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

Should you visit Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dewa Sanzan and Brisbane can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a traditional, religious, and sacred religious site. It's also popular because of the hiking and museums. See Dewa Sanzan travel costs.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a active, relaxed, and diverse coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Brisbane travel costs.

Dewa Sanzan and Brisbane: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brisbane. Although Dewa Sanzan and Brisbane are both popular with visitors, Brisbane has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Brisbane is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Dewa Sanzan is known for its hiking. Brisbane is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is known for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas. It is also home to the Cultural Centre. Dewa Sanzan is popular for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Dewa Sanzan different from Brisbane?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Brisbane specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

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

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

Brisbane has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

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 Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane Better for Nightlife?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Brisbane has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

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 Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is very good for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Brisbane is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is great for hiking. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking trails. 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.

Brisbane has hiking trails worth exploring. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

Brisbane is well-known for its shopping. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in 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 Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane Better for Families?

Brisbane 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, Brisbane is very family-friendly. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly religious site. 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 Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane Better for Couples?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Brisbane are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Dewa Sanzan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Brisbane is a good religious site for couples to visit. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

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

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Brisbane. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

It's common for backpackers to 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 Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane Better for Students?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is not popular with students.

Brisbane is very popular with students. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Dewa Sanzan is not popular with students.

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

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

Brisbane has some public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

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 Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane a more walkable city?

Brisbane is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Brisbane is a very walkable coastal city. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Brisbane or Dewa Sanzan?

How long in Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane?

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

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

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

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

One day in Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane?

The religious site of Dewa Sanzan offers museums. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the diverse coastal city of Brisbane. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

A weekend in Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane?

Dewa Sanzan is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this religious site makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dewa Sanzan, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxed destination of Brisbane. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This coastal city 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.

Five days in Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane?

Dewa Sanzan is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The active coastal city of Brisbane offers museums and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

A week in Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane?

Dewa Sanzan is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This religious site offers something for everyone.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dewa Sanzan and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. And not only is Dewa Sanzan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dewa Sanzan is in Asia and Brisbane is in Pacific, 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane 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 Dewa Sanzan Expensive? and Is Brisbane Expensive?.

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane 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 Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dewa Sanzan and Brisbane. The summer months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the hiking. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.

In the summer, Dewa Sanzan is around the same temperature as Brisbane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dewa Sanzan in July average around 23°C (74°F), and Brisbane averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. Dewa Sanzan usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during summer. Dewa Sanzan gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 256 hours of full sun in the summer.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Dewa Sanzan usually receives more rain than Brisbanein January. Dewa Sanzan gets 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dewa Sanzan as well as Brisbane. The hiking trails are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In October, Dewa Sanzan is generally much colder than Brisbanein April. Daily temperatures in Dewa Sanzan average around 13°C (56°F), and Brisbane fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. In the autumn, Dewa Sanzan often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein April. Dewa Sanzan gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 214 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Brisbane. Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Dewa Sanzan usually gets more rain in October than Brisbanein April. Dewa Sanzan gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane in the Winter?

Both Brisbane and Dewa Sanzan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Brisbane in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dewa Sanzan. Dewa Sanzan is much colder than Brisbane in the winter. The daily temperature in Dewa Sanzan averages around -1°C (30°F) in January, and Brisbane fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. Dewa Sanzan usually receives less sunshine than Brisbane during winter. Dewa Sanzan gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Brisbane receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. In January, Dewa Sanzan usually receives more rain than Brisbanein July. Dewa Sanzan gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Brisbane in the Spring?

Both Brisbane and Dewa Sanzan during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Brisbane for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Dewa Sanzan is much colder than Brisbane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dewa Sanzan in April average around 9°C (47°F), and Brisbane averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Dewa Sanzan often gets less sunshine than Brisbanein October. Dewa Sanzan gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brisbane receives 259 hours of full sun.

Dewa Sanzan usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Brisbanein October. Dewa Sanzan gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Brisbane receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Brisbane and Dewa Sanzan