Which city is cheaper, Koyasan or Tokyo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Tokyo vs. Koyasan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Tokyo or Koyasan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tokyo or Koyasan? 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 Koyasan?
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.
Koyasan
Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTokyo $183Koyasan $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $183, while the average daily cost in Koyasan is $88. 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 Koyasan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTokyo $86Koyasan $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTokyo $172Koyasan $88
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Koyasan
Looking for a hotel in Tokyo or Koyasan? 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: Tokyo Hotel Prices and Koyasan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tokyo $22Koyasan $37
Typical Local Transportation prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Tokyo:
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Metro from Airport$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Private Transfer from Tokyo City to Haneda Airport HND by Luxury Van: $187
- Departure Private Transfer from Tokyo City to Haneda Airport HND by Minivan: $108
- Departure Private Transfer from Tokyo City to Narita Airport NRT by Luxury Van: $302
- Departure Private Transfer from Tokyo City to Narita Airport NRT by Minivan: $284
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Tokyo City to Tokyo Station: $25
- Japan Private Airport Transfer from Tokyo City to Haneda Airport (HND): $97
- Japan Private Airport Transfer from Tokyo City to Narita Airport(NRT): $182
- Private Airport Transfer: from Tokyo to Narita International Airport (NRT): $121
- Private Airport Transfer: from Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND): $78
- Private Departure Transfer : Central Tokyo City to Haneda Airport: $144
- Private Departure Transfer : Central Tokyo City to Narita International Airport: $267
- Private Transfer from Tokyo City Center to Tokyo Disneyland: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Koyasan?
Prices for flights to both Koyasan 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
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Food Meals for one dayTokyo $43Koyasan $22
Typical Food prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.89
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.89
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Meal at Airport$7.68
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tokyo $80Koyasan $15
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Samurai Spots in Tokyo Virtual Tour: $8.26
- Tokyo Tower: Admission Ticket: $11
- 1-Hour River Cruise Asakusa to Odaiba: $11
- Japanese Snacks You Should Try: Online Experience by Local Guide: $12
- [Virtual Tour] Japan: the bathing and Sento experience: $12
- [Virtual Tour] Ghibli Spots in Japan: $12
- [Virtual Tour] Tokyo Highlights: $12
- Tokyo Online: Virtual Experience in Shibuya and Shinjuku with a Local Expert: $14
- Virtual Tour to Discover Mount Fuji: $14
- Online Japanese Archery Experience: $15
- Tokyo Online Tour All in One, With 10+ Top Sights!: $15
- Thermae-Yu Hotspring in Shinjuku Entrance Ticket: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTokyo $37Koyasan $5.53
Typical Alcohol prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$4.42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Koyasan, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Koyasan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koyasan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koyasan 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 Koyasan.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo or Koyasan?
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 Tokyo or Koyasan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Koyasan. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Koyasan. Temperatures in Tokyo average around 26°C (78°F), and Koyasan stays around 27°C (81°F).
In the summer, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Koyasan. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tokyo usually gets less rain in July than Koyasan. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTokyo 26°C (78°F)Koyasan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Koyasan in the Autumn?
Both Koyasan and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Tokyo is around the same temperature as Koyasan in the autumn. The temperature in Tokyo is usually 18°C (64°F) in October, and Koyasan stays around 19°C (65°F).
Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Koyasan during autumn. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In October, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTokyo 18°C (64°F)Koyasan 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Koyasan in the Winter?
Both Koyasan and Tokyo during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.
In the winter, Tokyo is around the same temperature as Koyasan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tokyo in January are around 5°C (42°F), and Koyasan is about 6°C (42°F).
In the winter, Tokyo often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 140 hours of full sun.
Tokyo usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Koyasan. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTokyo 5°C (42°F)Koyasan 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Koyasan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Koyasan. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Koyasan. Temperatures in Tokyo average around 14°C (58°F), and Koyasan stays around 15°C (59°F).
Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Koyasan during spring. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTokyo 14°C (58°F)Koyasan 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Koyasan and Tokyo
| Tokyo | Koyasan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 208 mm (8.2 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
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