Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Hongcun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hongcun or Osaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hongcun and Osaka 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: Hongcun or Osaka?
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHongcun $52Osaka $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $52, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $88. 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 Hongcun and Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHongcun $23Osaka $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHongcun $46Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Osaka? 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.
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: Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hongcun $12Osaka $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Osaka Itami Airport to/from Osaka City: Shared Transfer: $23
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Osaka City: $25
- Private Transfer by Sedan from Itama Airport ITM to Osaka City : $58
- Kuchu Teien Observatory Ticket with Private Transfer: $62
- Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $66
- Osaka Int Airport (ITM) to Osaka city - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- Private Transfer from Osaka Airport (ITM) to Osaka Cruise Port: $66
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Kyoto City: $66
- Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $68
- Osaka to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $70
- TeamLab Botanical Garden Ticket and Private Transfer: $71
- Private Transfer from Osaka Port to Osaka Kansai Int Airport: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka and Hongcun 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
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Food Meals for one dayHongcun $19Osaka $25
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.83
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.07
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $25
- 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $26
- Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $36
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $45
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $49
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $61
- Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka: $63
- Osaka Authentic Tempura & Miso Soup Japan Cooking Class: $64
- RAMEN and 2 types GYOZA (dumplings) Cooking Class: $65
- Three Types of RAMEN Cooking Class: $65
- Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka Umeda : $65
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka Dotonbori: $66
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hongcun $17Osaka $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$30
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Osaka Castle: Museum and Tower Entry Ticket: $3.79
- Table Tennis Experience with Local Players: $4.42
- Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.42
- Ryurei Teicha: Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony) Experience in Osaka: $5.05
- Osaka Sakishima Observatory Advance Ticket: $5.68
- Dotonbori District Sightseeing Cruise & Beer Discount: $7.58
- Tsutenkaku Entry Ticket: $7.67
- Umeda Sky Building E-Ticket: $9.47
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory E-Ticket: $11
- Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory Entry Ticket: $12
- Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum:Ukiyo-e Woodblock Printing Experience: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHongcun $14Osaka $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Namba Hidden Places Bar Crawl: $16
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $30
- Osaka Evening: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $32
- Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $38
- Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Osaka, we can see that Osaka is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka than you might in Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hongcun Expensive? and Is Osaka Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hongcun or Osaka?
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 Hongcun or Osaka in the Summer?
Both Osaka and Hongcun during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Osaka because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Hongcun is around the same temperature as Osaka in the summer. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Osaka fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. Hongcun usually gets more rain in July than Osaka. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHongcun 29°C (85°F)Osaka 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Osaka in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Osaka. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.
In the autumn, Hongcun is around the same temperature as Osaka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hongcun in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Osaka averages at about 19°C (66°F).
Osaka receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Osaka. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHongcun 19°C (65°F)Osaka 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Osaka in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Osaka. Also, many travelers come to Osaka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Hongcun in the winter. In January, Hongcun is generally cooler than Osaka. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 4°C (40°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Hongcun usually gets less rain in January than Osaka. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHongcun 4°C (40°F)Osaka 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Osaka in the Spring?
Both Osaka and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Osaka in the spring for the activities around the city.
Hongcun is a little warmer than Osaka in the spring. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Osaka fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In April, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Osaka. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHongcun 17°C (62°F)Osaka 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Osaka and Hongcun
| Hongcun | Osaka | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.