Major city · Japan
Yoron与論島
Go for 2 nights if you want empty beaches and a slow village; skip if you need nightlife, English menus or a car without an IDP.
Yoron is a 20 km² island in the Amami chain, about 6,000 people, with Chabana village as its only real centre. Beaches and diving are the point; there is almost no nightlife and little English. Two nights covers the island; three lets you wait out a windy day for the Yurigahama sandbar.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Sep (typhoon season), Jan–Feb (cool and windy)
- Airport
- RNJ
- Nights
- 2
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 Yoron110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Yoron hospital, Chabana0997-97-2511
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
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 Yoron, 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 sun, coral cuts, strong currents at the sandbar and typhoon-season travel disruption.
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 · 0997-97-2511 Yoron hospital, Chabana (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.
- AirportRNJ Yoron Airport (Flights to Amami Oshima, Okinoerabujima, Naha and Kagoshima; fares run higher than ferry travel.
- Getting aroundcheckA rental car or scooter is the practical choice; bring an IDP (1949 Convention) because agencies here check it strictly.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea at a café¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Sit-down mealIzakaya dinner with a drinkcheck¥2,500–4,000 (≈ US$17–30)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxicheck¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14)
- Museum or sight ticketSouthern Cross Center entry¥300 (≈ US$3) adult, ¥150 (≈ US$2) child
- Budget bedSelf-catering villa (2 people), a night, per room¥4,800 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedSelf-catering villa (2 people), a night, per room¥6,500 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedSelf-catering villa (2 people), a night, per room¥8,600 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥11,000 (≈ US$75) · 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
- RNJ Yoron Airport (Flights to Amami Oshima, Okinoerabujima, Naha and Kagoshima; fares run higher than ferry travel. About 10 min by taxi to Chabana.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Feb
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°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
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Yoron: 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
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 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
A rental car or scooter is the practical choice; bring an IDP (1949 Convention) because agencies here check it strictly. A circuit bus runs several times daily in each direction, and the island is small enough that short walks between village and beach work.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Okinoerabujima
goDoor to door: About 2–3 h
Flight from Yoron Airport, about 20 min; ferries also run between the islands
Caves and a bigger village; doable as a long day but better as an overnight.
Kikai
overnightDoor to door: 3 h+
Ferry or connecting flight via Amami Oshima
Too slow for a return day; sleep there.
Tokunoshima
overnightDoor to door: 4 h+
Flight via Amami Oshima, or ferry
A separate island trip, not a day out.
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.
Chabana
West side, walkable to the ferry port, airport and most restaurants; the default for a first visit.
East coast near the campground
Quieter, closer to Yurigahama beach; you need a car, scooter or the circuit bus.
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
- ¥6,000–10,000 (≈ US$45–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥10,000–16,000 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥16,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Self-catering villa (2 people)1 × 2 nights × ¥6,500 | ¥13,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ¥11,000 | ¥44,000 |
| Rental car, one day1 × ¥7,000 · check | ¥7,000 |
| Yurigahama boat ride2 × ¥2,000 | ¥4,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥7,300 |
| Trip total≈ ¥20,080 per person per day, bed included | ¥80,300≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and ferry fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea at a café | ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Lunch set or curry rice | ¥700–1,200 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Pasta or risotto at lunch | ¥1,000 (≈ US$7)+ |
| Izakaya dinner with a drinkcheck | ¥2,500–4,000 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Southern Cross Center entry | ¥300 (≈ US$3) adult, ¥150 (≈ US$2) child |
| Campground pitch, per tent per night | ¥350 (≈ US$3) |
| 5 km taxicheck | ¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rental agencies are strict about the international driving permit: no IDP, no car.
- English is rare outside a few guesthouses; the tourist association site is Japanese-only.
- Yurigahama appears only at the right tide: check the day's boat schedule before you plan around it.
- Typhoons can cancel ferries and flights in late summer and autumn.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Yoron hospital, Chabana
- 0997-97-2511
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Yoron与論島
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Yoron hospital0997-97-2511
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
No embassies on the island; the US consulate is in Naha and most embassies are in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Kagoshima → Yoron: about ¥13,000 (≈ US$90) one way, overnight sailing
- Yurigahama boat ride: about ¥2,000 (≈ US$14)
- Taxi airport → Chabana: about ¥1,000–1,500 (≈ US$7–11) (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)
- ビーチはどこですか? — Where is the beach? (bīchi wa doko 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)
Ferry and flight times change with the season: confirm the day before you travel.
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 Yoron. 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: Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Sep (typhoon season), Jan–Feb (cool and windy) · 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
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for RNJ: taxi ranks, bus timing and the walk from the port.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Chabana, the east-coast campground, Yurigahama beach, the Southern Cross Center hill.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Southern Cross Center, Yunnu Rakuen, the cave shrine) and eat pages with last orders.
- Tide and boat fixtures for Yurigahama so the sandbar day can go green.