Should you visit Nara or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?
Should I visit Nara or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park? 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.
Nara
As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Spanning the Japanese prefectures of Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Kanagawa and Tokyo, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a natural area with beautiful scenery as well as a number of popular tourist spots. Some of its highlights include Mount Fuji, Fuji Five Lakes, Hakone, the Izu Peninsula, and the Izu Islands, offering a geographic range of natural hot springs, coastlines, mountainous areas, lakes, and more than 1,000 volcanic islands.
Which city is cheaper, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Nara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Nara is $95, while the average daily cost in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is $97. 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 Nara and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $57. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Nara the cost is $114 on average.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $116 in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Nara $57
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park $58
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Nara
$114
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
$116
Food
Nara food costs typically run travelers around $31 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
On average, meal and food prices in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park cost around $22 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 $8.80.
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.
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Lunch or Dinner with Maiko Experience in Kyoto :
$14
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Instagrammable Cooking Class (Miso-balls):
$23
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Yokohama Lunch, Tea, and Dinner Cruise with Royalwings:
$25
-
Online character lunch box cooking class:
$27
-
Japanese Rolled Sushi cooking in Tokyo:
$27
-
Tokyo West Side Walking and Street Food Tour:
$34
-
Hakodate's Famous Ikameshi Cooking Class:
$36
-
Cooking Japanese rice in traditional oven at Shikano-fune, Kamado:
$38
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Instagrammable Cooking Class (Casual):
$41
-
Okinawa Home Cooking Experience:
$45
-
Moby Dick Dinner Cruise in Naha:
$53
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Special):
$59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
For Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Lunch or Dinner with Maiko Experience in Kyoto :
$14
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Miso-balls):
$23
-
Yokohama Lunch, Tea, and Dinner Cruise with Royalwings:
$25
-
Online character lunch box cooking class:
$27
-
Japanese Rolled Sushi cooking in Tokyo:
$27
-
Tokyo West Side Walking and Street Food Tour:
$34
-
Hakodate's Famous Ikameshi Cooking Class:
$36
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Casual):
$41
-
Okinawa Home Cooking Experience:
$45
-
Moby Dick Dinner Cruise in Naha:
$53
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Special):
$59
-
Morning Wagyu Kaiseki Cooking Course:
$60
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Nara is $6.81 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.
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park'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 $29 per person, per day on transportation in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
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Local Transportation
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
Nara $6.81
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nara:
-
Private Kansai International Airport (KIX) Transfers for Osaka (Same Day Booking):
$338
-
Private Narita International Airport Transfers (NRT) for Tokyo (Same Day Booking):
$323
-
Private Kansai International Airport Transfers (KIX) for Kyoto:
$246
-
Private Airport Transfer between New Chitose Airport (CTS) and Hokkaido Major Cities:
$209
-
Private Haneda International Airport Transfers (HND) for Tokyo (For Urgent Flight):
$203
-
Private New Chitose Airport Transfers (CTS) for Sapporo, Hoshino Resorts, Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, or Surrounding Areas:
$177
-
Private Nagoya Airport (NGO) Transfers for Downtown Nagoya and Surrounding Cities:
$164
-
Private Kansai International Airport Transfers (KIX) for Osaka, Nara, & Kobe:
$154
-
Private Transfers Between Yoyogi National Stadium (Olympic Stadium) and Tokyo City or Airports:
$153
-
Private Transfers Between the New National Stadium (Olympic Stadium) and Tokyo City or Airports:
$152
-
Private Narita International Airport Transfers (NRT) for Tokyo 23 Wards, Hakone, or Karuizawa:
$150
-
Private Kansai Airport (KIX) Transfers for Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, or Nara:
$150
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Also for Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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[5%OFF] Ferry Transfers from Ishigaki Island by Yaeyama Kanko Ferry:
$6.09
-
Nara Kimono and Deer Experience Day Trip from Kyoto (with One Way Transfer):
$10
-
Ferry Roundtrip Transfers from Ishigaki Island by Anei Kanko :
$11
-
Ferry Transfers between Naha and Kume, Tonaki by Kume Shosen :
$11
-
Shared Round-Trip Transfers for Chichibugahama Beach:
$23
-
Private Transfers Between Tokyo International Forum and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Yokohama Port (Osanbashi Terminal) and Tokyo City or Shin Yokohama City:
$32
-
Private City Transfers Between Osaka and Port of Kobe (One Way):
$32
-
Private City Transfers Between Kyoto and Port of Kobe (One Way):
$32
-
Private City Transfers Between Port of Kobe and Kobe/Osaka/Kyoto (One Way):
$32
-
Private City Transfers Between Tokyo and Kamakura/Shin-Yokohama (One Way):
$32
Is it cheaper to fly into Nara or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?
Prices for flights to both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Nara 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
Nara's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $8.75 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.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $13 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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Entertainment
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
Nara $8.75
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park $13
Tours and Activities in Nara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:
-
Art Aquarium Museum Ticket in Tokyo:
$21
-
Beppu Tower Admission Ticket:
$3.65
-
Chiba Mother Farm Ticket Tokyo:
$12
-
Hakodate-Onuma Segway Tours:
$82
-
Hakone Kamakura 3-Day Ticket Pass:
$63
-
Hakone Kowaki-en Yunessun Hot Spring Theme Park One Day Ticket :
$21
-
Hakone Segway Tours:
$82
-
Izu Teddy Bear Museum Admission Ticket:
$13
-
Japanese Culture Experience at Kanda Myoujin Shrine EDOCCO Cha-ya in Tokyo:
$27
-
Kanda Myoujin Rakugo Show Ticket in Tokyo:
$7.29
-
Kanda Myoujin Shrine Experience Ticket in Tokyo:
$45
-
Kouri Ocean Tower Observation Deck Ticket in Okinawa:
$6.99
Tours and Activities in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
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Beppu Tower Admission Ticket:
$3.65
-
Uzu no Michi and Onaruto Bridge Hall Edy Ticket:
$3.75
-
Yunomoto Onsen Experience in Hokkaido :
$4.09
-
[5% OFF] Akame 48 Watefalls / Ninja Training Experience Discount Ticket in Mie:
$4.35
-
Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko Experience:
$4.39
-
Hanshin Tourist Pass (1 Day, Umeda Pick Up):
$4.55
-
Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch Ticket:
$4.55
-
Roman no Mori Kyowakoku Ticket in Chiba:
$4.55
-
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill Ticket:
$4.85
-
Yunokuni no Mori Ticket in Komatsu:
$4.99
-
Hida Kanayama Onsen Yutarikan Hot Spring Experience in Gifu:
$4.99
-
Museum of Aeronautical Science Admission Ticket :
$5.09
Alcohol
The average person spends about $12 on alcoholic beverages in Nara per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $9.26.
Sample the Local Flavors in Nara
Also in Nara, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Hiroshima Sake Brewery Guided Tour in "Saijo", one of the three largest Japanese Sake spot:
$12
Sample the Local Flavors in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park:
-
Hiroshima Sake Brewery Guided Tour in "Saijo", one of the three largest Japanese Sake spot:
$12
When comparing the travel costs between Nara and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, we can see that Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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