A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pai vs. Shiretoko National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pai or Shiretoko National Park?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Pai and Shiretoko National Park. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Pai or Shiretoko National Park?

Pai

As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park, Japan is comprises the entire Shiretoko Penninusla in the northeast island of Hokkaido. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be one of the most remote areas in Japan with very few and very small settlements. This makes Shiretoko the perfect place for a fun hiking and camping adventure.

While the park is open year round, the weather in the area tends to greatly affect the enjoyment of your trip due to harsh winters and heavy rain at the end of summer. There is a short period from May to early July that is considered the best time to visit due to slightly less rain and comfortable temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pai and Shiretoko National Park, we can see that Shiretoko National Park is more expensive. And not only is Pai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pai 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 Shiretoko National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shiretoko National Park than you might in Pai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pai Expensive? and Is Shiretoko National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Pai or Shiretoko National Park?

Shiretoko National Park has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Pai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Pai or Shiretoko National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Shiretoko National Park. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Shiretoko National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Pai is generally much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the summer, Pai often gets less sunshine than Shiretoko National Park. Pai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 hours of full sun.

Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets more rain in July than Shiretoko National Park. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pai or Shiretoko National Park in the Autumn?

Both Shiretoko National Park and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Shiretoko National Park because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Pai is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park during autumn. Pai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 158 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives more rain than Shiretoko National Park. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pai or Shiretoko National Park in the Winter?

Both Shiretoko National Park and Pai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Shiretoko National Park in the winter. In the winter, Pai is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about -6°C (20°F).

It's quite sunny in Pai. In the winter, Pai often gets more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park. Pai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 108 hours of full sun.

Pai usually gets less rain in January than Shiretoko National Park. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pai or Shiretoko National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Shiretoko National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Also, many travelers come to Shiretoko National Park for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Shiretoko National Park. Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In Pai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pai usually receives more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park during spring. Pai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Pai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Shiretoko National Park. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Shiretoko National Park and Pai