Should you visit Yaeyama Islands or Kyoto?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Kyoto or Yaeyama Islands?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Yaeyama Islands is $104, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $96. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Yaeyama Islands and Kyoto in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $120 for a double occupancy room in Yaeyama Islands.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Kyoto is $114. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
Food in Yaeyama Islands costs travelers about $31 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The price of a meal in Kyoto can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $27 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $11 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Yaeyama Islands $31
Kyoto $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yaeyama Islands
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yaeyama Islands.
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Lunch or Dinner with Maiko Experience in Kyoto :
$14
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Miso-balls):
$23
-
Yokohama Lunch, Tea, and Dinner Cruise with Royalwings:
$25
-
Online character lunch box cooking class:
$27
-
Japanese Rolled Sushi cooking in Tokyo:
$27
-
Tokyo West Side Walking and Street Food Tour:
$34
-
Hakodate's Famous Ikameshi Cooking Class:
$36
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Casual):
$41
-
Okinawa Home Cooking Experience:
$45
-
Moby Dick Dinner Cruise in Naha:
$53
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Special):
$59
-
Morning Wagyu Kaiseki Cooking Course:
$60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
-
Lunch or Dinner with Maiko Experience in Kyoto :
$14
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Miso-balls):
$23
-
Yokohama Lunch, Tea, and Dinner Cruise with Royalwings:
$25
-
Online character lunch box cooking class:
$27
-
Japanese Rolled Sushi cooking in Tokyo:
$27
-
Tokyo West Side Walking and Street Food Tour:
$34
-
Online Cooking Experience ～ Vegan Taco rice!! ～ high protein and low carbohydrate:
$35
-
Hakodate's Famous Ikameshi Cooking Class:
$36
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Casual):
$41
-
Nishiki Market Breakfast Walking Food Tour:
$43
-
Okinawa Home Cooking Experience:
$45
-
Moby Dick Dinner Cruise in Naha:
$53
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Yaeyama Islands is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $21 per person, per day, on local transportation in Yaeyama Islands.
The average price of local transportation around Kyoto is $9.72 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yaeyama Islands
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yaeyama Islands:
-
1 Day Fuji Q Liner Pass with Two Way Transfer from Tokyo:
$76
-
Ferry Roundtrip Transfers from Ishigaki Island by Anei Kanko :
$11
-
Ferry Transfers between Naha and Kume, Tonaki by Kume Shosen :
$11
-
Mount Fuji Climbing Tour with Accommodation & Transfer from Shinjuku/Tokyo/Yokohama/Nishi Funabashi:
$121
-
Nara Kimono and Deer Experience Day Trip from Kyoto (with One Way Transfer):
$10
-
Private Airport Transfer between New Chitose Airport (CTS) and Hokkaido Major Cities:
$209
-
Private Airport Transfer between Tokyo 23 Wards/Tokyo Disneyland and Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) Airport:
$125
-
Private Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) Transfer for Nagoya, Legoland, and Central Japan:
$146
-
Private City Transfers Between Kyoto and Port of Kobe (One Way):
$32
-
Private City Transfers Between Osaka and Port of Kobe (One Way):
$32
-
Private City Transfers Between Port of Kobe and Kobe/Osaka/Kyoto (One Way):
$32
-
Private City Transfers Between Tokyo and Kamakura/Shin-Yokohama (One Way):
$32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
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[5%OFF] Ferry Transfers from Ishigaki Island by Yaeyama Kanko Ferry:
$6.09
-
Nara Kimono and Deer Experience Day Trip from Kyoto (with One Way Transfer):
$10
-
Ferry Transfers between Naha and Kume, Tonaki by Kume Shosen :
$11
-
Ferry Roundtrip Transfers from Ishigaki Island by Anei Kanko :
$11
-
Shared Round-Trip Transfers for Chichibugahama Beach:
$23
-
Japan Railway Station Shared Arrival Transfer : Kyoto Station to Kyoto City:
$25
-
Private Transfers Between Musashino Forest Sports Plaza and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Tokyo Stadium and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Equestrian Park and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Kokugikan Arena and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Ariake Arena and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Nippon Budokan and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Yaeyama Islands typically cost an average of $9.62 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Kyoto's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $18 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Yaeyama Islands
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yaeyama Islands are as follows:
-
Beppu Tower Admission Ticket:
$3.65
-
Uzu no Michi and Onaruto Bridge Hall Edy Ticket:
$3.75
-
Yunomoto Onsen Experience in Hokkaido :
$4.09
-
[5% OFF] Akame 48 Watefalls / Ninja Training Experience Discount Ticket in Mie:
$4.35
-
Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko Experience:
$4.39
-
Hanshin Tourist Pass (1 Day, Umeda Pick Up):
$4.55
-
Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch Ticket:
$4.55
-
Roman no Mori Kyowakoku Ticket in Chiba:
$4.55
-
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill Ticket:
$4.85
-
Yunokuni no Mori Ticket in Komatsu:
$4.99
-
Hida Kanayama Onsen Yutarikan Hot Spring Experience in Gifu:
$4.99
-
Museum of Aeronautical Science Admission Ticket :
$5.09
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Beppu Tower Admission Ticket:
$3.65
-
Uzu no Michi and Onaruto Bridge Hall Edy Ticket:
$3.75
-
Yunomoto Onsen Experience in Hokkaido :
$4.09
-
[5% OFF] Akame 48 Watefalls / Ninja Training Experience Discount Ticket in Mie:
$4.35
-
Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko Experience:
$4.39
-
Hanshin Tourist Pass (1 Day, Umeda Pick Up):
$4.55
-
Roman no Mori Kyowakoku Ticket in Chiba:
$4.55
-
Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch Ticket:
$4.55
-
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill Ticket:
$4.85
-
Hida Kanayama Onsen Yutarikan Hot Spring Experience in Gifu:
$4.99
-
Yunokuni no Mori Ticket in Komatsu:
$4.99
-
Museum of Aeronautical Science Admission Ticket :
$5.09
Alcohol
The average person spends about $7.01 on alcoholic beverages in Yaeyama Islands per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Kyoto may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $13 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Yaeyama Islands
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Yaeyama Islands:
-
Hiroshima Sake Brewery Guided Tour in "Saijo", one of the three largest Japanese Sake spot:
$12
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Hiroshima Sake Brewery Guided Tour in "Saijo", one of the three largest Japanese Sake spot:
$12
-
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
-
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.
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