A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Sado vs. Yakushima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sado or Yakushima?

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

Should I visit Sado 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: Sado or Yakushima?

Sado

Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.

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 Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Japan.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Sado or Yakushima?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Sado or Yakushima in the Summer?

Both Yakushima and Sado are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Sado because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sado is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sado in July average around 23°C (74°F), and Yakushima averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Sado. In July, Sado usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Sado gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sado or Yakushima in the Autumn?

Both Yakushima and Sado during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sado this time of year.

In October, Sado is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Sado average around 16°C (60°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. Sado usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Sado gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sado or Yakushima in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sado and Yakushima. Many travelers come to Sado for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Sado. Sado is much colder than Yakushima in the winter. The daily temperature in Sado averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sado usually receives more rain than Yakushima. Sado gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sado or Yakushima in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sado as well as Yakushima.

In the spring, Sado is much colder than Yakushima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sado in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Yakushima averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Sado receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sado usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Sado gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Yakushima and Sado