A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Osaka vs. Nara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Osaka or Nara?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka or Nara, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Osaka or Nara?

Osaka

The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Nara or Osaka?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $80, while the average daily cost in Nara is $82. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Osaka and Nara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Osaka $40
    Nara $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Osaka $80
    Nara $98
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Nara

Looking for a hotel in Osaka or Nara? 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.

Hotels in Osaka


Hotels in Nara


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: Osaka Hotel Prices and Nara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Osaka $14
    Nara $5.82
Typical Local Transportation prices in Osaka

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:


  • Subway
    $9.24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shin Osaka Station to/from Osaka City: Shared Transfer: $23
  • Japan Railway Station Shared Arrival Transfer : Shin Osaka Station to Osaka City: $25
  • Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka to Shin Osaka Station: $25
  • Osaka Itami Airport to/from Osaka City: Shared Transfer: $31
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Osaka City to Osaka Itami Airport: $38
  • Universal Studio Japan Shared Transfer : from USJ to Osaka City (One Way): $51
  • Universal Studios Japan Shared Transfer : from Osaka to USJ (One Way): $51
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $101
  • Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $105
  • Private arrival Transfer from Kansai airport to Osaka city: $105
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Osaka to Kansai International Airport (KIX): $113
  • Departure Private Transfer from Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX by Sedan Car: $119

Is it cheaper to fly into Osaka or Nara?

Prices for flights to both Nara and Osaka 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Osaka $23
    Nara $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Street Food Tour Around Dotonburi Canal: $9.84
  • Takoyaki Cooking Class: $13
  • Deep Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba, Osaka: $30
  • Deep Food Tour ＆ Bar Hopping in Temma, Osaka: $30
  • (Online)Popular Japanese pancake and miso soup cooking: $31
  • 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $36
  • Local Secrets Food Tour in Osaka: $37
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $40
  • Walkabout Food Tour in Osaka: $43
  • Okonomiyaki Cooking, The Heart of Osaka: $57
  • Lunch Box Bento Set Cooking: $74
  • Home Cooking Class: $76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.

  • Cooking Japanese rice in traditional oven at Shikano-fune, Kamado: $38

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Osaka $17
    Nara $7.49
Typical Entertainment prices in Osaka

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Osaka Aquarium (for 2)
    $35

Tours and Activities in Osaka

For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 【Special Sale】Virtual Osaka Dotonbori & Ebisu Bridge Walking Tour: $6.89
  • Osaka Dotonbori Wonder Cruise: $9.84
  • Osaka Bay : Sightseeing Cruise: $14
  • General Admission ticket to ABENO HARUKAS in Osaka: $15
  • Osaka virtual tour: $15
  • Skip the Line: Kids Plaza Osaka Admission Ticket: $17
  • HARUKAS 300 Observatory E-Ticket: $20
  • Livestream Virtual Tour of Osaka Castle Park: $22
  • LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Osaka Admission Tickets: $23
  • Real Kimono experience and Tsumami Kanzashi Workshop: $24
  • Livestream Virtual Tour of Osaka's Minami Area: $28
  • Osaka Bus and Boat Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour with Subway Pass: $30

Tours and Activities in Nara

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:

  • 1-Day Nara and Uji Private Custom Tour from Osaka by Chartered Vehicle: $831
  • All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour!: $30
  • Deer City Nara Walking & Izakaya Hopping Tour: $167
  • Discover Traditional Nara Walking Tour (Full day): $118
  • Discover Traditional Nara Walking Tour (Half day): $91
  • Full-Day Private Guided Tour to Nara Temples: $246
  • Gigantic Todai-ji Temple Early Bird Tour: $96
  • Hand Painted Yuzen Dyeing Experience: $383
  • Heijo Palace Walking Tour (Half Day): $43
  • Heijo Palace and Yamato Koriyama Walking Tour (Full Day): $107
  • Japanese Calligraphy Experience in Nara: $35
  • Nara - Craft Beer and Sake Walking Tour: $98

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Osaka $11
    Nara $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:

  • Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $20
  • Private Tour - Fashionable Pub Crawl at Osaka, Enjoy the Japanese Alcohol!: $98

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Osaka and Nara, we can see that Nara 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.


When is the best time to visit Osaka or Nara?

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 Osaka or Nara in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Osaka as well as Nara.

In July, Osaka is generally around the same temperature as Nara. Temperatures in Osaka average around 28°C (82°F), and Nara stays around 27°C (80°F).

In the summer, Osaka often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nara. Osaka gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nara. Osaka receives a lot of rain in the summer. Osaka usually gets less rain in July than Nara. Osaka gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Osaka 28°C (82°F) 
    Nara 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Osaka or Nara in the Autumn?

Both Nara and Osaka are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

Osaka is around the same temperature as Nara in the autumn. The temperature in Osaka is usually 19°C (66°F) in October, and Nara stays around 17°C (63°F).

Osaka usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nara during autumn. Osaka gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. It's quite rainy in Osaka. In October, Osaka usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nara. Osaka gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Osaka 19°C (66°F) 
    Nara 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Osaka or Nara in the Winter?

Both Nara and Osaka during the winter are popular places to visit.

It's quite cold in Nara in the winter. In the winter, Osaka is a little warmer than Nara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Osaka in January are around 6°C (42°F), and Nara is about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Osaka often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nara. Osaka gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 140 hours of full sun.

Osaka usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Nara. Osaka gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Osaka 6°C (42°F) 
    Nara 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Osaka or Nara in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Osaka and Nara.

In April, Osaka is generally around the same temperature as Nara. Temperatures in Osaka average around 15°C (59°F), and Nara stays around 14°C (57°F).

Osaka usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nara during spring. Osaka gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Nara receives a lot of rain in the spring. Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Osaka usually receives more rain than Nara. Osaka gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Osaka 15°C (59°F) 
    Nara 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Nara and Osaka

Osaka Nara
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 4°C (40°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 6°C (43°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 5°C (40°F) 60 mm (2.3 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 127 mm (5 in)
May 20°C (67°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 19°C (65°F) 128 mm (5.1 in)
Jun 24°C (74°F) 204 mm (8 in) 23°C (73°F) 214 mm (8.4 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 186 mm (7.3 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 24°C (74°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 13°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 8°C (47°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)


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Osaka vs. Nara Travel Comparison

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