Should you visit Nikko or Kobe?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Nikko and Kobe can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Nikko
Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.
Kobe
Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is a port city in Japan also considered to be one of the country's most attractive. Though it was devastated by a historic earthquake in 1995, known locally as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Kobe has fully recovered to its cosmopolitan splendor with plenty for visitors to see and do.
Which city is cheaper, Kobe or Nikko?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Nikko is $92, while the average daily cost in Kobe is $115. 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 Nikko and Kobe in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $104 for a double occupancy room in Nikko If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Kobe, $134 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Kobe, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $67, such as in a hostel.
Food
Nikko food costs typically run travelers around $34 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 Kobe cost around $34 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 $14.
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Food
Meals for one day
Nikko $34
Kobe $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nikko
For Nikko, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Nikko Guided Tour by Chartered Vehicle with Exclusive Lunch and Dinner:
$2,910
Local Transportation
Kobe'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 $15 per person, per day on transportation in Kobe.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe
Also for Kobe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Kansai Airport Grand Limousine 1-Way Transfer:
$443
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Kansai Airport 1-Way Charter Transfer:
$217
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Departure Private Transfers from Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Van:
$185
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Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Van:
$185
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Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Van:
$185
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Arrival Private Transfers from Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Van:
$174
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Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Car:
$150
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Departure Private Transfers from Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Car:
$150
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Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Car:
$142
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Arrival Private Transfers from Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Car:
$142
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Private departure transfer from Kobe City & Arima Onsen to Kansai Airport:
$139
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Itami Airport 1-Way Charter Transfer:
$130
Is it cheaper to fly into Nikko or Kobe?
Prices for flights to both Kobe and Nikko 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
In Nikko, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $24 per person, per day.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Kobe can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $26 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Nikko
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nikko.
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Bask in the beauty of winter Nikko in this unforgettable ice climbing experience:
$166
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Cycling and Fire Ceremony Experience in Oku-Nikko:
$1,551
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Exciting Nikko - One Day Tour from Tokyo:
$347
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Full Day Nikko Private Custom Tour from Tokyo by Chartered Vehicle:
$1,122
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Nikko 1 day private walking tour:
$430
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Nikko Custom Full Day Tour:
$260
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Nikko Custom Half Day Tour:
$149
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Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide:
$129
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Nikko Half-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide:
$103
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Nikko Private Tour by public transportation:
$289
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The Nikko National Park Bike Experience:
$172
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Trekking and Private Onsen Temple Tour in Nikko:
$1,474
Tours and Activities in Kobe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kobe.
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1-Day Kobe Highlights Tour including Sake Tasting:
$161
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1-Day Kobe and Arima Onsen Private Custom Tour from Osaka by Chartered Vehicle:
$831
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4-Hour Multicultural Kobe Walking Tour with Genuine Kobe Beef:
$126
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5 Hours of Hiking in Kobe and Mindful Tea Ceremony Experience in Nature:
$302
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Full-Day Private Guided Tour to Kobe City:
$246
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KOBE Walking Tour [Customize Your Itinerary]:
$429
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Kobe 1-Day Private Walking Highlights Tour:
$369
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Kobe Custom Full Day Tour:
$236
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Kobe Custom Half Day Tour:
$136
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Kobe Full-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide:
$129
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Kobe Half-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide:
$103
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Private And Personalized Experience: See Kobe With A Local:
$83
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Nikko, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $17.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Kobe, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $9.55.
Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kobe:
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Private Tour: Visit Nada Sake Brewery from Kobe:
$566
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nikko and Kobe, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. And not only is Nikko much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nikko would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nikko 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 Kobe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kobe than you might in Nikko.
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