A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Tokyo vs. Dewa Sanzan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tokyo or Dewa Sanzan?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Dewa Sanzan? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Tokyo or Dewa Sanzan?

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.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan, Japan is a picturesque city in the Tohoku region which consists solely of the three sacred mountains: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. The mountains are considered holy to the Japanese Shinto religion and are a popular pilgrimage site, especially since many ascetic pilgrims live in the mountains and are occasionally spotted throughout the various hiking trails.

Which city is cheaper, Dewa Sanzan or Tokyo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $147, while the average daily cost in Dewa Sanzan is $59. 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 Tokyo and Dewa Sanzan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tokyo $69
    Dewa Sanzan $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tokyo $138
    Dewa Sanzan $50
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Dewa Sanzan

Looking for a hotel in Tokyo or Dewa Sanzan? 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 Tokyo


Hotels in Dewa Sanzan


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Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Tokyo Hotel Prices and Dewa Sanzan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tokyo $18
    Dewa Sanzan $20
Typical Local Transportation prices in Tokyo

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


  • Metro from Airport
    $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo

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

  • 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
  • Private Transfers from Tokyo City, Yokohama or Port: $211
  • Private Transfer to/from Narita Itl. Airport (NRT): $187
  • Haneda Airport Private Transfer: $114
  • Tokyo to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) - Departure Private Car Transfer: $141
  • Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Car Transfer: $80
  • Tokyo hotel/address to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Transfer: $80
  • Tokyo Private Transfer from Tokyo central to Narita Airport (NRT): $261
  • Tokyo Private Transfer from Tokyo central to Haneda Airport (HND): $194
  • Tokyo Disneyland Shared Transfer : from Tokyo to Disneyland (One Way): $51

Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Dewa Sanzan?

Prices for flights to both Dewa Sanzan 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tokyo $35
    Dewa Sanzan $22
Typical Food prices in Tokyo

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:


  • Late Night Noodles
    $5.93
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack
    $5.93
  • Meal at Airport
    $7.73

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo

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

  • 1-Hour Tsukiji Fish Market Food Tour with Local Guide: $26
  • Unique Private Cooking Class with a Tokyo Local Emi: $78
  • Local Food Tour on Sunamachi Ginza Street: $83
  • West-Side Walking & Street Food Tour: $95
  • Private Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class from Central Tokyo: $108
  • Private Japanese Cooking Class with a Local Chef: $120
  • Tokyo Food Tour: 3-Hour Culinary Adventure: $129
  • Gyoza Cooking Classes in Tokyo: $135
  • Private Dining: Wagyu and sake pairing dinner in Shinjuku: $136
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Japanese Cooking Class in Asakusa: $142
  • Tokyo Private Food Tour: From Ramen Bars, Vending Machines To Cat Cafes: $174
  • 3-Hour Food Tour of Shinbashi at Night: $182

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tokyo $65
    Dewa Sanzan $8.38

Tours and Activities in Tokyo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.

  • Akihabara: Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour: $67
  • Ancient Meets Ultra-Modern - Tokyo History Experience: $83
  • Christmas In Private Experience With A City Host: $83
  • Customize your 8-hours private tour with a local guide Tokyo: $81
  • Discover Japan Tour: 15-day Small Group: $8,972
  • Eat Like A Local - Sushi Experience: $146
  • Explore Japan Tour: 20-day Small Group: $12,049
  • Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi Tour: $993
  • Geisha Encounter: Cultural Experience at Chaya in Tokyo: $78
  • Highlights of Japan Tour: 10-day Small Group: $5,639
  • Intro to Japan Tour: 8-day Small Group: $4,357
  • Introduction To Tokyo & Highlights Private Walking Tour With A Local: $83

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tokyo $30
    Dewa Sanzan $6.60
Typical Alcohol prices in Tokyo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:


  • Sake
    $4.44


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


When is the best time to visit Tokyo or Dewa Sanzan?

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 Tokyo or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Dewa Sanzan. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.

In July, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Dewa Sanzan. Temperatures in Tokyo average around 26°C (78°F), and Dewa Sanzan stays around 23°C (74°F).

Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during summer. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tokyo 26°C (78°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 23°C (74°F)

Should I visit Tokyo or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Dewa Sanzan. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Tokyo is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the autumn. The temperature in Tokyo is usually 18°C (64°F) in October, and Dewa Sanzan stays around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tokyo usually gets more rain in October than Dewa Sanzan. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tokyo 18°C (64°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Tokyo or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dewa Sanzan can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Tokyo is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tokyo in January are around 5°C (42°F), and Dewa Sanzan is about -1°C (30°F).

Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during winter. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. In January, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tokyo 5°C (42°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan -1°C (30°F)

Should I visit Tokyo or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Tokyo during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Tokyo is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Temperatures in Tokyo average around 14°C (58°F), and Dewa Sanzan stays around 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in April than Dewa Sanzan. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tokyo 14°C (58°F) 
    Dewa Sanzan 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Tokyo

Tokyo Dewa Sanzan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) -1°C (30°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) -1°C (30°F) 151 mm (6 in)
Mar 9°C (47°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 2°C (35°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 9°C (47°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 186 mm (7.3 in) 20°C (67°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jul 26°C (78°F) 127 mm (5 in) 23°C (74°F) 191 mm (7.5 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 174 mm (6.8 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 180 mm (7.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 165 mm (6.5 in) 13°C (56°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
Dec 8°C (46°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 2°C (35°F) 231 mm (9.1 in)


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Tokyo vs. Dewa Sanzan Travel Comparison

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