A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yogyakarta vs. Yamaguchi for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is a historical, colorful, and youthful city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Yogyakarta travel costs.

Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi is a tranquil, scenic, and traditional town. The beauty of Yamaguchi is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food. See Yamaguchi travel costs.

Yogyakarta and Yamaguchi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Yogyakarta than Yamaguchi, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Yogyakarta is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Yamaguchi is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Yogyakarta is more touristy than Yamaguchi and is known for its beautiful temples, divine food, and lively dance shows. It is also home to Borobudur Temple. Yamaguchi is popular for its temples, serene setting, and traditional ways.

How is Yogyakarta different from Yamaguchi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Yamaguchi and Yogyakarta. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi?

Yogyakarta is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Yamaguchi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Yogyakarta has many famous sights for visitors. The city is known for it's cultural sights and temples. Kraton Yogyakarta is the palace where the Sultan lives. You should also visit Taman Sari Water Castle and Prambanan Temple. But for many visitors, Yogyakarta is seen as the gateway to the famed Borobudur Temple. This is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. It offers spectacular views and is best visited at sunrise.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Yamaguchi. There are many historic shrines and temples in the area, as well as the Kintai Bridge.

Is the Food Better in Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at very good restaurants in both Yogyakarta and Yamaguchi.

Yogyakarta has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's filled with street food stalls and cheap eateries where you can fill up on local Indonesian classics for a cheap price. Gudeg (stewed jackfruit), Satay, and Bakmi Jawa (Javanese noodles) are just some of the dishes that you must try.

Dining out in Yamaguchi is an experience not to be missed. The city has a long-running farming and fishing industry, so you can be assured fresh ingredients at every meal. Dishes are still deeply rooted in the area's culinary traditions, and perhaps the most famous local delicacy is the Fugu fish, otherwise known as blowfish. It's become famous among westerners as the fish can be poisonous if not prepared correctly.

Is Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi Better for Nightlife?

Yogyakarta is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Yamaguchi is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Yogyakarta has a large number of nightlife venues. With a large student population, you'll find many bars and live music venues around town. You'll also find night markets and plenty of theaters and live shows that you can enjoy.

Yamaguchi is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are some pubs and local bars, but most of the area is peaceful and tranquil, especially at night.

Is Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi Better for its Old Town?

Yogyakarta is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Yamaguchi does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Yogyakarta to see the historical old town. Kota Gede is the city's old town. It's filled with silver shops, religious sites, and traditional architecture. You'll also find a traditional market in the heart of the old town where you can buy coconut, dry fish, and tofu, or simply browse the unique items.

Yamaguchi does not have a historic old town.

Is Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi Better for Hiking?

Yamaguchi is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Yogyakarta is not a hiking destination.

Yamaguchi is a good destination for hiking. There are hiking and walking trails throughout the prefecture so that you can energy the natural setting.

Yogyakarta is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi?

Yogyakarta is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. However, Yamaguchi is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many people travel to Yogyakarta specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with craftsmen and a local art scene that makes it a wonderful shopping destination. There are countless markets and shops where you can pick up local handicrafts that highlight the city's culture.

Yamaguchi is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi More Beautiful?

Yamaguchi is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Yogyakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Yamaguchi is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The area is famed for its serene setting and natural beauty. There are many historic temples and pagodas in the area.

Yogyakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi.

Yogyakarta is a family-friendly city. It's often overlooked by families, but the temples, culture, art scene, and friendly people all make this a surprisingly fun destination for those traveling with kids. You'll also find a number of adventure activities in the area as well.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Yamaguchi. The city offers beautiful temples and a glimpse into Japanese culture that kids and adults alike will enjoy. There are also beautiful gardens and nearby natural scenery.

Is Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi Better for Couples?

Yamaguchi is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Yogyakarta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Yamaguchi makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its historic temples, natural beauty, and nice green space, this is a lovely city to explore as a couple.

Yogyakarta is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with fun activities for couples such as a visit to Taman Pelangi at night, taking a walk along Jalan Malioboro, and taking in a traditional dance performance.

Is Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Yogyakarta is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Yamaguchi is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Yogyakarta. Backpackers who want to experience Indonesia's culture and friendly population will love a visit to this lively city. There are plenty of hostels and other travelers to meet, but there's also a uniquely Indonesian vibe to the city.

Yamaguchi is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and budget-friendly accommodation options in the area.

Is Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi Better for Students?

Yogyakarta is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Yamaguchi is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Yogyakarta. There's a large number of students in the city, which makes this a fun place to study abroad.

Yamaguchi is not popular with students.

Is Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Yamaguchi is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Yogyakarta is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Yamaguchi has some public transit options. There are buses through the city and prefecture.

Public transit is generally limited in Yogyakarta. There's a public bus system known as Trans Jogja, which is used by both tourists and locals. You can also hire motorbikes, becak, or Ojek.

Is Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi a more walkable city?

Yogyakarta and Yamaguchi are good when it comes to walkability.

Yogyakarta is a somewhat walkable place. Many of the main sights are accessible on foot.

Yamaguchi is a somewhat walkable city. There are a number of walking trails in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Yogyakarta Worth Visiting? and Is Yamaguchi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Yamaguchi or Yogyakarta?

How long in Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Yogyakarta than Yamaguchi because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Yogyakarta, and 1-2 days is enough time in Yamaguchi.

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

Couples should spend more time in Yamaguchi than Yogyakarta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Yamaguchi that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Yogyakarta than Yamaguchi 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 Yogyakarta.

One day in Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Yogyakarta. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With museums and food around the serene town of Yamaguchi, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Yamaguchi, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the youthful destination of Yogyakarta. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With food and museums around the destination of Yamaguchi, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Yogyakarta. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Yamaguchi, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi?

Yogyakarta is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Yamaguchi is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yogyakarta Expensive? and Is Yamaguchi Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Yamaguchi?

Yogyakarta has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Yamaguchi. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta and Yamaguchi, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.