Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Sapporo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Sapporo or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Sapporo and Yakushima 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: Sapporo or Yakushima?
Sapporo
Capital of the northern Japanese island Hokkaido, Sapporo is a city surrounded by mountains and known for its beer, skiing, and annual snow festival with stunning ice sculptures. As host to the 1972 Winter Olympics, the city limits are dotted with ski jumps, hills, and popular ski resorts still in use today.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Sapporo Prices
Japan PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySapporo $132Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Sapporo is $132, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $141. 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 Sapporo and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSapporo $65Yakushima $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSapporo $130Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Sapporo and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Sapporo or Yakushima? 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.
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: Sapporo Hotel Prices and Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sapporo $16Yakushima $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sapporo
Also for Sapporo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shin Chitose Airport to/from Sapporo City: Shared Transfer: $93
- Private Transfer from Sapporo City Hotels to Otaru Cruise Port: $113
- Sapporo City: Private Transfer to/from New Chitose Airport: $132
- Airport Transfer! Hotel in center of Sapporo to New Chitose Airport (CTS): $140
- Private Departure Transfer : Sapporo City to New Chitose Airport: $237
- Private Transfer from Muroran Cruise Port to Sapporo Airport(CTS): $274
- New Chitose Airport (CTS) Private Transfer: $284
Is it cheaper to fly into Sapporo or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Sapporo 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
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Food Meals for one daySapporo $54Yakushima $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sapporo
For Sapporo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Japanese Cooking Class in Sapporo with Local Host Kanae: $72
- Japanese Cooking Class in the Heart of Sapporo with Sakura: $72
- Private Market Tour and Cooking Class with Kanae, a Sapporo Local: $82
- Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour: $97
- Hands-on Japanese Home Cooking Class in Sapporo with Noriko: $108
- Sapporo Night Food Tour: 3 Hidden Restaurants with a Foodie Guide: $218
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sapporo $17Yakushima $21
Tours and Activities in Sapporo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sapporo.
- JR Tower Observatory Admission Ticket: $4.33
- Sapporo TV Tower Admission Ticket: $6.76
- Historical Village of Hokkaido Entry Ticket: $6.76
- JR Tower Observation Deck T38 Ticket in Hokkaido: $9.00
- Sapporo Highlights: Golden Route Morning Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Sapporo Highlights: Golden Route Morning Walking Tour: $31
- Hokkaido Shrine Tour with Rituals, History & Sweets: $43
- Tour of the Historic Red Brick Government Office: $50
- Sapporo Afternoon Walking Tour 2h 30mins: $55
- Beer Museum Tour with Tasting of Local Brews: $57
- Sapporo Walking Tour: $61
- Authentic Nijo Market Seafood Lunch & History Tour: $64
Tours and Activities in Yakushima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yakushima are as follows:
- Private Guided Tour: $336
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySapporo $8.26Yakushima $6.61
Sample the Local Flavors in Sapporo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sapporo:
- Sapporo Tour in the Port City of Otaru and Local beer brewery: $174
- 1-Day Tour The port city of Otaru & Local Brewery: $178
When comparing the travel costs between Sapporo 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 Sapporo Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sapporo or Yakushima?
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 Sapporo or Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Sapporo during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sapporo is generally cooler than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Sapporo average around 21°C (69°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sapporo usually gets less rain in July than Yakushima. Sapporo gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySapporo 21°C (69°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sapporo or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sapporo and Yakushima. Many visitors come to Sapporo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Sapporo is much colder than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sapporo averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sapporo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sapporo usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Sapporo gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSapporo 11°C (52°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Sapporo or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sapporo as well as Yakushima. Most visitors come to Sapporo for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Sapporo can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Sapporo is much colder than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sapporo in January average around -5°C (24°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sapporo usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Yakushima. Sapporo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySapporo -5°C (24°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Sapporo or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Sapporo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the activities around the city.
In April, Sapporo is generally much colder than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Sapporo average around 7°C (44°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In April, Sapporo usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Sapporo gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSapporo 7°C (44°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Sapporo
| Sapporo | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (32°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (40°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (30°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
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.