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

Should you visit Koyasan 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 Koyasan 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: Koyasan or Yakushima?

Koyasan

Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koyasan and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Koyasan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koyasan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koyasan 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 Yakushima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yakushima than you might in Koyasan.

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

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koyasan and Yakushima. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.

Koyasan is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the summer. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koyasan usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Koyasan gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koyasan or Yakushima in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koyasan as well as Yakushima. Many travelers come to Koyasan for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Koyasan is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koyasan in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Yakushima averages at about 22°C (71°F).

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koyasan usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Koyasan gets 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Koyasan or Yakushima in the Winter?

Both Yakushima and Koyasan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Koyasan in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

In January, Koyasan is generally much colder than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Koyasan average around 6°C (42°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In January, Koyasan usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Koyasan gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Koyasan or Yakushima in the Spring?

Both Yakushima and Koyasan during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Koyasan for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Koyasan is cooler than Yakushima in the spring. The daily temperature in Koyasan averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. Koyasan usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Koyasan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Koyasan