A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Yaeyama Islands vs. Osaka for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Yaeyama Islands or Osaka?

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 Osaka. 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 Osaka?

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.

Osaka

The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.

Which city is cheaper, Osaka or Yaeyama Islands?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Yaeyama Islands is $105, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $95. 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 Osaka in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yaeyama Islands $61
    Osaka $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yaeyama Islands $122
    Osaka $96
Compare Hotels in Yaeyama Islands and Osaka

Looking for a hotel in Yaeyama Islands or Osaka? 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.

Hotels in Yaeyama Islands


Hotels in Osaka


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 Osaka Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yaeyama Islands $21
    Osaka $16

Typical Local Transportation prices in Osaka

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:


  • Subway
    $8.84

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shin Osaka Station to/from Osaka City: Shared Transfer: $23
  • Japan Railway Station Shared Arrival Transfer : Shin Osaka Station to Osaka City: $25
  • Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka to Shin Osaka Station: $25
  • Osaka Itami Airport to/from Osaka City: Shared Transfer: $31
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Osaka City to Osaka Itami Airport: $38
  • Universal Studio Japan Shared Transfer : from USJ to Osaka City (One Way): $51
  • Universal Studios Japan Shared Transfer : from Osaka to USJ (One Way): $51
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $101
  • Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $105
  • Private arrival Transfer from Kansai airport to Osaka city: $105
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Osaka to Kansai International Airport (KIX): $113
  • Departure Private Transfer from Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX by Sedan Car: $119

Is it cheaper to fly into Yaeyama Islands or Osaka?

Prices for flights to both Osaka 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Yaeyama Islands $32
    Osaka $28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Street Food Tour Around Dotonburi Canal: $9.84
  • Takoyaki Cooking Class: $13
  • Deep Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Namba, Osaka: $30
  • Deep Food Tour & Bar Hopping in Temma, Osaka: $30
  • (Online)Popular Japanese pancake and miso soup cooking: $31
  • 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $36
  • Local Secrets Food Tour in Osaka: $37
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $40
  • Walkabout Food Tour in Osaka: $43
  • Okonomiyaki Cooking, The Heart of Osaka: $57
  • Lunch Box Bento Set Cooking: $74
  • Home Cooking Class: $76

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yaeyama Islands $9.74
    Osaka $21

Typical Entertainment prices in Osaka

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Osaka Aquarium (for 2)
    $34

Tours and Activities in Osaka

For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 【Special Sale】Virtual Osaka Dotonbori & Ebisu Bridge Walking Tour: $6.89
  • Osaka Dotonbori Wonder Cruise: $9.84
  • Osaka Bay : Sightseeing Cruise: $14
  • General Admission ticket to ABENO HARUKAS in Osaka: $15
  • Osaka virtual tour: $15
  • Skip the Line: Kids Plaza Osaka Admission Ticket: $17
  • HARUKAS 300 Observatory E-Ticket: $20
  • Livestream Virtual Tour of Osaka Castle Park: $22
  • LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Osaka Admission Tickets: $23
  • Real Kimono experience and Tsumami Kanzashi Workshop: $24
  • Livestream Virtual Tour of Osaka's Minami Area: $28
  • Osaka Bus and Boat Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour with Subway Pass: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yaeyama Islands $7.09
    Osaka $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:

  • Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $20
  • Private Tour - Fashionable Pub Crawl at Osaka, Enjoy the Japanese Alcohol!: $98


When comparing the travel costs between Yaeyama Islands and Osaka, 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 Osaka?

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 Osaka in the Summer?

Both Osaka and Yaeyama Islands during the summer are popular places to visit.

In July, Yaeyama Islands is generally around the same temperature as Osaka. Temperatures in Yaeyama Islands average around 29°C (85°F), and Osaka stays around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Yaeyama Islands. In the summer, Yaeyama Islands often gets more sunshine than Osaka. Yaeyama Islands gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 183 hours of full sun.

Osaka 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 more rain in July than Osaka. Yaeyama Islands gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Yaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F) 
    Osaka 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Osaka in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Yaeyama Islands and Osaka.

Yaeyama Islands is a little warmer than Osaka in the autumn. The temperature in Yaeyama Islands is usually 26°C (78°F) in October, and Osaka stays around 19°C (66°F).

Yaeyama Islands usually receives more sunshine than Osaka during autumn. Yaeyama Islands gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Osaka 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 Osaka. Yaeyama Islands gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Yaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F) 
    Osaka 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Osaka in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Yaeyama Islands as well as Osaka.

In the winter, Yaeyama Islands is much warmer than Osaka. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yaeyama Islands in January are around 18°C (64°F), and Osaka is about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Yaeyama Islands often gets less sunshine than Osaka. Yaeyama Islands gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 140 hours of full sun.

Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the winter. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in January than Osaka. Yaeyama Islands gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Yaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F) 
    Osaka 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Osaka in the Spring?

Both Osaka and Yaeyama Islands are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Yaeyama Islands is generally much warmer than Osaka. Temperatures in Yaeyama Islands average around 23°C (74°F), and Osaka stays around 15°C (59°F).

Yaeyama Islands usually receives less sunshine than Osaka during spring. Yaeyama Islands gets 154 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. In April, Yaeyama Islands usually receives around the same amount of rain as Osaka. Yaeyama Islands gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Yaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F) 
    Osaka 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Osaka and Yaeyama Islands

Yaeyama Islands Osaka
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 19°C (65°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 20°C (69°F) 126 mm (5 in) 9°C (48°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 23°C (74°F) 147 mm (5.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 231 mm (9.1 in) 20°C (67°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 203 mm (8 in) 24°C (74°F) 204 mm (8 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 179 mm (7 in) 28°C (82°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 229 mm (9 in) 25°C (77°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Oct 26°C (78°F) 173 mm (6.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 13°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec 20°C (67°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 8°C (47°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)


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Yaeyama Islands vs. Osaka Travel Comparison

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