Which city is cheaper, Kyoto or Yaeyama Islands?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Yaeyama Islands vs. Kyoto for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Yaeyama Islands or Kyoto?
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 Kyoto. 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.
Where Should I go: Yaeyama Islands or Kyoto?
Yaeyama Islands
The Yaeyama Islands is a cluster of islands located in the southwestern part of Japan, close to Taiwan. There are nine different islands, varying from small islets to large holiday resort islands. The Yaeyama Islands are one of the most popular destination in Japan due to their beautiful beaches and underwater ruins. Yaeyama is also known for having their own language and writing system. For the most part, everyone on the Islands speak Japanese, but you'll often find the Yaeyama writing on T-shirts in souvenir shops or scattered around Yaeyama.
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYaeyama Islands $88Kyoto $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Yaeyama Islands is $88, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $81. 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 Yaeyama Islands and Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYaeyama Islands $51Kyoto $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYaeyama Islands $102Kyoto $98
Compare Hotels in Yaeyama Islands and Kyoto
Looking for a hotel in Yaeyama Islands or Kyoto? 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: Yaeyama Islands Hotel Prices and Kyoto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yaeyama Islands $18Kyoto $8.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Japan Railway Station Shared Arrival Transfer : Kyoto Station to Kyoto City: $25
- Kansai Airport to/from Osaka/Kyoto/Sakai - Shared Transfer: $83
- Shared Departure Transfer: Kyoto City to Osaka Itami Airport: $101
- Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $101
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $112
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $148
- Departure Private Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX by Minivan: $209
- Osaka Private Transfer from Itami Airport (ITM) to central Osaka: $314
- Osaka ITM Airport to Kyoto Center door to door Private Transfer 6 seats Alphard: $334
- Private Transfer to/from Chubu Centrair Airport: $359
- Private Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $364
- KIX Airport Transfers (to or from KYOTO) by Land Rover Discovery Sport 2018: $376
Is it cheaper to fly into Yaeyama Islands or Kyoto?
Prices for flights to both Kyoto and Yaeyama Islands 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 dayYaeyama Islands $27Kyoto $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Online Cooking Experience ～ Vegan Taco rice!! ～ high protein and low carbohydrate: $35
- Nishiki Market Breakfast Walking Food Tour: $43
- Private Japanese Cooking Lesson and Lunch: $60
- Authentic Seasonal Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with a Charming Local in Kyoto: $62
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $70
- Kyoto Cooking Class: $74
- Sushi or Obanzai Cooking and Matcha with a Kyoto Native in her Home: $74
- Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto: $76
- Private Japanese Cooking Class with a Local in a Beautiful Wooden House in Kyoto: $78
- Ramen Cooking class: $81
- Nishiki Market Food Tour in Kyoto: $83
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yaeyama Islands $8.14Kyoto $15
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: Explore the 1,000 Torii Gates on an audio walking tour: $5.99
- Family Mitsui House Museum with green tea admission ticket: $9.84
- [Virtual Tour] Kyoto Highlights: $12
- Flower hunting in Kyoto with Mori the Doggo (Online experience): $12
- Forest bathe in Kyoto’s Sacred Mountain (Online experience): $12
- Gion Walking Tour by Night with Virtual Option: $13
- Kyoto Virtual Tour: $15
- Mansagama-pottery wheel experience-: $18
- Kyoto Virtual Online Tour: $18
- Kimono and Yukata 2 Hours Experience in Kyoto: $20
- Gion Historical Virtual Walking Tour in Kyoto: $21
- 5-Hour Guided Walking Tour - Walk in Kyoto, Talk in English: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYaeyama Islands $5.93Kyoto $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto Small-Group Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $61
- Sake Brewery Tour: $81
- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour: $93
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $191
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $193
- Fushimi Private One Day tour/ Sake brewery & Geisha lunch: $1,210
When comparing the travel costs between Yaeyama Islands and Kyoto, 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.
When is the best time to visit Yaeyama Islands or Kyoto?
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 Yaeyama Islands or Kyoto in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Yaeyama Islands and Kyoto.
In the summer, Yaeyama Islands is around the same temperature as Kyoto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yaeyama Islands in July are around 29°C (85°F), and Kyoto is about 27°C (81°F).
In Yaeyama Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Yaeyama Islands usually receives more sunshine than Kyoto during summer. Yaeyama Islands gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.
Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Yaeyama Islands usually receives less rain than Kyoto. Yaeyama Islands gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyYaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F)Kyoto 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Kyoto in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Yaeyama Islands as well as Kyoto.
In October, Yaeyama Islands is generally a little warmer than Kyoto. Temperatures in Yaeyama Islands average around 26°C (78°F), and Kyoto stays around 18°C (64°F).
In the autumn, Yaeyama Islands often gets more sunshine than Kyoto. Yaeyama Islands gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 159 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in October than Kyoto. Yaeyama Islands gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberYaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F)Kyoto 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Kyoto in the Winter?
Both Kyoto and Yaeyama Islands are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Kyoto. Yaeyama Islands is much warmer than Kyoto in the winter. The temperature in Yaeyama Islands is usually 18°C (64°F) in January, and Kyoto stays around 5°C (40°F).
Yaeyama Islands usually receives less sunshine than Kyoto during winter. Yaeyama Islands gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Kyoto receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. In January, Yaeyama Islands usually receives more rain than Kyoto. Yaeyama Islands gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryYaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F)Kyoto 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Kyoto in the Spring?
Both Kyoto and Yaeyama Islands during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Yaeyama Islands is much warmer than Kyoto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yaeyama Islands in April are around 23°C (74°F), and Kyoto is about 14°C (58°F).
In the spring, Yaeyama Islands often gets less sunshine than Kyoto. Yaeyama Islands gets 154 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kyoto receives 176 hours of full sun.
Kyoto 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 around the same amount of rain in April as Kyoto. Yaeyama Islands gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Kyoto receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilYaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F)Kyoto 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kyoto and Yaeyama Islands
| Yaeyama Islands | Kyoto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 19°C (65°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (69°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (74°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 231 mm (9.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 203 mm (8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (67°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
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