Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Tokyo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTokyo $157Yakushima $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $157, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $116. 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 $76Yakushima $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTokyo $152Yakushima $118
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 $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private One-way Transfer Tokyo To Narita Airport: $11
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Tokyo City to Tokyo Station: $17
- Haneda Airport: 1-Way Shared Shuttle Transfer: $31
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND) to Tokyo Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Cruise Port to Tokyo City Hotels: $38
- Private Transfer from Tokyo city hotels to Tokyo Cruise Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND): $42
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND) to Tokyo Port: $42
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Haneda Airport (HND): $46
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Tokyo - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Car Transfer: $51
- Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Transfer: $51
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 $37Yakushima $28
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$5.22
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.22
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Meal at Airport$6.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Takoyaki cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $23
- Easy Ramen cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $26
- 2 Hours Japanese Style Pub and Food Tour in Ueno: $33
- 【Contemporary Culture】Food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $39
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $40
- Japanese Traditional Cooking Class: $60
- Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $61
- Tokyo Wagyu Culinary Tour Cooking Culture and Tasting: $66
- Asakusa: Sustainable Vegetable Temari Sushi Cooking Class: $72
- Private Food Tour in Downtown Yanesen and Nezu Shrine: $73
- Retro Food Tour in Yanaka: $76
- Sushi roll and side dish cooking experience: $78
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tokyo $68Yakushima $20
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Japan: Zen and Tea Ceremony Audio Guided Tour: $3.26
- Ancient Orient Museum Admission Ticket: $3.92
- Samurai and Bushido Audio Guided Tour: $4.70
- 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour Subway Ticket: $5.22
- Ueno Park Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $6.53
- Harajuku: Audio Guide Tour of Takeshita Street: $6.53
- Akihabara (Tokyo): English Audio Guide Tour: $6.53
- Asakusa（Tokyo）: Smartphone Audio Guide Tour: $6.53
- Audio Guide Tour: Deeper Experience of Shinjuku Sightseeing: $6.53
- Ueno: Self-Guided Tour of Ameyoko and Hidden Gems: $6.53
- Shibuya Sightseeing with an Audio Guide: $6.53
- Tokyo Local Bar Hopping Tour in Shibuya: $6.53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTokyo $33Yakushima $6.38
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$3.91
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: $24
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $52
- TOKYO | Temple, Shrine, Sake Bar Crawling: $63
- barhopping tour&bar crawl in Retro Town Shimokitazawa: $85
- Toshimaya Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $91
- Tokyo | 3 Hours Brewery Tour with Sake Sommelier: $104
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $106
- 【Harajuku】Night Pub Crawl with Local Japanese: $125
- Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $150
- Wooden Barrel Sake Brewery Tour and Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $167
- Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu: $190
- Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $231
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.