Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Kyoto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kyoto or Yakushima?
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 Yakushima 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: Kyoto or Yakushima?
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
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 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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKyoto $96Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Kyoto is $96, 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 Kyoto and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKyoto $63Yakushima $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKyoto $126Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Kyoto and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Kyoto 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kyoto $7.55Yakushima $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Kyoto hotels to Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $69
- Shared Departure Transfer: Kyoto City to Osaka Itami Airport: $69
- Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $80
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $110
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $202
- Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $219
- Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $228
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $230
- Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $261
Is it cheaper to fly into Kyoto or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Kyoto 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 dayKyoto $24Yakushima $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $41
- Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $42
- Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $47
- Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
- Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $61
- Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $61
- Japanese Cooking Class: $62
- Sushi - Authentic Japanese Cooking Class - the best souvenir from Kyoto!: $63
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $64
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class {PM tour}: $64
- Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kyoto $13Yakushima $20
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kyoto Gion Night Walking Tour (Opening Special Offer Now!!): $2.35
- Arashiyama: Self-Guided Audio Tour through History & Nature: $6.53
- Audio Guide Tour through Gion: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji: $6.53
- Audio Guide Tour: Unveiling Kyoto Station Surroundings: $6.53
- Audio Guide Tour of Kinkaku-ji & Ryōan-ji Areas ~ Zen Echoe: $6.53
- Audio guide tour of the Kyoto Imperial Palace & surroundings: $6.53
- Audio Guide Tour Sanjusangen-do & Chishaku-in: $6.53
- Nijo Castle & Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: Auidio Guide Tour: $6.53
- Kyoto Tower Admission Ticket: $7.10
- Ninnaji Temple Entry Ticket: $7.18
- Family Mitsui House Museum with green tea admission ticket: $7.34
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: Explore the 1,000 Torii Gates on an audio walking tour: $7.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKyoto $12Yakushima $6.38
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $19
- Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area: $40
- Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $82
- Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $83
- Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $100
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $159
- Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $187
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $196
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $200
- Private Guided Local Bar Crawl Experience in Kyoto: $221
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $236
- Kyoto Nightlife: Local Bar Crawl Experience: $433
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kyoto and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Kyoto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kyoto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kyoto 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 Kyoto.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kyoto Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kyoto 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 Kyoto or Yakushima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and Yakushima. Many travelers come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Kyoto is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the summer. The daily temperature in Kyoto 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. Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Yakushima. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKyoto 27°C (81°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Yakushima. Many visitors come to Kyoto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Kyoto is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kyoto in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Yakushima averages at about 22°C (71°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kyoto usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKyoto 18°C (64°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Yakushima in the Winter?
Both Yakushima and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kyoto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kyoto can be very cold during winter. In January, Kyoto is generally much colder than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 5°C (40°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In January, Kyoto usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKyoto 5°C (40°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Kyoto during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Kyoto is cooler than Yakushima in the spring. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 14°C (58°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 Kyoto. Kyoto usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKyoto 14°C (58°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Kyoto
| Kyoto | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.