Yakushima is a cultural destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to Yakushima?
You should plan to spend around $144 (¥20,905) per day on your vacation in Yakushima. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $51 (¥7,361) on meals
- $52 (¥7,517) on local transportation
- $124 (¥18,015) on hotels
A one week trip to Yakushima for two people costs, on average, $2,021 (¥292,670). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$1,010
¥146,335
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$2,021
¥292,670
-
One Month
Per person
$4,330
¥627,150
-
One Week
For a couple
$2,021
¥292,670
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$4,041
¥585,340
-
One Month
For a couple
$8,660
¥1,254,300
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Yakushima cost?
A one week trip to Yakushima usually costs around $1,010 (¥146,335) for one person and $2,021 (¥292,670) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Yakushima on average costs around $2,021 (¥292,670) for one person and $4,041 (¥585,340) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Yakushima will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Yakushima on average costs around $4,330 (¥627,150) for one person and $8,660 (¥1,254,300) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Yakushima expensive to visit?
Yakushima is a charming destination that draws in visitors with an array of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary choices. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
You may find Yakushima to be expensive in some places, but there are ways to keep your budget in check, like looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $62 (¥9,015) per day, mid-range travelers spend $144 (¥20,905) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $287 (¥41,847) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Yakushima.
Within Asia, Yakushima is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Yakushima is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Yakushima Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Yakushima?
The average Yakushima trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Yakushima travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Yakushima cost?
Yakushima on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$27
(¥3,878)
|
$62
(¥9,007)
|
$125
(¥18,121)
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$23
(¥3,275)
|
$52
(¥7,517)
|
$100
(¥14,554)
|
|
Food2
|
$22
(¥3,157)
|
$51
(¥7,361)
|
$104
(¥14,993)
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$9
(¥1,372)
|
$22
(¥3,116)
|
$40
(¥5,825)
|
|
Alcohol2
|
$1-4
(¥214-641)
|
$3-10
(¥489-1,466)
|
$6-19
(¥934-2,801)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to be realistic about your budget for Yakushima. Many assume they can visit on a shoestring, but most travelers find that to be very challenging. Think about what matters to you when traveling. Is it staying in a resort, visiting all the attractions, or dining out at nice restaurants? These factors will determine how much you spend on your trip.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $62 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
As a couple or family looking for fun, you're likely to choose a mid-range hotel, dine at popular restaurants, and explore the major museums and attractions with entry fees. It's a common desire for visitors to Yakushima to experience the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. After all, most activities do cost money. Therefore, it's sensible to expect your daily budget to be approximately $144 per person, per day.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're looking for an all-encompassing vacation filled with luxurious amenities and higher-level service, prepare your budget for around $287 per day. Selecting nicer hotels, savoring meals at award-winning establishments, indulging in lavish adventures, and traveling around the destination with taxis or private drivers will call for a luxury budget.
Accommodation Budget in Yakushima
The price of hotels in Yakushima can be quite surprising. Higher-end hotels offer more luxury and amenities, but with much higher price tags, especially during peak season. Off-season averages are around $139, while peak season averages can reach $259. Prices range from $57 to $881, but hostels are usually cheaper. Traveling during the low season and booking early are good ways to save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Yakushima for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $124 (¥18,015). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $62 (¥9,007) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Yakushima? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Yakushima include:
- Yakushima Iwasaki Hotel starting at $229
- JR Hotel Yakushima starting at $257
- Seaside Hotel Yakushima starting at $216
- Marine Blue Yakushima starting at $205
- Minshuku Yakusugi-sou starting at $110
By skipping and traveling during the low or shoulder season, you'll enjoy lower accommodation rates and fewer crowds.
Transportation Budget in Yakushima
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $52 (¥7,517) per person, per day, on local transportation in Yakushima. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Yakushima is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$52
¥7,517
Plane or ferry are the best ways to get onto the island. Due to the small population, the bus options here are few and far between. Your best option is to rent a car or scooter, though international licenses are required to rent anything with a motor. Having a car with be extremely helpful when trying to navigate through the Island and can take you to some destinations that would otherwise be difficult to reach on foot.
If you're using a car, make sure your hotel has convenient parking available.
In Japan, trains are one of the fastest and lowest cost means of transportation. Getting a Japan Rail Pass can save you money if you plan to stay for several days or more. Regional and nation-wide passes are available, usually for the number of days of your choice.
