Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Kobe?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kobe or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kobe and Yakushima. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kobe or Yakushima?
Kobe
Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is a port city in Japan also considered to be one of the country's most attractive. Though it was devastated by a historic earthquake in 1995, known locally as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Kobe has fully recovered to its cosmopolitan splendor with plenty for visitors to see and do.
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 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKobe $103Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Kobe is $103, 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 Kobe and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKobe $60Yakushima $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKobe $120Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Kobe and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Kobe 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.
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: Kobe Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kobe $13Yakushima $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe
Also for Kobe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- Private Transfer from Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe Cruise Port: $48
- Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport: $48
- Arima Onsen Resorts to Osaka Airport (ITM) Departure Transfer: $54
- Private Arrival Transfer From Kobe Airport to Kobe City: $64
- Private Transfer from Kobe Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $85
- Private departure transfer from Kobe City & Arima Onsen to Kansai Airport : $94
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $110
- Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Car: $131
- Departure Private Transfers from Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Car: $131
- Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Van: $162
- Arrival Private Transfers from Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Van: $162
Is it cheaper to fly into Kobe or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Kobe 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 dayKobe $30Yakushima $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kobe
For Kobe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $234
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =standard=: $278
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =premium=: $304
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kobe $23Yakushima $20
Tours and Activities in Kobe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kobe.
- Kobe Urban Aquarium AQUARIUM×ART átoa Admission Ticket: $17
- Mt Rokko night view & Arima Onsen & Sanda Outlet Tour: $58
- Kobe : Private Custom Tour (Excursion to Osaka / Kyoto possible): $67
- Private Tour - Excursion to Osaka / Kyoto possible: $69
- Private tour - Experience Kobe's Best Gems with a local host: $78
- KOBE Sake Walking Tour in Japan's Top Sake Breweries: $85
- Sake Tour and Tasting in Kobe: $86
- Kobe Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $93
- Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $93
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour: $94
- KOBE, SHIOYA, a quaint fishing town walking tour : $97
- Private Tour Guide Kobe with a Local: Kickstart your Trip, Personalized: $101
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKobe $8.56Yakushima $6.38
Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kobe:
- 3-hour KOBE Sake brewery & tasting walking tour with guide: $85
- Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $87
- Nada Sake Brewery District Private Walking Tour: $136
- 5-Hour Nadagogo Sake Brewery Private Guided Experience: $179
When comparing the travel costs between Kobe 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 Kobe Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kobe 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 Kobe or Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Kobe during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kobe this time of year.
In July, Kobe is generally around the same temperature as Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 27°C (80°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 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 Kobe. Kobe usually gets less rain in July than Yakushima. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKobe 27°C (80°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kobe or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Yakushima. Many travelers come to Kobe for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Kobe is cooler than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kobe usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKobe 18°C (65°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Kobe or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Yakushima. Many visitors come to Kobe in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Kobe is much colder than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kobe in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Kobe usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKobe 5°C (42°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Kobe or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kobe for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Kobe is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 15°C (58°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Kobe. In April, Kobe usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKobe 15°C (58°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Kobe
| Kobe | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (42°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 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.