Should you visit Nagasaki or Yakushima?
Should I visit Nagasaki or Yakushima? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Nagasaki
Set in a natural harbor on the northwest coast of Japan, Nagasaki is a Japanese city synonymous with a key moment during WWII after suffering an Allied nuclear attack in 1945. While the event is memorialized at the city's Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park, the city in no way is defined by the event. Today it exists as a culturally and religiously diverse port town with a certain charm amongst the terraces of surrounding hills.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Yakushima or Nagasaki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Nagasaki is $100, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $129. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Nagasaki and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $106 in Nagasaki For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $65. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Yakushima the cost is $130 on average.
Food
The average traveler spends about $31 per day in Nagasaki for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
On average, meal and food prices in Yakushima cost around $31 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $12.
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Food
Meals for one day
Nagasaki $31
Yakushima $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nagasaki
For Nagasaki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Private Walking Street Food Tour Of Nagasaki:
$146
Local Transportation
Nagasaki's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $20 per person, per day on transportation in Nagasaki.
The average price of local transportation around Yakushima is $55 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagasaki
Also for Nagasaki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Nagasaki City to Nagasaki International Airport Private Departure Transfer:
$229
Is it cheaper to fly into Nagasaki or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Nagasaki 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Nagasaki can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $25 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Yakushima's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $23 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Nagasaki
For Nagasaki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Gunkanjima Digital Museum Attraction Ticket:
$15
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Nagasaki Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$20
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Nagasaki Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour:
$30
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Nagasaki Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$36
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Taste Local Life: Nagasaki's Historical Street Walking Tour:
$95
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Nagasaki Full-Day Guided Tour by Public Transportation:
$96
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Nagasaki's Hidden Gems: Private & Personalized Walking Experience:
$103
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Nagasaki Half-Day Sightseeing Tour with 1-day Tram Ticket:
$108
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Nagasaki Half-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide:
$118
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Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide:
$138
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Must-See Nagasaki With A Local: Private & Personalized Walking Experience:
$177
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Nagasaki Custom Full Day Tour:
$236
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Nagasaki spend on average $12 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $7.10 on alcoholic beverages in Yakushima per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagasaki and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Nagasaki much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nagasaki would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki.
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