A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Darwin vs. Dewa Sanzan for Hiking, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Darwin or Dewa Sanzan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Darwin or Dewa Sanzan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Darwin

Darwin is a multicultural, authentic, and local town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a religious, sacred, and remote religious site. And you can't forget about the hiking and museums.

Darwin and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Darwin or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Darwin than Dewa Sanzan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Darwin is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is popular for its outdoor markets and tropical weather. Also, Darwin is famous for Mindil Beach. Dewa Sanzan is well known for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Darwin different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Darwin and Dewa Sanzan.

Darwin offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

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 Darwin or Dewa Sanzan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Darwin has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

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 Darwin or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Darwin 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 Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues 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 Darwin or Dewa Sanzan Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Darwin to enjoy the beach. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Darwin or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Darwin and Dewa Sanzan are both places where visitors can find excellent hiking trails.

Darwin is a popular spot for hiking. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Darwin or Dewa Sanzan?

Darwin 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 Darwin. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

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 Darwin or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Darwin is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Darwin is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

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 Darwin or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Darwin and Dewa Sanzan are both notable to visit as a couple.

Darwin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

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 Darwin or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Darwin and Dewa Sanzan are notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Darwin. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

Dewa Sanzan is a good town to visit for backpackers. 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 Darwin or Dewa Sanzan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Darwin has some public transit options. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

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 Darwin or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

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

Darwin is a somewhat walkable place. There are biking and walking paths around town.

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 Darwin Worth Visiting? and Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Darwin?

How long in Darwin or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Darwin and Dewa Sanzan. In our opinion, Darwin has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Darwin than Dewa Sanzan. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Darwin 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 Darwin.

One day in Darwin or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the multicultural town of Darwin. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Dewa Sanzan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Darwin or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the tropical destination of Darwin. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Dewa Sanzan is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Darwin or Dewa Sanzan?

The tropical town of Darwin offers shopping and museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dewa Sanzan. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Darwin or Dewa Sanzan?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Darwin. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the sacred destination of Dewa Sanzan. This religious site offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darwin and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Darwin is more expensive. And not only is Dewa Sanzan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Darwin is in Pacific and Dewa Sanzan is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Darwin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Darwin 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 Darwin Expensive? and Is Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Darwin is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Dewa Sanzan has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Darwin or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Darwin during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Darwin for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the hiking.

Darwin is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the summer. The daily temperature in Darwin averages around 29°C (83°F) in January, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in July.

In the summer, Darwin often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzanin July. Darwin gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 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 Darwin. Darwin usually gets more rain in January than Dewa Sanzanin July. Darwin gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Darwin or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Darwin and Dewa Sanzan. The autumn months attract visitors to Darwin because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year.

In the autumn, Darwin is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Darwin in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 13°C (56°F)in October.

In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during autumn. Darwin gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Darwin usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzanin October. Darwin gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Darwin or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Darwin as well as Dewa Sanzan. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Darwin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dewa Sanzan. In July, Darwin is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzanin January. Daily temperatures in Darwin average around 25°C (77°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. In the winter, Darwin often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzanin January. Darwin gets 312 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Darwin usually gets less rain in July than Dewa Sanzanin January. Darwin gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Darwin or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Darwin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Darwin for the beaches.

Darwin is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the spring. The daily temperature in Darwin averages around 29°C (85°F) in October, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. Darwin usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during spring. Darwin gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Darwin usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzanin April. Darwin gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Darwin