How much does it cost to go to Yakushima? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Yakushima will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Yakushima
Food is a major attraction for travelers, so make sure you don't miss out on the local culinary delights.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Yakushima can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Yakushima is $51 (¥7,361) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$51
¥7,361
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Yakushima is around $51 (¥7361) per person, with previous travelers spending from $22 to $103. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Yakushima are as follows:
- Breakfast: $5 to $15
- Lunch: $8 to $20
- Dinner: $15 to $35
- Coffee: $4
- Fast Food or Street Food: $8
The specialties on Yakushima are flying fish and tankan and ponkan oranges. You'll also find plenty of fresh seafood options, ranging from sushi to rice bowls. A popular spot for locals is Kamogawa restaurant which offers an English menu that includes a great fish dinner. The area is also known for their shochu production, especially the Mitake brand which is offered in 25% and 32% options.
Numerous hotels provide breakfast as part of your stay, although others may charge you extra for it. The price and quality can vary from hotel to hotel. Being informed ahead of time can assist you in determining if you need to budget extra funds. The hotel buffet might be worth your money, or perhaps a cheaper option at a nearby bakery or cafe would suffice.
Pack a water bottle to avoid buying drinks on the go. Plus, it's beneficial for the planet.
Be sure to check which meals are part of your tour before you go. You might be responsible for some of your own food costs, which could stretch your budget further.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Yakushima
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Yakushima typically cost an average of $22 (¥3,116) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$22
¥3,116
The Island itself is a sight to behold, especially with the ancient cedar trees and huge forests. Before you head out for a hike though, check out the Yakusugi Museum which has photos and hands-on exhibits that explain the Island's natural beauty and history of the logging industry. The museum even has a section of a 1,660-year-old yakusugi cedar tree that you can touch!
There are two gardens to explore on the Island as well: Yakushima Fruit Garden and the Shitogo Gajumaru-en Banyan Garden. The Yakushima Fruit Garden is, as you could have guessed, a garden filled with fruit trees and plants. Seasonal fruit here includes papayas, mango, guava, and star fruit, all of which are available to eat or drink. The Shitogo Garden is home to 300-year-old Banyn trees and sub-tropical plants placed in a park setting, making for a great picnic spot.
Yakushima is famous for their terrain that has been almost entirely untouched by mankind, creating a woodland wonderland enclosing the walking trails. The forests even acted as inspiration for animator Hayao Miyazaki's epic Princess Mononoke. Most people take advantage of this beauty by taking long hikes throughout the mountains. There are a variety of hiking trails ranging in difficulty, the top three are: Jamon sugi, Shirantani Unsuikyo, and the trails of Yakusugiland. Jamon sugi is by far the most difficult and most famous, primarily for being home to the oldest tree on the island. The Shiratani forest and Yakusugiland trails are fairly easy and far more picturesque than their more famous counterpart.
Aside from hiking, there are a few white sand beaches on the Island, it is recommended that you only swim where life guards are present. If you choose otherwise, swim with caution as currents can be quite strong in some areas. There are also some good scuba diving spots, especially off Nagata-no-hama beach which has a small reef system. You can also canoe down the huge rivers that run through the Island.
Nightlife Budget in Yakushima
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $6.75 (¥977) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Yakushima per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$6.75
¥977
The nightlife is always tempting, but cutting down on drinks is an effective way to manage your travel spending.
Travel cost data last updated: Apr 30, 2025
Traveling in Yakushima
Yakkushima, Japan
Yakushima, Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage island located north of Okinawa and off the south east of of Kyushu. The island is well-known to Japanese tourists but not so much to international ones, making it a bit of a hidden gem to international tourists. This also means that English isn't spoken as much as in larger cities, so make sure to brush up on your Japanese and bring a dictionary.
Yakushima's terrain is very mountainous and tends to attract a lot of rain; so much so that over half of the year sees measurable rain pour making it one of the rainiest areas in Japan. The rainy season runs from June to mid-July, and a month later, typhoon season begins lasting until early October. Don't let this scare you off though, the Island is not always covered in rain and sees many days of sunshine, especially in August which is considered tourist season. If you prefer a better chance at staying dry, October and November are great times to visit while still being warm enough to hike the mountains.
Neighborhoods & Around
Seeing as the population is fairly small, around 14,000 people, the Island does not have many large towns. There are two main port cities on the island, Miyanoura and Anbo, where you'll find many restaurants, accommodations, and car rentals. The city of Yakushima on the north east side of the island is another popular destination with restaurants and accommodations. Yakushima is also home to the tourist office on the island, called Yakushima English Services, or YES.
Related:
Looking for a hostel in Japan? In search of a party in Tokyo? Traveling alone to Osaka or Tokyo?
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.