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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Tokashiki
渡嘉敷
Two days on Tokashiki: one for the two main beaches, a second for snorkeling or diving. A day trip from Naha is possible but rushed.
Tokashiki is the most accessible Kerama island from Naha: 35 minutes by high-speed ferry. Its two main beaches, Aharen and Tokashiku, offer white sand and clear water. The island is small enough to explore on foot or by rental scooter, and diving or whale-watching (Jan–Apr) are the main draws.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 渡嘉敷
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (typhoon season), Jan–Feb (cooler, less beach weather)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥6,000–9,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥9,000–15,000 excl. bed · High ¥15,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119 · Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English) 050-3816-2787
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café) | ¥400–600 |
| Bowl of soba or Okinawa soba | ¥700–1,200 |
| Beer (can at konbini / draught at restaurant) | ¥250–350 / ¥600–800 |
| Scooter rental (per day) | ¥3,000–5,000 |
| Bicycle rental (per day) | ¥1,000–2,000 |
| Snorkel set rental (per day) | ¥1,500–2,500 |
| Dive (one tank, with gear) | ¥8,000–12,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- OKA · Naha Airport (Okinawa)
- From Naha Airport, take a taxi or bus to Tomari Port (about 20 min by taxi, ¥1,500–2,000).
Typical fares
- High-speed ferry Naha → Tokashiki
- about ¥4,200 round trip, 35 min (check)
- Slow ferry Naha → Tokashiki
- about ¥3,200 round trip, 70 min (check)
- Local bus port → Aharen Beach
- about ¥350 one way (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Local buses and hotel shuttles meet ferries at the port (about ¥700 round trip). Scooter and bicycle rentals available near the port. Walking is feasible between the port and Aharen Village (about 20 min).
See and do
Known for
- Aharen Beach
- Tokashiku Beach
- Snorkeling and diving
- Whale-watching (Jan–Apr)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Zamami | High-speed ferry from Tokashiki port (about 20 min) or via Naha | About 1 h |
| Akajima | High-speed ferry from Tokashiki port (about 25 min) or via Naha | About 1 h |
| Kumejima | Ferry from Naha (about 3 h) or flight from Naha Airport | About 3.5 h |
Sleep
- Aharen Village
- Closest to Aharen Beach; most guesthouses and dive shops here.
- Tokashiku Village
- Near Tokashiku Beach; quieter, fewer accommodation options.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| This one, please | これをくださいkore o kudasai |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Can I pay by card? | カードで払えますか？kādo de haraemasu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Ferry tickets sell out in summer and on weekends: book ahead via the village website.
- The slow ferry (Ferry Kerama, 70 min) is cheaper but runs only once daily; check the schedule.
- Beaches have no lifeguards: swim at your own risk.
- Typhoons can cancel ferries with little notice; have a backup plan.
Tokashiki is generally safe. The main risks are sunburn, strong currents at some beaches, and typhoons that can strand you on the island. Always check ferry schedules before heading out.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Tokashiki yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Aharen Beach
- Tokashiku Beach
- Snorkeling and diving
- Whale-watching (Jan–Apr)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Tokashiki Tourist Association: tokashiki.info/
- Wikivoyage: Tokashiki, revision 5229618 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5229618
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Tokashiki渡嘉敷
ここまでお願いします
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
The US has a consulate in Naha (check address); most other countries have embassies in Tokyo or consulates in Naha.
Ferry schedules change seasonally; check the village website before travel.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/tokashiki). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.