A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Yokohama vs. Atami for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Yokohama or Atami?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yokohama or Atami, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Yokohama

Yokohama is a laid-back, diverse, and bright city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Atami

Atami is a overlooked, nostalgic, and authentic town. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Yokohama and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yokohama or Atami?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Yokohama. Although Yokohama and Atami are popular destinations, Yokohama has more sights and attractions for tourists. Yokohama is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Atami attracts visitors for its beaches. Yokohama is more touristy than Atami and is popular for its tech industry, impressive Chinatown, and brightly lit skyline at night. It is also well known for the Yokohama Chinatown. Atami is famous for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Yokohama different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Yokohama or Atami?

Yokohama is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Yokohama. The city has some eclectic museums like Cupnoodles Museum, the Ramen Museum, and the Kirin Beer Factory. There are also zoos, gardens, and the largest Chinatown in Japan.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Atami. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

Is the Food Better in Yokohama or Atami? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Yokohama is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Yokohama has a huge number of terrific restaurants. As home to the largest Chinatown in Japan, you'll find no shortage of Chinese restaurants here. You'll also find that the local cuisine uses a lot of vegetables. Local favorites include kenchin-jiru (tofu and vegetable chowder) as well as gyunabe (beef hot pot).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Yokohama or Atami Better for Nightlife?

Yokohama is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Yokohama has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is diverse, with lounges, pubs, and clubs throughout. It is also the home of Japan's first commercial brewery - Kinn. You'll find a good live music scene as well as everything from casual bars to upscale cocktail lounges.

Atami has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Yokohama or Atami Better for Beaches?

Atami is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Yokohama is not a beach destination.

Atami has a beach worth visiting. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Yokohama is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Yokohama or Atami?

Yokohama is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Yokohama is well-known for its shopping. The shopping scene has a laid back vibe that encourages you to take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Head to Marine & Walk Yokohama, which is right by the Minato Mirai waterfront, to find boutiques and upscale vendors. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is also one of the more famous shopping areas, but you should also check out Yokohama World Porters.

Many visitors go to Atami to go shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Is Yokohama or Atami Better for Families?

Yokohama is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Yokohama is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Kodomo no Kuni, or Children’s Land, is a theme park that has a lot to do for younger kids and a few things for older kids as well. Yokohama Cosmo World is another amusement park that is geared towards all ages, including rides for the older kids. Other interesting activities for families include Cupnoodles Museum, Zoorasia, and Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Yokohama or Atami Better for Couples?

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

Yokohama makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore the city's impressive Chinatown, enjoy the hot springs at Minato Mirai Manyo Club, or have an adrenaline filled day at Yokohama Cosmo World. There are also many museums and entertainment centers around town.

Atami is a good city for couples to visit. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Yokohama or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Yokohama and Atami are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Yokohama. Most backpackers skip over this city, but there are still a number of hostels around town and some interesting activities that you can enjoy.

Atami is a good city to visit for backpackers. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Yokohama or Atami Better for Students?

Yokohama is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Atami is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Yokohama. Students appreciate the cosmopolitan atmosphere and high quality of the educational institutions.

Atami is not popular with students.

Is Yokohama or Atami Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Yokohama is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Yokohama can get you around easily. Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station are the two main train stations. There is a subway system as well as city buses that travel around town.

You'll find some public transit in Atami, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Is Yokohama or Atami a more walkable city?

Yokohama is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Yokohama is a very walkable city. Many of the central parts of the city can be explored on foot. Most of the sites are concentrated around Minato Mirai, Chinatown, and Yokohama Station, which you can walk between.

Atami is a somewhat walkable city. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Yokohama Worth Visiting? and Is Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Yokohama?

How long in Yokohama or Atami?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Yokohama or Atami to fill your time. In our opinion, Yokohama has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Yokohama than Atami. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Yokohama than Atami 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 Yokohama.

One day in Yokohama or Atami?

Each neighborhood in Yokohama has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The town of Atami offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Yokohama or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Yokohama. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Atami is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Atami, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Yokohama or Atami?

Yokohama is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Yokohama. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Atami is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Yokohama or Atami?

You'll find food and shopping around the diverse big city of Yokohama. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Atami is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Yokohama or Atami?

Yokohama has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Yokohama and Atami, 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.

When is the best time to visit Yokohama or Atami?

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 Yokohama or Atami in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Yokohama as well as Atami. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Yokohama this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Yokohama is around the same temperature as Atami. Typically, the summer temperatures in Yokohama in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Atami averages at about 26°C (78°F).

In the summer, Yokohama often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Atami. Yokohama gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atami. Yokohama receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yokohama usually gets less rain in July than Atami. Yokohama gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Atami in the Autumn?

Both Atami and Yokohama are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Yokohama for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Atami in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Yokohama is generally around the same temperature as Atami. Daily temperatures in Yokohama average around 18°C (64°F), and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Yokohama usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atami during autumn. Yokohama gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. It's quite rainy in Yokohama. In October, Yokohama usually receives more rain than Atami. Yokohama gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Yokohama or Atami in the Winter?

Both Atami and Yokohama during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Yokohama in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Atami for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Yokohama is around the same temperature as Atami in the winter. The daily temperature in Yokohama averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In the winter, Yokohama often gets more sunshine than Atami. Yokohama gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun.

Yokohama usually gets less rain in January than Atami. Yokohama gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yokohama or Atami in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Yokohama and Atami. Most visitors come to Yokohama for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Atami because of the beaches.

In the spring, Yokohama is around the same temperature as Atami. Typically, the spring temperatures in Yokohama in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Atami averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Yokohama usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atami during spring. Yokohama gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yokohama gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Yokohama usually receives less rain than Atami. Yokohama gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Atami and Yokohama