A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hongcun vs. Shiretoko National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hongcun 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 Hongcun 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.

Where Should I go: Hongcun or Shiretoko National Park?

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.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park, Japan is comprises the entire Shiretoko Penninusla in the northeast island of Hokkaido. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be one of the most remote areas in Japan with very few and very small settlements. This makes Shiretoko the perfect place for a fun hiking and camping adventure.

While the park is open year round, the weather in the area tends to greatly affect the enjoyment of your trip due to harsh winters and heavy rain at the end of summer. There is a short period from May to early July that is considered the best time to visit due to slightly less rain and comfortable temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hongcun and Shiretoko National Park, we can see that Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park Expensive?.

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

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

Both Shiretoko National Park and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Shiretoko National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Hongcun is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In July, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Shiretoko National Park. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Shiretoko National Park and Hongcun during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Shiretoko National Park this time of year.

In the autumn, Hongcun is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hongcun in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Hongcun usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Shiretoko National Park. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Shiretoko National Park.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Shiretoko National Park. It's quite cold in Hongcun in the winter. In January, Hongcun is generally much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 4°C (40°F), and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around -6°C (20°F).

In January, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Shiretoko National Park. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Shiretoko National Park. Additionally, many visitors come to Shiretoko National Park in the spring for the natural beauty.

Shiretoko National Park can get quite cold in the spring. Hongcun is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hongcun usually gets more rain in April than Shiretoko National Park. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Shiretoko National Park and Hongcun