Should you visit Yaeyama Islands or Sado?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Yaeyama Islands and Sado. 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.
Sado
Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.
Which city is cheaper, Sado 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 Sado is $69. 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 Sado 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.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $33. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Sado the cost is $66 on average.
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.
In Sado travelers spend around $26 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Yaeyama Islands $31
Sado $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yaeyama Islands
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yaeyama Islands.
-
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 Sado
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sado.
-
Lunch or Dinner with Maiko Experience in Kyoto :
$14
-
Cooking the finest rice balls using salt and rice from Sado:
$20
-
Instagrammable Cooking Class (Miso-balls):
$23
-
Yokohama Lunch, Tea, and Dinner Cruise with Royalwings:
$25
-
Japanese Rolled Sushi cooking in Tokyo:
$27
-
Online character lunch box cooking class:
$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
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 cost of a taxi ride in Sado is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $15 per person, per day, on local transportation in Sado.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yaeyama Islands
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yaeyama Islands:
-
[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 Roundtrip Transfers from Ishigaki Island by Anei Kanko :
$11
-
Ferry Transfers between Naha and Kume, Tonaki by Kume Shosen :
$11
-
Shared Round-Trip Transfers for Chichibugahama Beach:
$23
-
Private Transfers Between Tokyo International Forum and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Yokohama Port (Osanbashi Terminal) and Tokyo City or Shin Yokohama City:
$32
-
Private City Transfers Between Osaka and Port of Kobe (One Way):
$32
-
Private City Transfers Between Kyoto 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 Sado
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sado:
-
[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 Roundtrip Transfers from Ishigaki Island by Anei Kanko :
$11
-
Ferry Transfers between Naha and Kume, Tonaki by Kume Shosen :
$11
-
Shared Round-Trip Transfers for Chichibugahama Beach:
$23
-
Private Transfers Between Tokyo International Forum and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and Tokyo City or Airports:
$32
-
Private Transfers Between Yokohama Port (Osanbashi Terminal) and Tokyo City or Shin Yokohama City:
$32
-
Private City Transfers Between Osaka and Port of Kobe (One Way):
$32
-
Private City Transfers Between Kyoto 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Yaeyama Islands or Sado?
Prices for flights to both Sado 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.
Entertainment and activities in Sado typically cost an average of $9.41 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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 Sado
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sado 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
-
Roman no Mori Kyowakoku Ticket in Chiba:
$4.55
-
Nagasaki Huis Ten Bosch Ticket:
$4.55
-
Hanshin Tourist Pass (1 Day, Umeda Pick Up):
$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.
The average person spends about $74 on alcoholic beverages in Sado per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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 Sado
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sado:
-
Hiroshima Sake Brewery Guided Tour in "Saijo", one of the three largest Japanese Sake spot:
$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yaeyama Islands and Sado, we can see that Yaeyama Islands is more expensive. And not only is Sado much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sado would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sado and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Yaeyama Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yaeyama Islands than you might in Sado.
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