A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Kyoto vs. Shiretoko National Park for Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a historic, cultural, and fascinating city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. You'll find world class beauty in Kyoto as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Kyoto travel costs.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park is a national park remote,natural,scenic,pristine. The beauty of Shiretoko National Park is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking. See Shiretoko National Park travel costs.

Kyoto and Shiretoko National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kyoto. Although Kyoto and Shiretoko National Park are both popular with visitors, Kyoto has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kyoto is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Shiretoko National Park is known for its hiking. Kyoto is more touristy than Shiretoko National Park and is known for its Buddhist temples, cultural activities, and rich history. It is also home to Kinkaku-ji. Shiretoko National Park is popular for its pristine ecosystems, diverse wildlife, and rugged coastline.

How is Kyoto different from Shiretoko National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Shiretoko National Park and Kyoto. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park?

Kyoto is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Kyoto on the map. With its long-running history, there are many traditional buildings and temples in town. Nijo Castle is stunning to explore, but also make sure you visit the Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, the Golden Pavilion, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Shiretoko National Park. This is a beautiful and pristine park, but there are limited amenities and museums in the area. You can hit up the Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center for information on the region.

Is the Food Better in Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kyoto is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for its restaurants.

Dining out in Kyoto is an experience not to be missed. The local cuisine is as beautiful as it is delicious. There is a long running history to many of the dishes, and the recipes are expertly prepared by world class chefs at many of the restaurants. You can enjoy everything from a tea ceremony to multi-course meals, referred to as kyo kaiseki.

While Shiretoko National Park is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. There are a couple of restaurants on the edge of the park, but if you're planning to do any hiking, it's best to bring your own food.

Is Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park Better for Nightlife?

Kyoto is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kyoto. While it isn't known for its wild nightlife scene, there is a relaxed and active energy in the evenings here. You can visit the beautiful Arashiyama Kimono Forest or explore some of the riverfront areas such as Kamo Riverside.

Shiretoko National Park doesn't offer many options. Peaceful evenings and relaxing in nature are the best way to pass the time here, not socializing in a bar.

Is Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park Better for its Old Town?

Kyoto is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Shiretoko National Park does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Kyoto is revered around the world. This is among the most historic cities in Japan and there are many traditional buildings and temples. Higashiyama is filled with interesting districts and it has many UNESCO World Heritage temples.

Shiretoko National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park Better for Hiking?

Shiretoko National Park is renowned for its hiking experiences. However, Kyoto is not a hiking destination.

Around Shiretoko National Park visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The park is pristine with striking and varied landscapes as well as diverse wildlife. Hiking is the best way to experience the area, and the scenic views, and world class hiking trails are among the best.

Kyoto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park?

Kyoto is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Kyoto. There's a mix of modern shopping venues and traditional boutiques. Shijo Street is a popular shopping area, as is the area around JR Kyoto Station.

Shiretoko National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park More Beautiful?

Kyoto is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Shiretoko National Park is not as famous, but is still a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Kyoto as well. It's one of the most historical cities in Japan and it has many beautiful Buddhist temples, gardens, and imperial palaces. It's particularly striking during the cherry blossom season.

Shiretoko National Park is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The park is among the most beautiful in Japan. It has a scenic natural setting that is particularly nice during the winter season.

Is Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park Better for Families?

Kyoto is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Shiretoko National Park is not as famous, but is still a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Kyoto is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring Nijo Castle as much as adults. If the weather isn't great, you can head to the Kyoto International Manga Museum which is a bit like a library and is perfect for Manga fans. There are also markets to explore such as the Nishiki Markets, which are lined with shops and restaurants.

Shiretoko National Park is a family-friendly city. Kids who enjoy an outdoor adventure will appreciate a visit to this park. There are wildlife viewing opportunities as well as mult-day hiking trails. Some parts of the park are challenging to access, so younger kids may be limited in what they can do.

Is Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park Better for Couples?

Kyoto is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Shiretoko National Park is not as famous, but is still a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine to visit for romance.

Kyoto has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This is one of the most historic cities in Japan, and it has many romantic neighborhoods where you can enjoy the atmosphere. Visit Sanneizaka Slope for its traditional shops and restaurants or take a ride on the Sagano Romantic Train. Other romantic highlights include Kimono Forest, which is an art exhibit, and Suzumushidera Temple.

Shiretoko National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy nature, wildlife, and pristine hiking trails will enjoy a visit to this remote and natural park. There are many great hikes as well as scenic spots that you can explore.

Is Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kyoto and Shiretoko National Park are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kyoto is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a popular destination in Japan and there are plenty of hostels and free activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Shiretoko National Park. Multi-day treks are a great way to explore the park and see the parts that are less popular with tourists.

Is Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park Better for Students?

Kyoto is a well-known place for students. However, Shiretoko National Park is not popular with students.

Kyoto is a great city to visit as a student. It's a great student city with world class universities and a large student population.

Shiretoko National Park is not popular with students.

Is Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kyoto is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Kyoto. The city has an extensive system of trains, subways, and buses that make it easy to get around.

Public transit is quite limited in Shiretoko National Park. While there are buses that travel from Utoro to the east coast, they are infrequent. Your best options for visiting the park are having a private vehicle or joining a tour. Many parts of the park are only accessible by hiking or by boat.

Is Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park a more walkable city?

Kyoto is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Shiretoko National Park is not as famous, but is still a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Kyoto on foot. It's one of the most walkable cities in Japan and there are many sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly areas.

Shiretoko National Park is somewhat walkable. It's a vast park with many hiking and cycling trails.

For even more information, also check out Is Kyoto Worth Visiting? and Is Shiretoko National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Shiretoko National Park or Kyoto?

How long in Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Shiretoko National Park due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Kyoto, and 3-4 days is enough time in Shiretoko National Park.

Families should spend more time in Kyoto than Shiretoko National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kyoto, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Kyoto than Shiretoko National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kyoto that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kyoto than Shiretoko National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kyoto.

One day in Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park?

You'll find nightlife and food around the cultural city of Kyoto. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Shiretoko National Park, many people enjoy the that this national park destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This remote,natural,scenic,pristine offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park?

Kyoto is a popular choice for travelers. A weekend here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shiretoko National Park. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park?

Kyoto is a great place to explore. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Shiretoko National Park is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Shiretoko National Park. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kyoto. Most people head to the area for the museums. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find around the national park destination of Shiretoko National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Kyoto 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 Kyoto or Shiretoko National Park in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and Shiretoko National Park. Most visitors come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Shiretoko National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kyoto is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kyoto in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Kyoto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Shiretoko National Park during summer. Kyoto gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Shiretoko National Park. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Shiretoko National Park. The autumn months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Shiretoko National Park this time of year.

In October, Kyoto is generally much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 18°C (64°F), and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Kyoto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shiretoko National Park. Kyoto gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 158 hours of full sun.

Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kyoto usually gets more rain in October than Shiretoko National Park. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Shiretoko National Park and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Shiretoko National Park. It's quite cold in Kyoto in the winter. Kyoto is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around -6°C (20°F).

Kyoto usually receives more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park during winter. Kyoto gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 108 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kyoto usually receives less rain than Shiretoko National Park. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Shiretoko National Park and Kyoto during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kyoto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Shiretoko National Park in the spring for the natural beauty.

Shiretoko National Park can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Kyoto is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kyoto in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In the spring, Kyoto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Shiretoko National Park. Kyoto gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. Kyoto usually gets more rain in April than Shiretoko National Park. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 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 Kyoto