A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ao Nang vs. Yakushima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ao Nang or Yakushima?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Yakushima? 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.

Where Should I go: Ao Nang or Yakushima?

Ao Nang

If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.

Yakushima

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Ao Nang and Yakushima, we can see that Yakushima is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Ao Nang or Yakushima?

Yakushima has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ao Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Yakushima in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Yakushima. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Ao Nang is generally around the same temperature as Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in July than Yakushima. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Yakushima in the Autumn?

Both Yakushima and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year.

Ao Nang is a little warmer than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In October, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Yakushima. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Yakushima in the Winter?

Both Yakushima and Ao Nang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Ao Nang is much warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ao Nang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ao Nang usually gets less rain in January than Yakushima. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Yakushima in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Yakushima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round.

In April, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 29°C (84°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Ao Nang