A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Atami vs. Shiretoko National Park for Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Atami or Shiretoko National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Atami and Shiretoko National Park can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Atami

Atami is a authentic, overlooked, and nostalgic town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park is a national park remote,natural,scenic,pristine. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking.

Atami and Shiretoko National Park: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Public transit not as usable


Is there more to do in Atami or Shiretoko National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Atami. Although Atami and Shiretoko National Park are both popular with visitors, Atami has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Atami is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Shiretoko National Park is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Atami is popular for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches. It is also home to Kinomiya Shrine. Shiretoko National Park is popular for its pristine ecosystems, diverse wildlife, and rugged coastline.

How is Atami different from Shiretoko National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Shiretoko National Park and Atami. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atami or Shiretoko National Park?

Atami
Shiretoko National Park

Atami is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for its museums and history.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Atami. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Shiretoko National Park. This is a beautiful and pristine park, but there are limited amenities and museums in the area. You can hit up the Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center for information on the region.


Is the Food Better in Atami or Shiretoko National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Atami
Shiretoko National Park

Atami is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for its restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

While Shiretoko National Park is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. There are a couple of restaurants on the edge of the park, but if you're planning to do any hiking, it's best to bring your own food.

Is Atami or Shiretoko National Park Better for Nightlife?

Atami
Shiretoko National Park

Atami is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Atami. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Shiretoko National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Atami or Shiretoko National Park Better for Beaches?

Atami
Shiretoko National Park

Atami is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a beach destination.

Atami has a beach worth visiting. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Shiretoko National Park is not a beach destination.


Is Atami or Shiretoko National Park Better for Hiking?

Atami
Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Around Shiretoko National Park visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The park is pristine with striking and varied landscapes as well as diverse wildlife. Hiking is the best way to experience the area, and the scenic views, and world class hiking trails are among the best.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atami or Shiretoko National Park?

Atami
Shiretoko National Park

Atami is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Atami to go shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Shiretoko National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Atami or Shiretoko National Park Better for Families?

Atami
Shiretoko National Park

Both Atami and Shiretoko National Park are good to visit with kids.

Atami is a family-friendly town. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Shiretoko National Park. Kids who enjoy an outdoor adventure will appreciate a visit to this park. There are wildlife viewing opportunities as well as mult-day hiking trails. Some parts of the park are challenging to access, so younger kids may be limited in what they can do.


Is Atami or Shiretoko National Park Better for Couples?

Atami
Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Shiretoko National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy nature, wildlife, and pristine hiking trails will enjoy a visit to this remote and natural park. There are many great hikes as well as scenic spots that you can explore.

Atami is a good town for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Atami or Shiretoko National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atami
Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Shiretoko National Park. Multi-day treks are a great way to explore the park and see the parts that are less popular with tourists.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Atami or Shiretoko National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atami
Shiretoko National Park

Atami is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for times when you don't have a car.

Atami has a few public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Public transit is quite limited in Shiretoko National Park. While there are buses that travel from Utoro to the east coast, they are infrequent. Your best options for visiting the park are having a private vehicle or joining a tour. Many parts of the park are only accessible by hiking or by boat.


Is Atami or Shiretoko National Park a more walkable city?

Atami
Shiretoko National Park

Atami and Shiretoko National Park are good when it comes to walkability.

Atami is a somewhat walkable place. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Shiretoko National Park is a somewhat walkable town. It's a vast park with many hiking and cycling trails.

For even more information, also check out Is Atami Worth Visiting? and Is Shiretoko National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Shiretoko National Park or Atami?

How long in Atami or Shiretoko National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Atami or Shiretoko National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Shiretoko National Park due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Atami, and 3-4 days is enough time in Shiretoko National Park.

Families should spend more time in Atami than Shiretoko National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Atami, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Atami than Shiretoko National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Atami that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atami than Shiretoko National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Atami.


  • How many days in Atami or Shiretoko National Park? Ideal Length of Stay
    Atami 1-2 
    Shiretoko National Park 3-4

One day in Atami or Shiretoko National Park?

You'll find nightlife and food around the nostalgic town of Atami. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

In Shiretoko National Park, many people enjoy the that this national park destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This remote,natural,scenic,pristine offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Atami or Shiretoko National Park?

