Should you visit Tokyo or Atami?
Should I visit Tokyo or Atami? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
Atami
Sharing a home with the famous Mount Fuji inside the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Atami is a Japanese city set on the seaside of the Izu Peninsula. With volcanic hills and natural hot springs, visitors are very much drawn to the unique landscape of the place. There are many hot springs resorts that take advantage of the area's natural features, which have been attracting visitors since the 8th century.
Which city is cheaper, Atami or Tokyo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $176, while the average daily cost in Atami is $96. 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 Tokyo and Atami in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $166 in Tokyo For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Travelers usually pay around $96 for a double occupancy room in Atami If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The price of a meal in Tokyo can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $41 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $16 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
The price of a meal in Atami can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $27 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $11 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Tokyo $41
Atami $27
Typical Food prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Lunch or Dinner with Maiko Experience in Kyoto :
$14
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Miso-balls):
$23
-
Yokohama Lunch, Tea, and Dinner Cruise with Royalwings:
$25
-
Japanese Rolled Sushi cooking in Tokyo:
$27
-
Online character lunch box cooking class:
$27
-
Tokyo West Side Walking and Street Food Tour:
$34
-
Hakodate's Famous Ikameshi Cooking Class:
$36
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Casual):
$41
-
West-Side Walking & Street Food Tour:
$45
-
Okinawa Home Cooking Experience:
$45
-
Moby Dick Dinner Cruise in Naha:
$53
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Special):
$59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Atami
For Atami, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Lunch or Dinner with Maiko Experience in Kyoto :
$14
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Miso-balls):
$23
-
Yokohama Lunch, Tea, and Dinner Cruise with Royalwings:
$25
-
Online character lunch box cooking class:
$27
-
Japanese Rolled Sushi cooking in Tokyo:
$27
-
Tokyo West Side Walking and Street Food Tour:
$34
-
Hakodate's Famous Ikameshi Cooking Class:
$36
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Casual):
$41
-
Okinawa Home Cooking Experience:
$45
-
Moby Dick Dinner Cruise in Naha:
$53
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Special):
$59
-
Morning Wagyu Kaiseki Cooking Course:
$60
Local Transportation
Tokyo'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 $22 per person, per day on transportation in Tokyo.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Atami than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $40 on transportation in Atami on average per day.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Tokyo:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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[5%OFF] Ferry Transfers from Ishigaki Island by Yaeyama Kanko Ferry:
$6.09
-
Yokohama Private Arrival Transfer : Tokyo Hotels to Yokohama Port or Hotels:
$230
-
Yokohama Port Shared Transfer : from Yokohama Port to Tokyo Hotels:
$133
-
Yokohama Port Shared Transfer : from Tokyo Hotels to Yokohama Port:
$133
-
Shared Transfer to/from Narita Airport:
$48
-
Shared Transfer to/from Haneda (HND) Airport:
$57
-
Private transfer to/from Yokohama Osanbashi Port:
$261
-
Private Transfer to/from Haneda Airport (HND):
$159
-
Haneda Airport Transfer w/ a Private Van:
$260
-
Haneda Airport Private Transfer:
$123
-
Tokyo to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) - Departure Private Car Transfer:
$141
-
Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Car Transfer:
$80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atami
Also for Atami, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Kansai International Airport (KIX) Transfers for Osaka (Same Day Booking):
$338
-
Private Narita International Airport Transfers (NRT) for Tokyo (Same Day Booking):
$323
-
Private Kansai International Airport Transfers (KIX) for Kyoto:
$246
-
Private Airport Transfer between New Chitose Airport (CTS) and Hokkaido Major Cities:
$209
-
Private Haneda International Airport Transfers (HND) for Tokyo (For Urgent Flight):
$203
-
Private New Chitose Airport Transfers (CTS) for Sapporo, Hoshino Resorts, Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, or Surrounding Areas:
$177
-
Private Nagoya Airport (NGO) Transfers for Downtown Nagoya and Surrounding Cities:
$164
-
Private Kansai International Airport Transfers (KIX) for Osaka, Nara, & Kobe:
$154
-
Private Transfers Between Yoyogi National Stadium (Olympic Stadium) and Tokyo City or Airports:
$153
-
Private Transfers Between the New National Stadium (Olympic Stadium) and Tokyo City or Airports:
$152
-
Private Narita International Airport Transfers (NRT) for Tokyo 23 Wards, Hakone, or Karuizawa:
$150
-
Private Kansai Airport (KIX) Transfers for Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, or Nara:
$150
Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Atami?
Prices for flights to both Atami and Tokyo 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
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Tokyo can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $79 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing expenses in Atami, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $8.57 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
-
Art Aquarium Museum Ticket in Tokyo:
$21
-
Beppu Tower Admission Ticket:
$3.65
-
Chiba Mother Farm Ticket Tokyo:
$12
-
Hakodate-Onuma Segway Tours:
$82
-
Hakone Kamakura 3-Day Ticket Pass:
$63
-
Hakone Kowaki-en Yunessun Hot Spring Theme Park One Day Ticket :
$21
-
Hakone Segway Tours:
$82
-
Izu Teddy Bear Museum Admission Ticket:
$13
-
Japanese Culture Experience at Kanda Myoujin Shrine EDOCCO Cha-ya in Tokyo:
$27
-
Kanda Myoujin Rakugo Show Ticket in Tokyo:
$7.29
-
Kanda Myoujin Shrine Experience Ticket in Tokyo:
$45
-
Kouri Ocean Tower Observation Deck Ticket in Okinawa:
$6.99
Tours and Activities in Atami
For Atami, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Art Aquarium Museum Ticket in Tokyo:
$21
-
Beppu Tower Admission Ticket:
$3.65
-
Chiba Mother Farm Ticket Tokyo:
$12
-
Hakodate-Onuma Segway Tours:
$82
-
Hakone Kamakura 3-Day Ticket Pass:
$63
-
Hakone Kowaki-en Yunessun Hot Spring Theme Park One Day Ticket :
$21
-
Hakone Segway Tours:
$82
-
Izu Teddy Bear Museum Admission Ticket:
$13
-
Japanese Culture Experience at Kanda Myoujin Shrine EDOCCO Cha-ya in Tokyo:
$27
-
Kanda Myoujin Rakugo Show Ticket in Tokyo:
$7.29
-
Kanda Myoujin Shrine Experience Ticket in Tokyo:
$45
-
Kouri Ocean Tower Observation Deck Ticket in Okinawa:
$6.99
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 Tokyo, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $37.
Typically, people visiting Atami spend on average $6.08 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typical Alcohol prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
-
Hiroshima Sake Brewery Guided Tour in "Saijo", one of the three largest Japanese Sake spot:
$12
-
Tokyo Pub Crawl:
$22
-
Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting:
$307
Sample the Local Flavors in Atami
Also in Atami, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Hiroshima Sake Brewery Guided Tour in "Saijo", one of the three largest Japanese Sake spot:
$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Atami, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Atami much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Atami would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atami 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Atami.
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