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

Should you visit Kamakura or Yakushima?

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

Should I visit Kamakura or Yakushima? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Kamakura or Yakushima?

Kamakura

An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.

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 Kamakura?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kamakura is $105, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $118. 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 Kamakura and Yakushima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kamakura $75
    Yakushima $59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kamakura $150
    Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Kamakura and Yakushima

Looking for a hotel in Kamakura 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 Kamakura


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: Kamakura Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kamakura $15
    Yakushima $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Kamakura or Yakushima?

Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Kamakura 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
    Kamakura $21
    Yakushima $28

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kamakura $5.66
    Yakushima $21

Tours and Activities in Kamakura

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kamakura are as follows:

  • Kita-Kamakura Audio Guide Tour: Discovering Zen Serenity: $6.60
  • Audio Guide Tour of Historic Sites around Kamakura Station: $6.60
  • Traditional Kimono Rental Experience at WARGO: $26
  • Traditional Kimono Rental Experience at WARGO: $37
  • Kamakura; First Samurai Capital walking tour: $40
  • Kamakura Rickshaw Tour: $41
  • Half-Day Tour to Seven Gods of Fortune in Kamakura and Enoshima: $41
  • Private Tour from North Kamakura Temples & Shrine: $42
  • Half day Walking tour & Japanese sweets: $46
  • Private History and Heritage Tour by Rickshaw: $53
  • Homemade Sushi and Supermarket Tour in Kamakura: $54
  • Kamakura Anime Train Photo Tour: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kamakura $13
    Yakushima $6.45


When comparing the travel costs between Kamakura 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 Kamakura Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Kamakura or Yakushima?

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 Kamakura or Yakushima in the Summer?

Both Yakushima and Kamakura are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kamakura is around the same temperature as Yakushima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kamakura in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Yakushima averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Kamakura. In July, Kamakura usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Kamakura gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kamakura 25°C (77°F) 
    Yakushima 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Kamakura or Yakushima in the Autumn?

Both Yakushima and Kamakura during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.

In October, Kamakura is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Kamakura average around 18°C (64°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. Kamakura usually gets more rain in October than Yakushima. Kamakura gets 177 mm (7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kamakura 18°C (64°F) 
    Yakushima 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Kamakura or Yakushima in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kamakura and Yakushima. Many travelers come to Kamakura for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kamakura is much colder than Yakushima in the winter. The daily temperature in Kamakura averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kamakura usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Kamakura gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kamakura 6°C (43°F) 
    Yakushima 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Kamakura or Yakushima in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kamakura as well as Yakushima. Many visitors come to Kamakura in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Kamakura is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kamakura in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Yakushima averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kamakura usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Kamakura gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kamakura 14°C (58°F) 
    Yakushima 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Kamakura

Kamakura Yakushima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (43°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Feb 6°C (44°F) 75 mm (3 in) 12°C (53°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 127 mm (5 in) 14°C (57°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
May 19°C (65°F) 162 mm (6.4 in) 21°C (69°F) 288 mm (11.3 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 218 mm (8.6 in) 24°C (74°F) 352 mm (13.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 189 mm (7.4 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 180 mm (7.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 253 mm (10 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 177 mm (7 in) 22°C (71°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Nov 13°C (56°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 9°C (48°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)


Related Articles for Kamakura
Related Articles for Yakushima