A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Yaeyama Islands vs. Atami for Beaches, Couples, Families, and Attractions

Should you visit Yaeyama Islands or Atami?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Yaeyama Islands and Atami. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Yaeyama Islands

Yaeyama Islands is a idyllic, tropical, and pristine archipelago. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Atami

Atami is a overlooked, nostalgic, and authentic town. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Yaeyama Islands and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yaeyama Islands or Atami?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Yaeyama Islands. Although Yaeyama Islands and Atami are popular destinations, Yaeyama Islands has more sights and attractions for tourists. Yaeyama Islands is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Atami attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. Yaeyama Islands is more touristy than Atami and is popular for its jungle, tropical setting, and pristine beaches. It is also well known for Nishihama Beach. Atami is famous for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Yaeyama Islands different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atami and Yaeyama Islands. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Yaeyama Islands or Atami?

Atami is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for its museums and history.

Atami is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

While most people don't head to Yaeyama Islands specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The islands are known for their beaches, snorkeling, and jungles, but don't expect much in the form of museums.

Is the Food Better in Yaeyama Islands or Atami? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Yaeyama Islands and Atami.

Yaeyama Islands offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many fruits and vegetables that are local to the region. Tropical fruits are common including pineapples, passionfruit, mango, shikuwasa, watermelon, papaya, and dragon fruit. You can try Yaeyama Soba (noodle soup) or any other local favorite at the restaurants in the area, most of which are usually concentrated around the villages on the island.

Atami has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Atami Better for Nightlife?

Both Yaeyama Islands and Atami are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Yaeyama Islands. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. You can sip a cocktail and enjoy the view from your resort's bar.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Atami. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Atami Better for Resorts?

Yaeyama Islands is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Atami is not a resort destination.

Yaeyama Islands is a world class resort vacation destination. There are luxury international resorts as well as smaller upscale hotels. Many resorts are found on the largest island, Ishigaki.

Atami is not a resort destination.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Atami Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Yaeyama Islands is a very popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Atami is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Yaeyama Islands is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. The islands offer great scuba diving and snorkeling with coral reefs and tropical fish as well as manta rays and pelagic fish.

Atami is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Atami Better for Beaches?

Yaeyama Islands is renowned for the beache. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

Yaeyama Islands is considered to be a world-class beach destination. This tropical paradise has white sand beaches and turquoise water. There are water sports, including snorkeling and diving, and the beaches on each island have their own atmosphere and vibe.

Atami offers a nice beach destination. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Atami Better for Hiking?

Yaeyama Islands is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Yaeyama Islands. The islands offer relatively easy access to jungle hikes, which will quickly make you feel like you've been swept into a hidden paradise. There are waterfalls, wildlife, butterflies, and scenic spots to explore.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Yaeyama Islands or Atami?

Atami is a good destination for shopping. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Atami is a great destination for shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Yaeyama Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Atami Better for Families?

Yaeyama Islands is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Yaeyama Islands is very family-friendly. This island setting has blue waters and water sports that the whole family can enjoy. There are also family-friendly resorts with kids clubs and nearby nature.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Atami Better for Couples?

Yaeyama Islands is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Yaeyama Islands is a great archipelago for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Beautiful blue water and fun water sports make this a wonderful destination for couples. There are nice resorts and fine dining opportunities that make this a great couple's retreat.

Atami is a good archipelago for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atami is a good destination for backpackers. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Yaeyama Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpacking can be challenging as transportation is limited and accommodation can be expensive.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Atami Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atami is a good destination for its public transit. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for times when you don't have a car.

Atami has a few public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Public transit is mostly limited in Yaeyama Islands. There is very little in the form of public transit but you can get from the largest island, Ishigaki Island, to nearby islands by ferry.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Atami a more walkable city?

Atami is a good destination for its walkability. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for its high level of walkability.

Atami is somewhat walkable. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Yaeyama Islands is generally not a very walkable archipelago. Some of the islands are small enough to get around on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Yaeyama Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Yaeyama Islands?

How long in Yaeyama Islands or Atami?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Yaeyama Islands or Atami to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Yaeyama Islands than Atami because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Yaeyama Islands, and 1-2 days is enough time in Atami.

Families should spend more time in Yaeyama Islands than Atami. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Yaeyama Islands, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Yaeyama Islands than Atami. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Yaeyama Islands that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atami than Yaeyama Islands if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Atami.

One day in Yaeyama Islands or Atami?

In Yaeyama Islands, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this idyllic destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the beaches. This archipelago offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The authentic destination of Atami offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Yaeyama Islands or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Yaeyama Islands. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

The town of Atami offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Yaeyama Islands or Atami?

Yaeyama Islands is a fun place to experience. In Yaeyama Islands, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the beaches. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Atami is a great place to explore. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Yaeyama Islands or Atami?

You'll find nightlife and food around the serene destination of Yaeyama Islands. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Atami. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Yaeyama Islands and Atami, we can see that Yaeyama Islands is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yaeyama Islands Expensive? and Is Atami Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Yaeyama Islands or Atami?

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 Yaeyama Islands or Atami in the Summer?

Both Atami and Yaeyama Islands during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Atami because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Yaeyama Islands is a little warmer than Atami. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yaeyama Islands in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Atami averages at about 26°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Yaeyama Islands. In the summer, Yaeyama Islands often gets more sunshine than Atami. Yaeyama Islands gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. Yaeyama Islands usually gets less rain in July than Atami. Yaeyama Islands gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Atami in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yaeyama Islands and Atami. The autumn months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

In October, Yaeyama Islands is generally a little warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Yaeyama Islands average around 26°C (78°F), and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Yaeyama Islands usually receives more sunshine than Atami during autumn. Yaeyama Islands gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Yaeyama Islands usually receives more rain than Atami. Yaeyama Islands gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Atami in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Yaeyama Islands as well as Atami. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Yaeyama Islands this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Yaeyama Islands is much warmer than Atami in the winter. The daily temperature in Yaeyama Islands averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In the winter, Yaeyama Islands often gets less sunshine than Atami. Yaeyama Islands gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun.

Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the winter. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in January than Atami. Yaeyama Islands gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Atami in the Spring?

Both Atami and Yaeyama Islands are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Atami in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Yaeyama Islands is much warmer than Atami. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yaeyama Islands in April average around 23°C (74°F), and Atami averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Yaeyama Islands usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atami during spring. Yaeyama Islands gets 154 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. In April, Yaeyama Islands usually receives less rain than Atami. Yaeyama Islands gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Yaeyama Islands is May to June.

Typical Weather for Atami and Yaeyama Islands