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

Should you visit Yaeyama Islands or Tokyo?

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 Tokyo. 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 Tokyo?

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.

Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.

Which city is cheaper, Tokyo 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 Tokyo is $183. 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 Tokyo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Yaeyama Islands $61
    Tokyo $86
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Yaeyama Islands $122
    Tokyo $172
Compare Hotels in Yaeyama Islands and Tokyo

Looking for a hotel in Yaeyama Islands or Tokyo? 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 Tokyo


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 Tokyo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Yaeyama Islands $21
    Tokyo $22

Typical Local Transportation prices in Tokyo

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


  • Metro from Airport
    $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo

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

  • Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Tokyo City to Tokyo Station: $25
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Central Tokyo Hotel to Haneda Airport: $51
  • Tokyo Disneyland Shared Transfer : from Tokyo to Disneyland (One Way): $51
  • Tokyo DisneySea Shared Transfer : from Tokyo to DisneySea (One Way): $51
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND): $78
  • Tokyo hotel/address to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Transfer: $80
  • Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Car Transfer: $80
  • Japan Private Airport Transfer from Tokyo City to Haneda Airport (HND): $97
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Central Tokyo Hotel to Narita International Airport: $101
  • Departure Private Transfer from Tokyo City to Haneda Airport HND by Minivan: $108
  • Haneda Airport Private Transfer: $114
  • Private Transfer from Tokyo City Center to Tokyo Disneyland: $119

Is it cheaper to fly into Yaeyama Islands or Tokyo?

Prices for flights to both Tokyo 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
    Tokyo $43

Typical Food prices in Tokyo

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:


  • Late Night Noodles
    $5.89
  • Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack
    $5.89
  • Meal at Airport
    $7.68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo

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

  • 1-Hour Tsukiji Fish Market Food Tour with Local Guide: $26
  • Unique Private Cooking Class with a Tokyo Local Emi: $78
  • Local Food Tour on Sunamachi Ginza Street: $83
  • West-Side Walking & Street Food Tour: $95
  • Private Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class from Central Tokyo: $108
  • Private Japanese Cooking Class with a Local Chef: $120
  • Tokyo Food Tour: 3-Hour Culinary Adventure: $129
  • Gyoza Cooking Classes in Tokyo: $135
  • Private Dining: Wagyu and sake pairing dinner in Shinjuku: $136
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Japanese Cooking Class in Asakusa: $142
  • Tokyo Private Food Tour: From Ramen Bars, Vending Machines To Cat Cafes: $174
  • 3-Hour Food Tour of Shinbashi at Night: $182

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Yaeyama Islands $9.74
    Tokyo $80

Tours and Activities in Tokyo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.

  • Samurai Spots in Tokyo Virtual Tour: $8.26
  • Tokyo Tower: Admission Ticket: $11
  • 1-Hour River Cruise Asakusa to Odaiba: $11
  • Japanese Snacks You Should Try: Online Experience by Local Guide: $12
  • [Virtual Tour] Japan: the bathing and Sento experience: $12
  • [Virtual Tour] Ghibli Spots in Japan: $12
  • [Virtual Tour] Tokyo Highlights: $12
  • Tokyo Online: Virtual Experience in Shibuya and Shinjuku with a Local Expert: $14
  • Virtual Tour to Discover Mount Fuji: $14
  • Online Japanese Archery Experience: $15
  • Tokyo Online Tour All in One, With 10+ Top Sights!: $15
  • Thermae-Yu Hotspring in Shinjuku Entrance Ticket: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Yaeyama Islands $7.09
    Tokyo $37

Typical Alcohol prices in Tokyo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:


  • Sake
    $4.42


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yaeyama Islands and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. And not only is Yaeyama Islands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yaeyama Islands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yaeyama Islands 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo than you might in Yaeyama Islands.


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

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 Tokyo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Yaeyama Islands as well as Tokyo. Also, many travelers come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Yaeyama Islands is generally a little warmer than Tokyo. Temperatures in Yaeyama Islands average around 29°C (85°F), and Tokyo stays around 26°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Yaeyama Islands this time of the year. In the summer, Yaeyama Islands often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Yaeyama Islands gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 137 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tokyo. Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in July than Tokyo. Yaeyama Islands gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Yaeyama Islands 29°C (85°F) 
    Tokyo 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Tokyo in the Autumn?

Both Tokyo and Yaeyama Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Tokyo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Yaeyama Islands is a little warmer than Tokyo in the autumn. The temperature in Yaeyama Islands is usually 26°C (78°F) in October, and Tokyo stays around 18°C (64°F).

Yaeyama Islands usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during autumn. Yaeyama Islands gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 129 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. In October, Yaeyama Islands usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tokyo. Yaeyama Islands gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Yaeyama Islands 26°C (78°F) 
    Tokyo 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Tokyo in the Winter?

Both Tokyo and Yaeyama Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Yaeyama Islands is much warmer than Tokyo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yaeyama Islands in January are around 18°C (64°F), and Tokyo is about 5°C (42°F).

In the winter, Yaeyama Islands often gets less sunshine than Tokyo. Yaeyama Islands gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 175 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in January than Tokyo. Yaeyama Islands gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Yaeyama Islands 18°C (64°F) 
    Tokyo 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Tokyo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Yaeyama Islands and Tokyo. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Yaeyama Islands is generally much warmer than Tokyo. Temperatures in Yaeyama Islands average around 23°C (74°F), and Tokyo stays around 14°C (58°F).

Yaeyama Islands usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tokyo during spring. Yaeyama Islands gets 154 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Yaeyama Islands usually receives more rain than Tokyo. Yaeyama Islands gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Yaeyama Islands 23°C (74°F) 
    Tokyo 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Tokyo and Yaeyama Islands

Yaeyama Islands Tokyo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 5°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 19°C (65°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 20°C (69°F) 126 mm (5 in) 9°C (47°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Apr 23°C (74°F) 147 mm (5.8 in) 14°C (58°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 231 mm (9.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 203 mm (8 in) 22°C (71°F) 186 mm (7.3 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 179 mm (7 in) 26°C (78°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 229 mm (9 in) 23°C (74°F) 180 mm (7.1 in)
Oct 26°C (78°F) 173 mm (6.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 165 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Dec 20°C (67°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)


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Yaeyama Islands vs. Tokyo Travel Comparison

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