Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Osaka?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Osaka or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka or Yakushima, 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 Yakushima?
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.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOsaka $88Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $88, 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 Osaka and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOsaka $45Yakushima $59
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOsaka $90Yakushima $118
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Osaka 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: Osaka Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Osaka $14Yakushima $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
-
Subway$7.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Osaka Itami Airport to/from Osaka City: Shared Transfer: $23
- Shared Departure Transfer: Osaka City to Osaka Itami Airport: $26
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Osaka City: $26
- Private Transfer from Osaka Airport (ITM) to Maizuru Cruise Port: $48
- Osaka Airport ITM to Arima Onsen Resorts Arrival Transfer: $55
- Kuchu Teien Observatory Ticket with Private Transfer: $63
- Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka city hotels: $66
- Private Transfer from Osaka city hotels to Osaka Cruise Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Osaka Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $66
- Osaka Int Airport (ITM) to Osaka city - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $69
- Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Osaka or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima 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 dayOsaka $25Yakushima $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Takoyaki DIY Cooking in the Heart of Osaka: $23
- Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $26
- 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $37
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $47
- Nosatlgic Namba Osaka Street Food Tour.: $48
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $50
- Home Cooking Class: $51
- Homemade Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka: $51
- Enjoy artistic TEMPURA Cooking Class: $60
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $63
- Three Types of RAMEN Cooking Class: $65
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Osaka $20Yakushima $20
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)$30
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Osaka Castle: Museum and Tower Entry Ticket: $3.92
- Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.58
- Table Tennis Experience with Local Players: $4.58
- Ryurei Teicha: Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony) Experience in Osaka: $5.23
- Osaka Sakishima Observatory Advance Ticket: $5.88
- Tsutenkaku Tower Entry Ticket: $6.54
- Tsutenkaku Entry Ticket: $7.68
- Dotonbori District Sightseeing Cruise & Beer Discount: $7.84
- Osaka Dotonbori Wonder Cruise: $8.02
- Umeda Sky Building E-Ticket: $9.81
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory E-Ticket: $12
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayOsaka $12Yakushima $6.38
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Namba Hidden Places Bar Crawl: $16
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Born & Raised Local Guide: $31
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $33
- Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $39
- Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $40
- 3 Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Namba : $52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Osaka and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Osaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Osaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Osaka 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 Osaka.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Osaka Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Osaka or Yakushima?
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 Yakushima in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Osaka as well as Yakushima. Many visitors come to Osaka in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Osaka is generally around the same temperature as Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 28°C (82°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Osaka receives a lot of rain in the summer. Osaka usually gets less rain in July than Yakushima. Osaka gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyOsaka 28°C (82°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Yakushima in the Autumn?
Both Yakushima and Osaka are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Osaka is cooler than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Osaka averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Osaka. In October, Osaka usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Osaka gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOsaka 19°C (66°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Yakushima in the Winter?
Both Yakushima and Osaka during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Osaka because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Osaka is much colder than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Osaka in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Osaka usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Osaka gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOsaka 6°C (42°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Yakushima in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Osaka and Yakushima. The activities around the city are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.
In April, Osaka is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 15°C (59°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the spring. Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Osaka usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Osaka gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilOsaka 15°C (59°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Osaka
| Osaka | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (47°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.