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

Should you visit Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay?

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 Byron Bay can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dewa Sanzan

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

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a vegan-friendly, carefree, and Bohemian town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Dewa Sanzan and Byron Bay: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Byron Bay than Dewa Sanzan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Byron Bay is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Dewa Sanzan is more popular for its museums and attractions and hiking. Byron Bay is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is popular for its community spirit, undeveloped beaches, and world renowned festivals. Also, Byron Bay is famous for Cape Byron Lighthouse. Dewa Sanzan is well known for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Dewa Sanzan different from Byron Bay?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay?

Dewa Sanzan is a religious site with good options for its sights and museums. However, Byron Bay is not a good town for its museums and history.

Dewa Sanzan offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

While most people don't head to Byron Bay specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's a small town that's all about the laid back beach scene so you won't find many museums or iconic buildings in town. Do check out the Cape Byron Lighthouse if you get the chance.

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

Byron Bay is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Byron Bay has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The restaurant scene is just starting to gain momentum. There are a growing number of trendy bistros and international flavors around town. You'll find plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as smoothies and brunch cafes.

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 Byron Bay Better for Nightlife?

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

Byron Bay has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is all about relaxed luxury. There are high end cocktail bars, piano bars, live music venues, and DJ led parties. You can head to a bistro on the beach or dance the night away at one of the nightclubs.

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 Byron Bay Better for Resorts?

Byron Bay is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Byron Bay. There are luxury resorts, family-friendly villas, and contemporary apartments that offer great accommodation in a good environment.

Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay Better for Beaches?

Byron Bay is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Byron Bay is a very popular vacation destination. The pristine beaches are at the heart of the appeal in this town. Main Beach is, as the name implies, right in the heart of town. Many beaches are lined with forest and there are waves that are great for surfing. At its heart, this town will always be a surfer's town.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Byron Bay is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Byron Bay offers some nice hiking trails. There are many walking trails that make nature accessible. Whether you want to walk along the coastline or into the hills, there are many places to enjoy a peaceful stroll.

Is the Shopping Better in Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay?

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

Byron Bay is well-known for its shopping. In the past, this was never a shopping town, but in recent years it has attracted fashion icons and free spirits. There are many boutique shops on the main streets in town and there are still quirky stores that offer the unexpected.

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 Byron Bay Better for Families?

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

Byron Bay is a family-friendly town. It's laid back vibe and beautiful beaches offer a great place for families to vacation. There are plenty of family-friendly accommodation options and, while there aren't the theme parks and kid-centered activities of some places, there is still plenty to enjoy in the area.

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 Byron Bay Better for Couples?

Byron Bay is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Byron Bay makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's known for its instagram-worthy settings and its popularity with influencers. Couples will appreciate the laid back vibe and chill beach scene. There are great restaurants and plenty of nice hotels and resorts to choose from.

Dewa Sanzan is a good religious site 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 Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay. It's lost some of its original hippie surf town vibe, but there is still a great backpacker scene. Now it's more popular with the influencer crowd, but the party scene and beautiful beaches attract backpackers as well.

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 Byron Bay Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Dewa Sanzan and Byron Bay.

Public transit is mostly 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.

Public transit is generally limited in Byron Bay. There is a bus service that is provided by Blanch's Bus Company.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay a more walkable city?

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

Byron Bay is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is compact and it's possible to explore on foot, but if you want to go further you'll need to have access to a vehicle.

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 Byron Bay Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Byron Bay or Dewa Sanzan?

How long in Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Byron Bay have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Byron Bay than in Dewa Sanzan. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Dewa Sanzan, and 3-7 days is enough time in Byron Bay.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay.

One day in Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay?

You'll find museums around the religious site of Dewa Sanzan. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the mellow town of Byron Bay. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the beaches. 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 Byron Bay?

You'll find museums around the traditional destination of Dewa Sanzan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this religious site has to offer. This religious site offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the carefree destination of Byron Bay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay?

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the sacred religious site of Dewa Sanzan. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the relaxed town of Byron Bay. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay?

Dewa Sanzan is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Byron Bay. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Japan, The Best Tours for Seniors 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 Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay 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 Byron Bay Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Dewa Sanzan as well as Byron Bay. Many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking. Also, many visitors come to Byron Bay in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite rainy in Byron Bay. Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Dewa Sanzan usually gets more rain in July than Byron Bayin January. Dewa Sanzan gets 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay in the Autumn?

Both Byron Bay and Dewa Sanzan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the autumn for the hiking trails. Also, most visitors come to Byron Bay for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Dewa Sanzan is much colder than Byron Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dewa Sanzan in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Byron Bay averages at about 20°C (69°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Byron Bay. It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. In October, Dewa Sanzan usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin April. Dewa Sanzan gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay in the Winter?

Both Byron Bay and Dewa Sanzan during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Byron Bay because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dewa Sanzan can be very cold during winter. In January, Dewa Sanzan is generally much colder than Byron Bayin July. Daily temperatures in Dewa Sanzan average around -1°C (30°F), and Byron Bay fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. Dewa Sanzan usually gets more rain in January than Byron Bayin July. Dewa Sanzan gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Byron Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dewa Sanzan and Byron Bay. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Byron Bay this time of year.

Dewa Sanzan is much colder than Byron Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Dewa Sanzan averages around 9°C (47°F) in April, and Byron Bay fluctuates around 19°C (67°F)in October.

In April, Dewa Sanzan usually receives more rain than Byron Bayin October. Dewa Sanzan gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Byron Bay receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Byron Bay and Dewa Sanzan