Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Nagasaki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nagasaki or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nagasaki or Yakushima? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Nagasaki or Yakushima?
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNagasaki $90Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Nagasaki is $90, 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 Nagasaki and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNagasaki $47Yakushima $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNagasaki $94Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Nagasaki and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Nagasaki 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: Nagasaki Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nagasaki $18Yakushima $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagasaki
Also for Nagasaki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Nagasaki Airport (NGS) to Nagasaki Port: $46
- Private Transfer from Nagasaki Cruise Port to Nagasaki Airport: $51
- Private Transfer - Nagasaki Airport (NGS) to Nagasaki Cruise Port: $51
- Private Transfer from Nagasaki Cruise Port to Nagasaki hotels: $67
- Nagasaki Airport (NGS) to Nagasaki - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
- Nagasaki Airport(NGS) to Nagasaki city - Arrival Private Transfer: $95
- Nagasaki to Nagasaki Airport (NGS) - Departure Private Transfer: $95
- Private Transfer from Sasebo Cruise Port to Fukuoka Airport (FUK): $142
- Private Transfer from Sasebo Cruise Port to Fukuoka City Hotels: $142
- Private Transfer from Uragashira Port to Fukuoka Airport (FUK): $142
- Nagasaki International Airport to Nagasaki City Private Arrival Transfer: $154
- Nagasaki City to Nagasaki International Airport Private Departure Transfer: $154
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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayNagasaki $28Yakushima $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nagasaki
For Nagasaki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset Beach Dinner: $51
- Private Walking Street Food Tour Of Nagasaki: $161
- Nagasaki Night Out Food Tour: $163
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nagasaki $23Yakushima $20
Tours and Activities in Nagasaki
For Nagasaki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Gunkanjima Digital Museum Attraction Ticket: $12
- Nagasaki Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Stunning Nagasaki Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Nagasaki Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $55
- Nagasaki Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $55
- Nagasaki Downtown Private Tour: $72
- Nagasaki Shianbashi Tour: $78
- Taste Local Life: Nagasaki's Historical Street Walking Tour: $79
- Nagasaki Half-Day Sightseeing Tour with 1-day Tram Ticket: $86
- Japan Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch Admission Ticket: $88
- Nagasaki Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $93
- Hasami Ware Study Tour with Special Guide ~ '400 years history' and 'Modern daily use pottery' ~ : $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNagasaki $11Yakushima $6.38
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nagasaki Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Nagasaki 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 Nagasaki or Yakushima in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Nagasaki as well as Yakushima. The summer months attract visitors to Nagasaki because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Nagasaki is generally around the same temperature as Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Nagasaki average around 27°C (81°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Nagasaki receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nagasaki usually gets more rain in July than Yakushima. Nagasaki gets 334 mm (13.1 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 JulyNagasaki 27°C (81°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Nagasaki or Yakushima in the Autumn?
Both Yakushima and Nagasaki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Nagasaki this time of year.
Nagasaki is cooler than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nagasaki averages around 20°C (67°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Nagasaki. In October, Nagasaki usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Nagasaki gets 104 mm (4.1 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 OctoberNagasaki 20°C (67°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Nagasaki or Yakushima in the Winter?
Both Yakushima and Nagasaki during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nagasaki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Nagasaki is much colder than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nagasaki in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nagasaki usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Nagasaki gets 78 mm (3.1 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 JanuaryNagasaki 7°C (44°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Nagasaki or Yakushima in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagasaki and Yakushima. Many visitors come to Nagasaki in the spring for the activities around the city.
In April, Nagasaki is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Nagasaki average around 16°C (60°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nagasaki gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nagasaki usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Nagasaki gets 175 mm (6.9 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 AprilNagasaki 16°C (60°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Nagasaki
| Nagasaki | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 7°C (44°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 334 mm (13.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (48°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.