A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Hiroshima vs. Yakushima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima 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: Hiroshima or Yakushima?

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is positioned on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea and is an industrial city made up of many zigzagging rivers and wide boulevard streets. Today Hiroshima is a modern and vibrant city with great food and an energetic nightlife, but the image that remains in most visitor's minds is the Hiroshima of 1945 when it became the horrific sight of the first atomic bomb attack. Hiroshima shares the colorful neon atmosphere of other major Japanese cities and its hard to recognize the city immortalized all those years ago on that fateful day.

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 Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Hiroshima?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Hiroshima is $100, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $116. 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 Hiroshima and Yakushima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hiroshima $64
    Yakushima $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hiroshima $128
    Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Hiroshima and Yakushima

Looking for a hotel in Hiroshima or Yakushima? 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 Hiroshima


Hotels in Yakushima


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: Hiroshima Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hiroshima $9.71
    Yakushima $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hiroshima

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

  • Private Transfer from Hiroshima Airport (HIJ) to Hiroshima Port: $53
  • Private Transfer from Hiroshima Port to Hiroshima Airport (HIJ): $53
  • Private Transfer from Hiroshima Airport (HIJ) to Hiroshima Port: $59
  • Hiroshima Airport to/from Hiroshima City Private Transfer: $175
  • Private Departure Transfer Hiroshima City to Hiroshima International Airport: $220
  • Private Arrival Transfer From Hiroshima International Airport to Hiroshima City: $220
  • Iwakuni Airport to/from Hiroshima City Private Transfer: $233
  • Hiroshima port Shore excursion Private transfer: $484

Is it cheaper to fly into Hiroshima or Yakushima?

Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Hiroshima 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
    Hiroshima $29
    Yakushima $28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hiroshima

For Hiroshima, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hiroshima No1 food!! 'Okonomiyaki'-cooking class: $41
  • Food and Culture Guided Walking Tour with Dinner: $75
  • Bar Hopping Food Tour: $81
  • Hiroshima Bar Hopping Food Tour: $83
  • Enjoy a Private Japanese Cooking Class with a Local Hiroshima Family: $90
  • Dinner Cruise on HANAIKADA (Raft-Type Boat) with Scenic View of Miyajima: $97
  • Best of Hiroshima Food Tour: $157

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hiroshima $5.39
    Yakushima $20

Tours and Activities in Hiroshima

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hiroshima.

  • 1, 2 or 3 Day Tourist Travel Card: $6.47
  • Visit World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine by sea & Oyster raft tour: $25
  • Kumano Brush Factory Tour and Brush-Making Experience: $26
  • Mihara Goshushi Tour-Walking around the castle town Mihara-: $26
  • Peace Park Tour VR/Hiroshima: $32
  • Original Amulet Making Experience: $33
  • Guided Virtual Tour of Peace Park in Hiroshima/PEACE PARK TOUR VR: $33
  • Sunset Walking Tour at Peace Park in Hiroshima: $33
  • Traditional Japanese Archery Experience: $36
  • Japanese Traditional Archery Experience Hiroshima : $36
  • Field Archery Experience in Hiroshima, Japan: $38
  • Private Miyajima Rickshaw Tour Including Itsukushima Shrine: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hiroshima $12
    Yakushima $6.38


When comparing the travel costs between Hiroshima and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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



When is the best time to visit Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima or Yakushima in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Hiroshima is around the same temperature as Yakushima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hiroshima in July average around 26°C (79°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 Hiroshima. Hiroshima usually gets more rain in July than Yakushima. Hiroshima gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hiroshima 26°C (79°F) 
    Yakushima 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Hiroshima or Yakushima in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hiroshima and Yakushima. Many visitors come to Hiroshima in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Hiroshima is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Hiroshima average around 17°C (63°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hiroshima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hiroshima usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Hiroshima gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hiroshima 17°C (63°F) 
    Yakushima 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Hiroshima or Yakushima in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hiroshima as well as Yakushima. Most visitors come to Hiroshima for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hiroshima can be very cold during winter. Hiroshima is much colder than Yakushima in the winter. The daily temperature in Hiroshima averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Hiroshima usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Hiroshima gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hiroshima 4°C (40°F) 
    Yakushima 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Hiroshima or Yakushima in the Spring?

Both Yakushima and Hiroshima are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Hiroshima is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hiroshima in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Yakushima averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Hiroshima. In April, Hiroshima usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Hiroshima gets 168 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hiroshima 14°C (56°F) 
    Yakushima 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Hiroshima

Hiroshima Yakushima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (52°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Feb 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 14°C (56°F) 168 mm (6.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 21°C (69°F) 288 mm (11.3 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 260 mm (10.2 in) 24°C (74°F) 352 mm (13.9 in)
Jul 26°C (79°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 253 mm (10 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 102 mm (4 in) 22°C (71°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Nov 12°C (53°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)