Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Tokyo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Tokyo or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tokyo or Yakushima? 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 Yakushima?
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.
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 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Japan, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan.
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Tokyo Prices
Japan PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTokyo $174Yakushima $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $174, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $130. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tokyo and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTokyo $73Yakushima $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTokyo $146Yakushima $112
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Tokyo or Yakushima? 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 Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tokyo $17Yakushima $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Haneda Airport to Tokyo One Way Transfer: $13
- Tokyo Private Transfer From or To Haneda Airport HND: $29
- Hotel Transfer to/from Disneyland or DisneySea: $42
- Tokyo Private Transfer From or To Haneda Airport (HND): $51
- DECKS Tokyo Beach & Odaiba 1 Way Door to Door Shared Transfer: $51
- Haneda Airport: 1-Way Shared Shuttle Transfer: $54
- Private transfer from Central Tokyo to Disney Resort: $57
- Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea: Private Transfer To/From Tokyo Hotels: $59
- Shared Arrival Transfer : Haneda Airport to Central Tokyo City: $61
- Shared Departure Transfer : Central Tokyo Hotel to Haneda Airport: $61
- Airport Shuttle Arrival Transfer : from Haneda Airport to Tokyo City: $61
- Tokyo City: One-Way Private Transfer to/from Yokohama City: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima 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 $61Yakushima $46
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$4.96
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$4.96
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Meal at Airport$6.47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $19
- Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $22
- Tsukiji Market Culture and Food Tour with 40-Year Resident: $25
- Shinjuku: 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $28
- Shinjuku Chef‐Led Night Food Tour — What Guides Don’t Show: $29
- Shinjuku 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
- Asakusa: Senso-ji Sightseeing & Street Food Tour with Photos: $29
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour: $32
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $32
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $38
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Private Yanaka District Walking & Food Tour: $44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tokyo $65Yakushima $19
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Imperial Palace or Edo Castle Time Trip Learning Walking Tour: $3.16
- Self-Guided Tour of Tokyo's Hidden Alleys: $3.49
- Tsukiji Market Early Morning Tour: $6.33
- Tokyo Walking Tour 2h15 and 19 audio reviews: $6.75
- Cross Roppongi Karaoke Nightclub Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
- Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Admission Ticket + Special Exhibition (when being held): $7.61
- TOKYO Audio Guide Tour in The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace: $7.61
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Tokyo: $8.15
- Tokyo Metro Subway Ticket: $8.85
- Hidden Yanaka & Nezu: Authentic Old Tokyo Escape – Walking Tour: $9.51
- Tokyo / Shibuya / Yokohama Tours! Choose, Explore and Enjoy!: $10
- Shibuya drinking tour: $10
Tours and Activities in Yakushima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yakushima are as follows:
- Kagoshima Bar Hopping Tour in Yakushima: $124
- Kagoshima Sushi Making Experience in Yakushima: $62
- Private Guided Tour: $309
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTokyo $31Yakushima $6.06
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$3.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $35
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Nightlife Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $46
- Tokyo Sake Terroir Journey – Guided by Sake Brewery Professional: $89
- Mt. Fuji & Hakushu Distillery Whisky Museum Bus Tour from Tokyo: $89
- Tokyo Shinjuku Gay Bar Crawl with Drinks: $90
- Shibuya Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local Foods-: $101
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $108
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo: $121
- Sake Brewery and Spiritual Nature Tour in Okutama Tokyo: $130
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $146
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tokyo and Yakushima, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Yakushima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yakushima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yakushima 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 Yakushima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tokyo Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo or Yakushima?
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 Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Tokyo during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 26°C (78°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Yakushima 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 Yakushima. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTokyo 26°C (78°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Yakushima. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.
Tokyo is cooler than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tokyo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Yakushima. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTokyo 18°C (64°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Yakushima. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Tokyo is much colder than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tokyo in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Tokyo usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTokyo 5°C (42°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tokyo in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Tokyo is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 14°C (58°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In April, Tokyo usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTokyo 14°C (58°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Tokyo
| Tokyo | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.