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

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Should you visit Tokyo or Okinawa?

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

Should I visit Tokyo or Okinawa? 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 Okinawa?

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.

Okinawa

Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture of Japan and includes hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands. The chain of islands is off the southern mainland portion of the country and is made up of 49 inhabited islands and over one hundred uninhabited islands. Naha is Okinawa's capital, which is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island.

Which city is cheaper, Okinawa or Tokyo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $183, while the average daily cost in Okinawa is $117. 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 Okinawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tokyo $86
    Okinawa $81
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tokyo $172
    Okinawa $162
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Okinawa

Looking for a hotel in Tokyo or Okinawa? 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 Okinawa


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tokyo $22
    Okinawa $11
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:

  • Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Tokyo City to Tokyo Station: $25
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Central Tokyo Hotel to Haneda Airport: $51
  • Tokyo Disneyland Shared Transfer : from Tokyo to Disneyland (One Way): $51
  • Tokyo DisneySea Shared Transfer : from Tokyo to DisneySea (One Way): $51
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND): $78
  • Tokyo hotel/address to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Transfer: $80
  • Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Car Transfer: $80
  • Japan Private Airport Transfer from Tokyo City to Haneda Airport (HND): $97
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Central Tokyo Hotel to Narita International Airport: $101
  • Departure Private Transfer from Tokyo City to Haneda Airport HND by Minivan: $108
  • Haneda Airport Private Transfer: $114
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo City Center to Tokyo Disneyland: $119

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Okinawa

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Okinawa:

  • Miyakojima: Private Transfer To/From Miyako Airport: $106

Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Okinawa?

Prices for flights to both Okinawa 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 $43
    Okinawa $26
Typical Food prices in Tokyo

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


  • Late Night Noodles
    $5.89
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack
    $5.89
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tokyo $80
    Okinawa $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

Tours and Activities in Okinawa

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Okinawa are as follows:

  • From Naha: Kerama Islands Half-Day Whale Watching Tour: $44
  • Iriomote Island: 3-Hour Guided Kayaking and Caving Tour: $105
  • Ishigaki Island: 2-Hour Miyara River Kayaking Tour: $69
  • Miyako Island: Kayaking and Caving Experience: $118
  • Miyako Island: Kayaking and Snorkeling Experience: $118
  • Nago Pineapple Park Admission Ticket: $8.75
  • Naha: North Okinawa Sightseeing Tour & Churaumi Aquarium: $53
  • Naha: Shurijo Castle Tour with Audio Guide and Lunch: $44
  • Okinawa Island Custom Full Day Tour: $260
  • Okinawa Island Custom Half Day Tour: $149
  • Okinawa World Admission Ticket: $18
  • Churaumi Aquarium Admission Ticket: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tokyo $37
    Okinawa $16
Typical Alcohol prices in Tokyo

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


  • Sake
    $4.42

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Tokyo or Okinawa?

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 Okinawa in the Summer?

Both Okinawa and Tokyo during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Tokyo is cooler than Okinawa in the summer. The temperature in Tokyo is usually 26°C (78°F) in July, and Okinawa stays around 29°C (84°F).

In Okinawa, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Tokyo often gets less sunshine than Okinawa. Tokyo gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Okinawa receives 258 hours of full sun.

Okinawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets less rain in July than Okinawa. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tokyo 26°C (78°F) 
    Okinawa 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Tokyo or Okinawa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Okinawa. 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.

In the autumn, Tokyo is cooler than Okinawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tokyo in October are around 18°C (64°F), and Okinawa is about 25°C (77°F).

Tokyo usually receives less sunshine than Okinawa during autumn. Tokyo gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Okinawa receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Okinawa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Okinawa. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tokyo 18°C (64°F) 
    Okinawa 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Tokyo or Okinawa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Okinawa. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.

In January, Tokyo is generally much colder than Okinawa. Temperatures in Tokyo average around 5°C (42°F), and Okinawa stays around 16°C (61°F).

In the winter, Tokyo often gets more sunshine than Okinawa. Tokyo gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Okinawa receives 96 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Okinawa. Tokyo usually gets less rain in January than Okinawa. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tokyo 5°C (42°F) 
    Okinawa 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Tokyo or Okinawa in the Spring?

Both Okinawa and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Tokyo is much colder than Okinawa in the spring. The temperature in Tokyo is usually 14°C (58°F) in April, and Okinawa stays around 22°C (71°F).

Tokyo usually receives more sunshine than Okinawa during spring. Tokyo gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Okinawa receives 149 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Okinawa. It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In April, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Okinawa. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tokyo 14°C (58°F) 
    Okinawa 22°C (71°F)

Typical Weather for Okinawa and Tokyo

Tokyo Okinawa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Mar 9°C (47°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 18°C (65°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 22°C (71°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 186 mm (7.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Jul 26°C (78°F) 127 mm (5 in) 29°C (84°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 266 mm (10.5 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 180 mm (7.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 161 mm (6.3 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 165 mm (6.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 8°C (46°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 18°C (65°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)


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Tokyo vs. Okinawa Travel Comparison

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