A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Atami vs. Dewa Sanzan for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Atami or Dewa Sanzan?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Atami and Dewa Sanzan 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.

Atami

Atami is a nostalgic, authentic, and overlooked town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a sacred, remote, and traditional religious site. Visitors also love the hiking and museums.

Atami and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atami or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Atami than Dewa Sanzan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Atami is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Dewa Sanzan is more popular for its hiking. Atami is well known for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches. Also, Atami is famous for Kinomiya Shrine. Dewa Sanzan is well known for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Atami different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dewa Sanzan and Atami. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atami or Dewa Sanzan?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Atami and Dewa Sanzan.

Atami offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dewa Sanzan. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

Is the Food Better in Atami or Dewa Sanzan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Atami is very good for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Atami has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Atami or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Atami is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Atami. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Atami or Dewa Sanzan Better for Beaches?

Atami is very good for the beache. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Atami to enjoy the beach. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Atami or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Atami is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Dewa Sanzan. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Atami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atami or Dewa Sanzan?

Atami is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atami. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Atami or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Atami is very good for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Atami is a family-friendly town. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly town. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Atami or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Both Atami and Dewa Sanzan are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Atami makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Dewa Sanzan is a good town for couples to visit. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Is Atami or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atami and Dewa Sanzan are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Atami is a good town to visit for backpackers. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Plenty of backpackers visit Dewa Sanzan. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

Is Atami or Dewa Sanzan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atami is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its public transit.

Atami has some public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Public transit is generally limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Atami or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Atami is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Atami is a somewhat walkable place. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

For even more information, also check out Is Atami Worth Visiting? and Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Atami?

How long in Atami or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atami and Dewa Sanzan. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dewa Sanzan than in Atami. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Atami, and 2-3 days is enough time in Dewa Sanzan.

Families should spend more time in Atami than Dewa Sanzan. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Atami, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Atami than Dewa Sanzan. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Atami that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atami than Dewa Sanzan if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Atami.

One day in Atami or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the overlooked town of Atami. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Dewa Sanzan, many people enjoy the museums that this religious destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This religious site offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Atami or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the authentic destination of Atami. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dewa Sanzan. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Atami or Dewa Sanzan?

The overlooked town of Atami offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Dewa Sanzan is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Dewa Sanzan. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Atami or Dewa Sanzan?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Atami. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums around the traditional destination of Dewa Sanzan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atami and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Atami is more expensive. And not only is Dewa Sanzan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dewa Sanzan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan.

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

When is the best time to visit Atami or Dewa Sanzan?

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 Atami or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Atami are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Atami in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking during these months.

Atami is around the same temperature as Dewa Sanzan in the summer. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

Atami usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during summer. Atami gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. It's quite rainy in Atami. In July, Atami usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dewa Sanzan. Atami gets 202 mm (8 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Atami or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Atami during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Atami for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the hiking trails.

In the autumn, Atami is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atami in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Atami often gets less sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Atami gets 130 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.

Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. Atami usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Dewa Sanzan. Atami gets 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atami or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Atami and Dewa Sanzan. The winter months attract visitors to Atami because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year.

It's quite cold in Dewa Sanzan in the winter. In January, Atami is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Atami average around 5°C (42°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

Atami usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during winter. Atami gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Atami usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Atami gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Atami or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Atami as well as Dewa Sanzan. The beaches are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

Atami is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the spring. The daily temperature in Atami averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Atami often gets less sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Atami gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the spring. Atami usually gets more rain in April than Dewa Sanzan. Atami gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Atami