A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Yaeyama Islands vs. Nagoya for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya?

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 Nagoya. 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 pristine, luxurious, and serene archipelago. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Nagoya

Nagoya is a under-the-radar, under-rated, and often overlooked city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Yaeyama Islands and Nagoya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nagoya than Yaeyama Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nagoya is better known for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Yaeyama Islands is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Yaeyama Islands is more touristy than Nagoya and is popular for its jungle, tropical setting, and pristine beaches. Nagoya is well known for its local cuisine, historic shrines, and long running shipping industry. Also, Nagoya is famous for the Nagoya Castle.

How is Yaeyama Islands different from Nagoya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nagoya 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 Nagoya?

Nagoya is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Nagoya. There are shrines, temples, and other interesting sights in the city. Atsuta Jingu is an important Shinto shrine. Nagoya Castle is another interesting place to visit. If you're willing to head out of the city center a bit, the Meiji-mura Village Museum is an open air museum that has interesting Japanese architecture. There are also interesting museums in town such as the Nagoya City Art Museums and the Toyota Techno and Toyota Automobile Museums.

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 Nagoya? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nagoya is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Yaeyama Islands is not as famous, but is still a good archipelago to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Nagoya, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a strong food culture that's referred to as Nagoya meshi. It's a popular destination for foodies to Japan, even though the city itself is often overlooked by tourists. The city's food uses a lot of local vegetables and its influenced by several international flavors. Important ingredients in the dishes include unagi (freshwater eel), Nagoya cochin (chicken), tamari (soy sauce), and mame miso.

Yaeyama Islands has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya Better for Nightlife?

Nagoya is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Yaeyama Islands is not as famous, but is still a good archipelago to visit for nightlife and partying.

Nagoya offers plenty to do in the evening. There are many bars around town, many of which have an international theme. Later in the evening, many people head out to a nightclubs, most of which are concentrated in either Sakae and Shin-sakae.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Yaeyama Islands. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. You can sip a cocktail and enjoy the view from your resort's bar.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya Better for Resorts?

Yaeyama Islands is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Nagoya is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Yaeyama Islands is a great choice. There are luxury international resorts as well as smaller upscale hotels. Many resorts are found on the largest island, Ishigaki.

Nagoya is not a resort destination.

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

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

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Yaeyama Islands. The islands offer great scuba diving and snorkeling with coral reefs and tropical fish as well as manta rays and pelagic fish.

Nagoya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya Better for Beaches?

Yaeyama Islands is very popular for the beach. However, Nagoya is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Yaeyama Islands. 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.

Nagoya is not a beach destination.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya Better for Hiking?

Yaeyama Islands is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Nagoya 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.

Nagoya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya?

Nagoya is a well-known place for shopping. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Nagoya is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find everything from large shopping malls to street markets and local vendors. Many people head to Nagoya Station for shopping, but Osu Shotengai is another interesting shopping area in the city's old town.

Yaeyama Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya Better for Families?

Nagoya is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Yaeyama Islands is not as famous, but is still a good archipelago to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Nagoya is very family-friendly. There are a large number of attractions for families in the area. This city is where you'll find Legoland Japan, which is one of the most popular activities to do with kids. The city also has the Sea Life Aquarium, which is located in the Legoland Hotel. Next to Legoland you'll find the SCMaglev and Railway Park. Another great activity is a visit to the Nagoya Public Aquarium, which is one of the biggest aquariums in Japan. There are dolphins, orcas, and many different ecosystems to explore. Nearby is the Sea Train Land amusement park.

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.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya Better for Couples?

Yaeyama Islands is very popular for couples. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Yaeyama Islands makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Nagoya is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy visiting the Nagoya Castle or checking out the dolphin and orca shows at the Nagoya Public Aquarium. Noritake Garden is a nice place to explore. There are also many coffee shops in town as well as museums and temples.

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

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Nagoya. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a limited number of hostels in town, so they fill up quickly. You should make reservations well in advance if budget is a priority.

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 Nagoya Better for Students?

Nagoya is a good destination for students. However, Yaeyama Islands is not popular with students.

Nagoya is a good city to visit for students. Nagoya University has been working to grow its international population. This is a fun and dynamic city that makes a great place to study.

Yaeyama Islands is not popular with students.

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

Nagoya is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Nagoya can move around easily with public transportation. The city has both a subway and public buses. The main bus stations are at Nagoya Station and Sakae Station and there are six subway lines throughout the city.

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 Nagoya a more walkable city?

Nagoya is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for its high level of walkability.

Nagoya is very walkable. The downtown area, where you'll find many of the sights, is walkable. The distances vary, but many sights can be reached on foot.

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 Nagoya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagoya or Yaeyama Islands?

How long in Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Yaeyama Islands and Nagoya. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Yaeyama Islands than in Nagoya. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Yaeyama Islands, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nagoya.

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

Couples should spend more time in Yaeyama Islands than Nagoya. 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 Nagoya 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 Nagoya.

One day in Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Yaeyama Islands. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Nagoya is a big city with plenty to do. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya?

Yaeyama Islands is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Nagoya is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Nagoya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Yaeyama Islands. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Nagoya is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya?

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the idyllic destination of Yaeyama Islands. This archipelago offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nagoya. 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 G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

When comparing the travel costs between Yaeyama Islands and Nagoya, 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 Nagoya Expensive?.

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

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 Nagoya in the Summer?

Both Nagoya and Yaeyama Islands during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Yaeyama Islands this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nagoya for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Yaeyama Islands is generally around the same temperature as Nagoya. Daily temperatures in Yaeyama Islands average around 29°C (85°F), and Nagoya fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Yaeyama Islands. In the summer, Yaeyama Islands often gets more sunshine than Nagoya. Yaeyama Islands gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 170 hours of full sun.

Nagoya 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 Nagoya. Yaeyama Islands gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yaeyama Islands and Nagoya. Many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Nagoya in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Yaeyama Islands is a little warmer than Nagoya in the autumn. The daily temperature in Yaeyama Islands averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Nagoya fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Yaeyama Islands usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nagoya during autumn. Yaeyama Islands gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 176 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nagoya 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 Nagoya. Yaeyama Islands gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Yaeyama Islands as well as Nagoya. Many visitors come to Yaeyama Islands in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Nagoya for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Nagoya can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Yaeyama Islands is much warmer than Nagoya. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yaeyama Islands in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Nagoya averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Yaeyama Islands often gets less sunshine than Nagoya. Yaeyama Islands gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagoya receives 180 hours of full sun.

Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the winter. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in January than Nagoya. Yaeyama Islands gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Nagoya in the Spring?

Both Nagoya and Yaeyama Islands are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Nagoya because of the activities around the city.

In April, Yaeyama Islands is generally much warmer than Nagoya. Daily temperatures in Yaeyama Islands average around 23°C (74°F), and Nagoya fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Yaeyama Islands usually receives less sunshine than Nagoya during spring. Yaeyama Islands gets 154 hours of sunny skies, while Nagoya receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagoya. It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. In April, Yaeyama Islands usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nagoya. Yaeyama Islands gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Yaeyama Islands is May to June.

Typical Weather for Nagoya and Yaeyama Islands