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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Zamami
Spend 2–3 days to snorkel, dive and relax; one day is too short, more than 3 adds little extra value.
Zamami Island, part of the Kerama Islands National Park, offers world‑class snorkeling, diving and whale‑watching. With limited ferries (2–3 per day) and a compact size, 2–3 days let you see the beaches, rent a bike or scooter, and join a marine‑activity tour without rushing.
- Country
- Japan
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Aug–Sep (peak tourists, hotter seas)
- 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 ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–12,000 excl. bed · High ¥12,000+ 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
- 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 |
|---|---|
| High‑speed ferry (Queen Zamami) one‑way | ¥3,140 |
| Standard ferry (Ferry Zamami) one‑way | ¥2,120 |
| Bike rental | ¥1,500 per day |
| Snorkel set (mask, snorkel, fins) | ¥1,500 per day |
| Village bus one‑way | ¥300 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- OKA · Naha Airport
- Ferry to Zamami departs from Tomari Port in Naha (≈1 h by high‑speed ferry).
Typical fares
- Tomari Port → Zamami Port, high‑speed ferry (Queen)
- ¥3,140 one‑way, about 1 h (check schedule)
- Bike rental, one day
- ¥1,500
- Snorkel gear, one day
- ¥1,500
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
After the ferry, walk 20 min to the nearest beaches or rent a bike (¥1,500/day) or scooter (¥1,500/day). Village bus runs two routes (¥300 one‑way) timed to ferry arrivals. A single taxi is often out of service.
See and do
Known for
- snorkeling and diving
- sea kayaking
- whale watching (Dec–Apr)
- white‑sand beaches
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Akajima (Aka Island) | Mitsushima Inter‑Island Ferry from Zamami Port, about 15 min | ≈30 min total |
| Tokashiki Island | Mitsushima Inter‑Island Ferry (Kerama Route) from Zamami Port, about 30 min | ≈1 h total |
Sleep
- Minshuku (family‑run inns)
- Small‑scale pensions throughout the main Zamami area; many accept English speakers.
- Ama Beach campground
- 15 min walk from ferry port; ¥1,000 per person/night for a tent, ¥300 fee for facilities.
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 |
| 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
- Only 2–3 ferries per day; book online (Web Reservation System) especially during Golden Week, summer and October.
- Ferry schedules vary; afternoon ferries may leave before you finish a day‑trip – verify times.
- The island taxi may be unavailable; rely on bike/scooter or the village bus.
Low crime overall; keep an eye on belongings on beaches and follow marine safety guidelines.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Zamami yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- snorkeling and diving
- sea kayaking
- whale watching (Dec–Apr)
- white‑sand beaches
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Zamami Tourist Information (official): www.visit-zamami.com/english-information/
- Wikidata – Zamami: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Zamami, revision 5258413 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5258413
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/zamami). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.