Should you visit Nara or Ise?
Should I visit Nara or Ise? 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.
Ise
A coastal city of Japan, Ise is best known for the Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror. The shrine dates back to 4 BC and actually consists of two shrines: the inner shrine called Naiku and the outer shrine called Geku.
Which city is cheaper, Ise or Nara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Nara is $96, while the average daily cost in Ise is $99. 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 Ise in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $58. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Nara the cost is $116 on average.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Ise is $92. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
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.
Ise food costs typically run travelers around $27 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Nara $31
Ise $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.
-
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
-
Cooking Japanese rice in traditional oven at Shikano-fune, Kamado:
$38
-
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 Ise
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ise.
-
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 $6.88 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.
The average price of local transportation around Ise is $48 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 Nara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nara:
-
1 Day Fuji Q Liner Pass with Two Way Transfer from Tokyo:
$76
-
Ferry Roundtrip Transfers from Ishigaki Island by Anei Kanko :
$11
-
Ferry Transfers between Naha and Kume, Tonaki by Kume Shosen :
$11
-
Mount Fuji Climbing Tour with Accommodation & Transfer from Shinjuku/Tokyo/Yokohama/Nishi Funabashi:
$121
-
Nara Kimono and Deer Experience Day Trip from Kyoto (with One Way Transfer):
$10
-
Private Airport Transfer between New Chitose Airport (CTS) and Hokkaido Major Cities:
$209
-
Private Airport Transfer between Tokyo 23 Wards/Tokyo Disneyland and Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) Airport:
$125
-
Private Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) Transfer for Nagoya, Legoland, and Central Japan:
$146
-
Private City Transfers Between Kyoto and Port of Kobe (One Way):
$32
-
Private City Transfers Between Osaka 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ise
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ise:
-
[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 Ise?
Prices for flights to both Ise 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 $8.85 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.
Ise's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $6.50 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 Nara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:
-
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
-
Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch Ticket:
$4.55
-
Roman no Mori Kyowakoku Ticket in Chiba:
$4.55
-
Hanshin Tourist Pass (1 Day, Umeda Pick Up):
$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
Tours and Activities in Ise
Here are a few actual costs in Ise for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
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
-
Roman no Mori Kyowakoku Ticket in Chiba:
$4.55
-
Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch Ticket:
$4.55
-
Hanshin Tourist Pass (1 Day, Umeda Pick Up):
$4.55
-
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill Ticket:
$4.85
-
Hida Kanayama Onsen Yutarikan Hot Spring Experience in Gifu:
$4.99
-
Yunokuni no Mori Ticket in Komatsu:
$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.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Ise may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $5.04 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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 Ise
Also in Ise, 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
When comparing the travel costs between Nara and Ise, we can see that Ise 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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