Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Nara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nara or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nara 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: Nara or Yakushima?
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.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Japan, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNara $86Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Nara is $86, 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 Nara and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNara $52Yakushima $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNara $104Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Nara and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Nara 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: Nara Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nara $5.83Yakushima $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nara:
- Kansai Airport (KIX)：Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Nara or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayNara $28Yakushima $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.
- Eel Fishing and Cooking Experience in Kyoto: $73
- Cooking class, learning how to make authentic sushi: $114
- Full Day Nara E bike Tour and Osaka History Food Tour: $191
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nara $7.81Yakushima $20
Tours and Activities in Nara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:
- Nara Heijyo-Kyo Bike Tour in UNESCO World Heritage Site: $16
- Nara Heijyo-Kyo Bike Tour in UNESCO World Heritage Site: $17
- A completely private tour to meet your favorite tea: $23
- A completely private tour to meet your favorite tea: $23
- Nara Craft Tours - local Craft beers tour experience in Nara City: $27
- Private Bike Tour in Nara with Japanese Guide: $36
- All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!: $43
- Nara Early Bird Tour with English Speaking Guide: $55
- Nara Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $55
- Nara Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $55
- Eigo Tour - Walk in Nara City: $66
- Kyoto Uji Matcha Incense Making Experience (Reservations available for 2 people or more): $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNara $11Yakushima $6.38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nara and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Nara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nara 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 Nara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nara Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Nara 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 Nara or Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Nara are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Nara is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the summer. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Nara. In July, Nara usually receives around the same amount of rain as Yakushima. Nara gets 186 mm (7.3 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 JulyNara 27°C (80°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Nara or Yakushima in the Autumn?
Both Yakushima and Nara during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nara this time of year.
In the autumn, Nara is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nara in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Yakushima averages at about 22°C (71°F).
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. Nara usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Nara gets 110 mm (4.3 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 OctoberNara 17°C (63°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Nara or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nara and Yakushima. Many travelers come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Nara. In January, Nara is generally much colder than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Nara average around 4°C (40°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Nara usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Nara gets 49 mm (1.9 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 JanuaryNara 4°C (40°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Nara or Yakushima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nara as well as Yakushima. Many visitors come to Nara in the spring for the natural beauty.
Nara is cooler than Yakushima in the spring. The daily temperature in Nara averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Nara receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nara usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Nara gets 127 mm (5 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 AprilNara 14°C (57°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Nara
| Nara | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (65°F) | 128 mm (5.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 214 mm (8.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (74°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 41 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.