Major city · Japan
Shiraishi Island白石島
Go for one night in Jul–Aug if you want a beach; otherwise skip — the ferry and the single restaurant make a day trip thin.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Jul–Aug for the beach and the Odori; May–Jun and Sep–Oct for walking
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, most facilities closed); Obon week for crowds and ferry queues
- Airports
- OKJ · KIX
- 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.
Shiraishi is a Seto Inland Sea island of about 350 people, part of Kasaoka in Okayama Prefecture. It is a summer island: a public beach, sea kayaking and windsurfing, a free beach campsite and the Shiraishi Odori dance on 14–16 August. Outside July and August most facilities shut and the island is a quiet walk.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Shiraishi Island, 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.
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 (≈ US$19) Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (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.
- AirportOKJ Okayama Momotaro Airport (Bus or train to Okayama, then JR to Kasaoka; allow 1.5–2 h to the ferry).
- Getting aroundWalk or cycle: the island is about 6 km around and can be crossed end to end in under an hour.Walk or cycle: the island is about 3.7 mi around and can be crossed end to end in under an hour.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealSan-chan's meal (curry noodles, fried rice)¥800–1,500 (≈ US$6–11)
- BeerBeer at San-chan's¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedRyokan, per person, a night, per person¥4,500 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedInternational Villa, per person, a night, per person¥5,000 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedInternational Villa, per person, a night, per person¥5,000 (≈ US$35)
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 →
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
- OKJ Okayama Momotaro Airport (Bus or train to Okayama, then JR to Kasaoka; allow 1.5–2 h to the ferry) · KIX Kansai International (Shinkansen or limited express to Okayama, then JR to Kasaoka; allow 3.5–4 h)
Weather and climate
Shiraishi Island: 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
9°C48°F
1°C34°F
5 rd
Feb
10°C50°F
1°C34°F
6 rd
Mar
14°C57°F
4°C39°F
9 rd
Apr
20°C68°F
9°C48°F
9 rd
May
24°C75°F
14°C57°F
10 rd
Jun
27°C81°F
19°C66°F
11 rd
Jul
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
10 rd
Aug
33°C91°F
25°C77°F
8 rd
Sep
29°C84°F
21°C70°F
9 rd
Oct
23°C73°F
14°C57°F
7 rd
Nov
17°C63°F
8°C46°F
6 rd
Dec
12°C54°F
3°C37°F
5 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or cycle: the island is about 6 km around and can be crossed end to end in under an hour. There is no public transport on the island and no reason to bring a car.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Manabeshima
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Sanyo Kisen ferry from Shiraishi
Another car-free island on the same ferry network; check connections before you go.
Kasaoka
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Sanyo Kisen ferry to Kasaoka, then a walk of under 10 min to JR Kasaoka
Mainland jumping-off point: supermarket, JR trains and onward buses.
Door to door: About 1.5–2 h
Ferry to Kasaoka, JR to Kurashiki
Canal district and Ohara Museum; works as a half day from Kasaoka, not from the island.
Door to door: 3 h+
Ferry to Kasaoka, JR to Uno, then the ferry
Too long to return the same day; sleep on Naoshima or in Uno.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Beach side (San-chan's and Shiraishi Guest House)
North end of the beach; cheapest beds, no English spoken, shared kitchen in the newer guest house.
Hill above the beach (Shiraishi International Villa)
Deck with sunset and beach views, full kitchen, English-speaking reservations; the usual pick for foreign visitors.
West of the beach (Amagiso Ryokan)
Japanese-style rooms and shared bath; meals in high season only if requested ahead.
Beach campsite
Free, no equipment provided, public toilets on the beach.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–13,000 (≈ US$55–90) excl. bed
- High
- ¥13,000 (≈ US$90)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or minshuku bed2 × 1 night × ¥5,000 | ¥10,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥9,000 | ¥18,000 |
| Sanyo Kisen ferry, Kasaoka–Shiraishi, both ways2 × ¥1,000 | ¥2,000 |
| Meals at San-chan's, one day2 × ¥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 | ¥3,900 |
| Trip total≈ ¥21,450 per person per day, bed included | ¥42,900≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in yen; ferry and travel to Kasaoka excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Ferry Kasaoka → Shiraishi, one way | about ¥500 (≈ US$4) (check) |
| San-chan's meal (curry noodles, fried rice) | ¥800–1,500 (≈ US$6–11) |
| Guesthouse bed, per person | ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) |
| Ryokan bed, per person | ¥4,500–10,500 (≈ US$35–75) |
| Beach camping | Free |
| Beer at San-chan's | ¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferries are limited and the last boat back to Kasaoka leaves in the evening: check the Sanyo Kisen timetable before you commit to a day trip.
- San-chan's is the only real restaurant; it opens Jul–Aug and may close early on weeknights unless you call ahead.
- Self-caterers should buy food in Kasaoka — the supermarket is next to the ferry terminal and train station.
- Most guesthouses take cash; the only ATM is at the post office during business hours.
- Mobile coverage is fine on major carriers; free Wi-Fi is at the port and some lodgings.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Shiraishi Island白石島
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
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
No embassies on the island; consulates-general are in Osaka and embassies in Tokyo. The US consulate in Osaka handles Okayama Prefecture.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kasaoka → Shiraishi, Sanyo Kisen: about ¥500 (≈ US$4), about 30 min (check)
- JR Okayama → Kasaoka: about ¥600–800 (≈ US$5–6), 45–60 min (check)
- Ferry Shiraishi → Manabeshima: check the Sanyo Kisen timetable; not all sailings connect
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)
- フェリーターミナルはどこですか？ — Where is the ferry terminal? (ferī tāminaru wa doko desu ka)
- 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 the default on the island: the only ATM is at the post office, weekdays 09:00–17:00.
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 Shiraishi Island. 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: Jul–Aug for the beach and the Odori; May–Jun and Sep–Oct for walking · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, most facilities closed); Obon week for crowds and ferry queues · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry-to-bed contract for Shiraishi: Sanyo Kisen timetable field-checked, last-boat fallback in Kasaoka, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: port, beach and campsite, International Villa hill, Yoroi-iwa, post office.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Yoroi-iwa, the miniature 88 Temple Pilgrimage, the Odori dance ground) and eat pages with last orders.
- Summer and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.