A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hongcun vs. Atami for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hongcun or Atami?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hongcun and Atami can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Hongcun or Atami?

Hongcun

When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.

The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.

Atami

Sharing a home with the famous Mount Fuji inside the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Atami is a Japanese city set on the seaside of the Izu Peninsula. With volcanic hills and natural hot springs, visitors are very much drawn to the unique landscape of the place. There are many hot springs resorts that take advantage of the area's natural features, which have been attracting visitors since the 8th century.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Atami or Hongcun?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $67, while the average daily cost in Atami is $108. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Hongcun and Atami in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hongcun $23
    Atami $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hongcun $46
    Atami $88
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Atami

Looking for a hotel in Hongcun or Atami? 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 Hongcun


Hotels in Atami


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: Atami Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hongcun $12
    Atami $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Atami?

Prices for flights to both Atami and Hongcun 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
    Hongcun $33
    Atami $43
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.91
  • Breakfast of Dumplings
    $2.10

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hongcun $17
    Atami $7.96
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:


  • Two Entrance Tickets
    $29

Tours and Activities in Atami

For Atami, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Experience Tea Ceremony at a Traditional Japanese Inn : $46
  • Japanese Traditional Music Experience: $48
  • Odawara Ramen Crawl Experience: Visit 2 Iconic Shops: $52
  • 2025 1 Day Winter Sumo Official Provincial Tour at Odawara: $104
  • Ninja, Samurai, Odawara Castle Experience: $138
  • Odawara Castle and Town Guided Discovery Tour: $138
  • Odawara to Hakone Scenic Adventure: $172
  • Hakone customized private one day tour: $173

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hongcun $14
    Atami $5.65


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

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



When is the best time to visit Hongcun 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 Hongcun or Atami in the Summer?

Both Atami and Hongcun during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

In July, Hongcun is generally a little warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 29°C (85°F), and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. Hongcun usually gets less rain in July than Atami. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hongcun 29°C (85°F) 
    Atami 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Atami in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Atami. Furthermore, many travelers come to Atami for the shopping scene.

Hongcun is around the same temperature as Atami in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Atami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Hongcun usually receives less rain than Atami. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hongcun 19°C (65°F) 
    Atami 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Atami in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Atami. Additionally, many visitors come to Atami in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. In the winter, Hongcun is cooler than Atami. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hongcun in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Atami averages at about 5°C (42°F).

Hongcun usually gets less rain in January than Atami. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hongcun 4°C (40°F) 
    Atami 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Hongcun or Atami in the Spring?

Both Atami and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Atami for the beaches during these months.

In April, Hongcun is generally a little warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 17°C (62°F), and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In April, Hongcun usually receives around the same amount of rain as Atami. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hongcun 17°C (62°F) 
    Atami 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Atami and Hongcun

Hongcun Atami
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 5°C (42°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 6°C (42°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
May 22°C (71°F) 189 mm (7.4 in) 18°C (65°F) 164 mm (6.4 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 235 mm (9.2 in) 22°C (71°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Jul 29°C (85°F) 185 mm (7.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 202 mm (8 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 121 mm (4.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 222 mm (8.7 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 23°C (74°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Oct 19°C (65°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 108 mm (4.2 in)
Dec 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)


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