Major city · Japan
Mine美祢市
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Mine to see Akiyoshi Cave and the karst plateau; no need to stay overnight.
Mine is a small city in Yamaguchi Prefecture, best known for Akiyoshidai plateau and Akiyoshi Cave, the longest cave in Japan. The sights are clustered, so a single day is enough for the main attractions.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid)
- Airport
- UBJ
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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 Mine110 ▾
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 Mine, 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
- SafetyMine is low‑risk; main concerns are cave lighting and winter trail conditions.
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.
- AirportcheckUBJ Yamaguchi Ube Airport (Bus or train to Mine about 1 h (check)).
- Getting aroundLocal buses from Shin‑Yamaguchi Station reach the plateau; a ‘karst taxi’ can take you to remote caves.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café¥300–¥500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))¥2,000–¥2,500 (≈ US$14–17)
- Museum or sight ticketAkiyoshi Cave entry¥1,200 (≈ US$9)
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room¥4,000 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room¥6,000 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room¥9,000 (≈ US$65)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥9,000 (≈ US$65) · High ¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
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
- UBJ Yamaguchi Ube Airport (Bus or train to Mine about 1 h (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mine: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 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
Local buses from Shin‑Yamaguchi Station reach the plateau; a ‘karst taxi’ can take you to remote caves. Walking is common on the plateau trails.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Akiyoshi Cave
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Bus from Shin‑Yamaguchi Station (≈45 min) or karst taxi; walk 10 min to cave entrance
Entrance fee ¥1,200; open 08:30‑16:30.Entrance fee ¥1,200; open 8:30 AM‑4:30 PM.
Akiyoshidai Plateau
goDoor to door: ≈1 h from city centre
Same bus/karst taxi; follow marked walking trails
Grassland burning in February; fire festival in July.
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.
Mine City centre
Small guesthouses and ryokan; suitable for a night if you prefer rest after hiking.
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
- ¥5,000–7,000 (≈ US$35–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥7,000–12,000 (≈ US$50–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room (double)1 × 1 night × ¥6,000 | ¥6,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥9,000 | ¥18,000 |
| Akiyoshi Cave entry2 × ¥1,200 · check | ¥2,400 |
| Karst taxi day pass2 × ¥800 · check | ¥1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥2,800 |
| Trip total≈ ¥15,400 per person per day, bed included | ¥30,800≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in yen; transport and accommodation excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | ¥300–¥500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Bento box | ¥600–¥1,200 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Taxi (5 km) | ¥2,000–¥2,500 (≈ US$14–17) |
| Akiyoshi Cave entry | ¥1,200 (≈ US$9) |
| Karst taxi day pass | ¥800 (≈ US$6) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cave opening hours are 08:30‑16:30; check for seasonal closures.Cave opening hours are 8:30 AM‑4:30 PM; check for seasonal closures.
- Winter snow can block some trail sections; bring proper footwear.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Mine美祢市
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
US consulate in Osaka; Japanese police 110, fire 119.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shin‑Yamaguchi → Akiyoshi Cave (bus): about ¥1,200 (≈ US$9), 45 min (check)
- Karst taxi day pass: ¥800 (≈ US$6) for unlimited rides (check)
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)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- 助けてください — I need help (tasukete kudasai)
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 Mine. 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 Jul–Aug (hot, humid) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bus schedule from Shin‑Yamaguchi (check times).
- Karst taxi pass ¥800 for unlimited rides (check).
- Guesthouse options near plateau for overnight if needed.
Sources
Ask about Mine
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