' embassies are in Tokyo (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ishigaki → Taketomi, high-speed ferry: ¥690 (≈ US$5) one-way, ¥1,330 (≈ US$9) return, 15 min
- Taketomi Port → village, shuttle bus: ¥200–310 (≈ US$2–3) by distance
- Bicycle, full day: ¥1,500 (≈ US$11)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Cash is king on the island; some guesthouses and cafés take cards, many do not.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Taketomi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (typhoon season), Golden Week · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry contract for Taketomi Port: last departures field-checked, two-one-way fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: village lanes and Nagomi-no-tō, Kondoi Beach, Kaiji and Aiyaruhama, the west pier.
- Place pages with verified hours (Kihōin, Folkcraft Museum, Yugafukan) and eat pages with last orders.
- Typhoon and missed-boat fixtures so gates A–D can go green.