Which place is cheaper, Yakushima or Shanghai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Shanghai or Yakushima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Shanghai and Yakushima. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Shanghai or Yakushima?
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
-
Shanghai Prices
China PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShanghai $132Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai 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 Shanghai and Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShanghai $82Yakushima $61
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShanghai $164Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai 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: Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shanghai $3.93Yakushima $51
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
-
Taxi Ride$3.64
-
Two Subway Tickets$0.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Private Transfer Shanghai Airport PVG / SHA to Shanghai / Suzhou: $14
- Private Transfer to/from Shanghai Disneyland Park: $15
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $18
- Yiwu Airport Private Transfer, airport pick up drop off services: $20
- Private Transfer to ERA Acrobats Show at Shanghai Circus World: $22
- [Airport Transfer] Shanghai Pudong Airport / Hongqiao Airport ⇔ Shanghai City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $23
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) to Shanghai City - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Shanghai City to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport private transfer to hotels downtown.: $24
- Private Transfer to Huangpu River Cruise Terminal: $24
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $25
- Shanghai Maglev Train Station Private Transfer from City Area : $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima and Shanghai 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 dayShanghai $38Yakushima $50
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
-
Dumpling Breakfast$1.40
-
Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$20
-
Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.29
-
Cantelope$1.68
-
Dumplings and Soup$2.10
-
Duck Dinner$4.21
-
Pastries$2.94
-
Barbeque Dinner$8.97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- Authentic Local Food Tour In Downtown Shanghai-Tip Based: $3.58
- MingleX Dinner with Shanghai locals: $19
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li : $20
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Dim Sum by Sunflower Li: $20
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Public Chinese Cooking Class in Shanghai : $50
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
- Late Night Food Tour in the Shanghai's French Concession: $85
- Shanghai Cooking Dumpling and Taste Local Food w/Vegan Option: $87
- Private Cooking Class: Make Your Own Dim Sum In Shanghai: $88
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shanghai $8.55Yakushima $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
-
30 Minute River Cruise for Two$28
-
Zoo for Two$14
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- Shanghai French Concession Walking Tour-Tip Based: $3.58
- Evening Walking Tour at the Bund: $5.00
- Shanghai City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated: $5.00
- French Concession Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st & Best Rated: $5.00
- Shanghai Yu Garden Tickets with options (near the Bund): $8.50
- Yuyuan Garden Entrance Ticket: $9.00
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Shanghai Natural History Museum Ticket Booking: $11
- Yu/Yuyuan Garden Entry Ticket-E ticket: $13
- Shanghai City Sightseeing Bus Hop On Hop Off City Tour: $19
- JinMao Tower Ticket Pass Experience: $22
- Huangpu River sightseeing Cruise Ticket from ShiliuPu Pier: $23
Tours and Activities in Yakushima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yakushima are as follows:
- Private Guided Tour: $336
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayShanghai $7.46Yakushima $6.61
When comparing the travel costs between Shanghai 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 Shanghai Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Shanghai 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 Shanghai or Yakushima in the Summer?
Both Yakushima and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year.
Shanghai is around the same temperature as Yakushima in the summer. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In July, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyShanghai 28°C (83°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Yakushima in the Autumn?
Both Yakushima and Shanghai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Shanghai is cooler than Yakushima. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shanghai in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Yakushima averages at about 22°C (71°F).
Yakushima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Yakushima. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberShanghai 19°C (65°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Yakushima in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Yakushima. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Shanghai can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Shanghai is generally much colder than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 4°C (39°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryShanghai 4°C (39°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Yakushima in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Yakushima. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Shanghai is cooler than Yakushima in the spring. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shanghai usually gets less rain in April than Yakushima. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilShanghai 15°C (58°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Shanghai
| Shanghai | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.