Atami is a popular choice for travelers. A weekend here is typical. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shiretoko National Park. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


Five days in Atami or Shiretoko National Park?

Atami is a great place to explore. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Shiretoko National Park is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Shiretoko National Park. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Atami or Shiretoko National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atami. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find around the national park destination of Shiretoko National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Shiretoko National Park or Atami?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Atami is $86, while the average daily cost in Shiretoko National Park is $74. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Atami and Shiretoko National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Atami $43
    Shiretoko National Park $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Atami $86
    Shiretoko National Park $66
Compare Hotels in Atami and Shiretoko National Park

Looking for a hotel in Atami or Shiretoko National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Atami


Hotels in Shiretoko National Park


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Atami Hotel Prices and Shiretoko National Park Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Atami $35
    Shiretoko National Park $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atami

Also for Atami, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Haneda Airport to/from Izu or Atami City Private Transfer: $576
  • Narita Airport to/from Izu or Atami City Private Transfer: $672

Is it cheaper to fly into Atami or Shiretoko National Park?

Prices for flights to both Shiretoko National Park and Atami change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Atami $24
    Shiretoko National Park $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Atami $7.68
    Shiretoko National Park $15

Tours and Activities in Atami

For Atami, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • "Explore Atami's Culinary Culture" Walking Tour: $45
  • Odawara Castle and Town Guided Discovery Tour: $107
  • ACAO BEACH: Tent Sauna experience at private resort: $118
  • Exclusive Geisha Experience: $118
  • Ninja, Samurai, Odawara Castle Experience: $133
  • Hakone one day tour: $160

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Atami $5.45
    Shiretoko National Park $10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atami and Shiretoko National Park, we can see that Atami is more expensive. And not only is Shiretoko National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shiretoko National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shiretoko National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Atami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atami than you might in Shiretoko National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Atami Expensive? and Is Shiretoko National Park Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Atami or Shiretoko National Park?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Atami or Shiretoko National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Atami as well as Shiretoko National Park. Most visitors come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Shiretoko National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Atami is a little warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Atami in July average around 26°C (78°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In the summer, Atami often gets less sunshine than Shiretoko National Park. Atami gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 hours of full sun.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the summer. Atami usually gets more rain in July than Shiretoko National Park. Atami gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Atami 26°C (78°F) 
    Shiretoko National Park 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Atami or Shiretoko National Park in the Autumn?

Both Shiretoko National Park and Atami are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Atami because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Shiretoko National Park this time of year.

In October, Atami is generally much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Daily temperatures in Atami average around 18°C (64°F), and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Atami usually receives less sunshine than Shiretoko National Park during autumn. Atami gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 158 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Atami. In October, Atami usually receives more rain than Shiretoko National Park. Atami gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Atami 18°C (64°F) 
    Shiretoko National Park 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Atami or Shiretoko National Park in the Winter?

Both Shiretoko National Park and Atami during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Shiretoko National Park. Atami is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around -6°C (20°F).

In the winter, Atami often gets more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park. Atami gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 108 hours of full sun.

Atami usually gets more rain in January than Shiretoko National Park. Atami gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Atami 5°C (42°F) 
    Shiretoko National Park -6°C (20°F)

Should I visit Atami or Shiretoko National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Atami and Shiretoko National Park. Many travelers come to Atami for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Shiretoko National Park in the spring for the natural beauty.

Shiretoko National Park can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Atami is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Atami in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Atami usually receives less sunshine than Shiretoko National Park during spring. Atami gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Atami usually receives more rain than Shiretoko National Park. Atami gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Atami 14°C (57°F) 
    Shiretoko National Park 5°C (40°F)

Typical Weather for Shiretoko National Park and Atami

Atami Shiretoko National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (42°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) -6°C (20°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) -7°C (19°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 153 mm (6 in) -3°C (28°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 14°C (57°F) 163 mm (6.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 164 mm (6.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 254 mm (10 in) 13°C (56°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jul 26°C (78°F) 202 mm (8 in) 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 222 mm (8.7 in) 20°C (67°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 209 mm (8.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 154 mm (6.1 in) 10°C (51°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 108 mm (4.2 in) 4°C (38°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 8°C (46°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) -2°C (28°F) 51 mm (2 in)


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