A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Shiretoko National Park vs. Yakushima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Shiretoko National Park or Yakushima?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Shiretoko National Park 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: Shiretoko National Park or Yakushima?

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.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shiretoko National Park and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. And not only is Shiretoko National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shiretoko National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park.

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

When is the best time to visit Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park or Yakushima in the Summer?

Both Yakushima and Shiretoko National Park are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Shiretoko National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Shiretoko National Park is generally much colder than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Shiretoko National Park average around 18°C (64°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In July, Shiretoko National Park usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Shiretoko National Park gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Yakushima and Shiretoko National Park during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Shiretoko National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Shiretoko National Park is much colder than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Shiretoko National Park averages around 10°C (51°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Shiretoko National Park usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Shiretoko National Park gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shiretoko National Park and Yakushima.

The weather in Shiretoko National Park can be very cold. In the winter, Shiretoko National Park is much colder than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Shiretoko National Park in January average around -6°C (20°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Shiretoko National Park usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Shiretoko National Park gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Shiretoko National Park as well as Yakushima. The natural beauty are the main draw to Shiretoko National Park this time of year.

It's quite cold in Shiretoko National Park in the spring. In April, Shiretoko National Park is generally much colder than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Shiretoko National Park average around 5°C (40°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Shiretoko National Park usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Shiretoko National Park gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Shiretoko National Park