Which place is cheaper, Nikko or Wuyuan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wuyuan or Nikko?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Wuyuan and Nikko can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Wuyuan or Nikko?
Wuyuan
Wuyuan, China is a small city in the Jiangxi Province in the south central area of the country. The city acts as a transport hub for the province, with many main bus routes running through it. Wuyuan also acts as the main thoroughfare when traveling to local remote villages in the area. It is best to know some Mandarin as this region does not see many non-Mandarin speaking tourists, which also means you should expect some very friendly attention!
Nikko
Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWuyuan $57Nikko $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Wuyuan is $57, while the average daily cost in Nikko is $82. 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 Wuyuan and Nikko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWuyuan $26Nikko $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWuyuan $52Nikko $92
Compare Hotels in Wuyuan and Nikko
Looking for a hotel in Wuyuan or Nikko? 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: Nikko Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wuyuan $13Nikko -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nikko
Also for Nikko, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Haneda Airport to/from Nikko City Private Transfer: $613
- Narita Airport to/from Nikko City Private Transfer: $613
- Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Narita Airport Private Departure Transfer: $263
- Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Haneda Airport Departure Private Transfer: $263
Is it cheaper to fly into Wuyuan or Nikko?
Prices for flights to both Nikko and Wuyuan 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 dayWuyuan $20Nikko $31
Typical Food Prices in Wuyuan
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Wuyuan:
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Gummy Candy$0.28
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Cookies$0.69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Wuyuan $19Nikko $21
Tours and Activities in Nikko
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nikko.
- Full Day Private Nikko Tour from Tokyo with English Driver: $474
- Full-Day Private Nikko Tour with English Speaking Driver: $600
- Nikko Custom Full Day Tour: $228
- Nikko Custom Half Day Tour: $144
- Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $137
- Nikko Private Full-Day Sightseeing Day Tour: $474
- Nikko Toshogu, Lake Chuzenjiko & Kegon Waterfall 1 Day Tour: $483
- Nikko self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $4.28
- Visit the Unexplored Regions of Lake Chuzenji-Scenic Trekking and Rafting Tour: $76
- World Heritage Nikko Walking Tour - Toshogu Shrine, Kanmangafuchi: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWuyuan $14Nikko $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wuyuan and Nikko, we can see that Nikko is more expensive. And not only is Wuyuan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wuyuan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wuyuan 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 Nikko would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nikko than you might in Wuyuan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wuyuan Expensive? and Is Nikko Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Wuyuan or Nikko?
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 Wuyuan or Nikko in the Summer?
Both Nikko and Wuyuan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Nikko in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Wuyuan is generally a little warmer than Nikko. Daily temperatures in Wuyuan average around 30°C (85°F), and Nikko fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nikko. It's quite rainy in Wuyuan. In July, Wuyuan usually receives more rain than Nikko. Wuyuan gets 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyWuyuan 30°C (85°F)Nikko 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Wuyuan or Nikko in the Autumn?
Both Nikko and Wuyuan during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nikko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Wuyuan is a little warmer than Nikko in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wuyuan averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Nikko fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Nikko gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wuyuan usually gets less rain in October than Nikko. Wuyuan gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberWuyuan 20°C (68°F)Nikko 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Wuyuan or Nikko in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wuyuan and Nikko. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Nikko because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Nikko can be very cold. In the winter, Wuyuan is much warmer than Nikko. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wuyuan in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Nikko averages at about 3°C (37°F).
In January, Wuyuan usually receives more rain than Nikko. Wuyuan gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryWuyuan 6°C (43°F)Nikko 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Wuyuan or Nikko in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Wuyuan as well as Nikko. Additionally, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nikko this time of year.
In April, Wuyuan is generally a little warmer than Nikko. Daily temperatures in Wuyuan average around 18°C (64°F), and Nikko fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite rainy in Nikko. Wuyuan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Wuyuan usually gets more rain in April than Nikko. Wuyuan gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 108 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilWuyuan 18°C (64°F)Nikko 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Nikko and Wuyuan
| Wuyuan | Nikko | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 123 mm (4.9 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (64°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (78°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (47°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 32 mm (1.2 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.