A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Chichibu-Tama-Kai vs. Yakushima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Yakushima?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Yakushima 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.

Where Should I go: Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Yakushima?

Chichibu-Tama-Kai

Located at the intersection of the Saitama, Yamanashi, Nagano, and Tokyo Prefectures, Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park is a national park in Japan webbed with hiking trails and many ancient shrines. Mount Mitake, Mount Mitsumine, and Mount Mito are just three of the eight peaks that tower above the park at over 2000 meters, while rivers sources flowing below include the Arakawa River, Shinano River, Tama River, and Fuefuki River (Fuji River).

Yakushima

Yakushima, Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage island located north of Okinawa and off the south east of of Kyushu. The island is well-known to Japanese tourists but not so much to international ones, making it a bit of a hidden gem to international tourists. This also means that English isn't spoken as much as in larger cities, so make sure to brush up on your Japanese and bring a dictionary.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Chichibu-Tama-Kai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chichibu-Tama-Kai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chichibu-Tama-Kai 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 Yakushima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yakushima than you might in Chichibu-Tama-Kai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chichibu-Tama-Kai Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Yakushima?

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 Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Yakushima in the Summer?

Both Yakushima and Chichibu-Tama-Kai during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is around the same temperature as Yakushima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chichibu-Tama-Kai in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Yakushima averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chichibu-Tama-Kai. Chichibu-Tama-Kai usually gets less rain in July than Yakushima. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Yakushima in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chichibu-Tama-Kai and Yakushima. Many visitors come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Chichibu-Tama-Kai average around 17°C (62°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chichibu-Tama-Kai usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Yakushima in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chichibu-Tama-Kai as well as Yakushima. Most visitors come to Chichibu-Tama-Kai for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Chichibu-Tama-Kai can be very cold during winter. Chichibu-Tama-Kai is much colder than Yakushima in the winter. The daily temperature in Chichibu-Tama-Kai averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Chichibu-Tama-Kai usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chichibu-Tama-Kai or Yakushima in the Spring?

Both Yakushima and Chichibu-Tama-Kai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Chichibu-Tama-Kai because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Chichibu-Tama-Kai is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chichibu-Tama-Kai in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Yakushima averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In April, Chichibu-Tama-Kai usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Chichibu-Tama-Kai gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Chichibu-Tama-Kai