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

Should you visit Dewa Sanzan or Coffs Harbour?

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 Coffs Harbour can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a sacred, remote, and traditional religious site. Other reasons to visit include hiking and museums.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a nature-filled, lively, and relaxing vacation town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Dewa Sanzan and Coffs Harbour: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dewa Sanzan or Coffs Harbour?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Coffs Harbour. Although Dewa Sanzan and Coffs Harbour are popular destinations, Coffs Harbour has more sights and attractions for tourists. Coffs Harbour is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is known for its popularity as a holiday destination, diverse marine environment, and the iconic "Big Banana". It is also well known for the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Dewa Sanzan is famous for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Dewa Sanzan different from Coffs Harbour?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour?

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

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Coffs Harbour. The town is home to the infamous Big Banana Fun Park. It's a large amusement park that's become recognized for the "Big Banana" at the entrance - which is the first of the "Big Things" found in Australia. The town also has several other landmarks to check out such as the Forest Sky Pier, the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, and the Butterfly House.

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

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

Coffs Harbour has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants that cater to families, couples, and all types of vacations. There are quaint cafes as well as fine dining restaurants and the cuisine ranges from local seafood to modern Australian favorites, or international treats.

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 Coffs Harbour Better for Nightlife?

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

Coffs Harbour has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a vacation spot that attracts visitors who want to enjoy the evening activities. The Jetty Strip is popular for its nightlife scene, but you'll find no shortage of bars and pubs in other areas as well.

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 Coffs Harbour Better for Resorts?

Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour. There's a huge range of accommodation types in the area with everything from camping to luxury resorts. There are also budget-friendly hostels and family-friendly hotels.

Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Coffs Harbour Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Coffs Harbour is an excellent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Coffs Harbour. Scuba diving and snorkeling is popular in the area, as this is where the Solitary Islands Marine Park begins. The area sees a mix of the warm water from the Great Barrier Reef and the cooler waters from around Sydney, so the marine life is diverse. There are sheltered areas that offer snorkeling for all ages and you'll see a great mix of tropical and sub-tropical marine life, as well as both soft and hard corals.

Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Coffs Harbour Better for Beaches?

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

With world-famous beaches, Coffs Harbour is a very popular vacation destination. People come for the beaches, and they won't disappoint. You can enjoy everything from surfing, swimming, fishing, or simply walking and taking in the beauty. Popular beaches in the area include Emerald Beach, Woolgoolga, and the family-friendly Jetty Beach.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Coffs Harbour Better for Hiking?

You'll find superb hiking in both Dewa Sanzan and Coffs Harbour.

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.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Coffs Harbour. There are many national parks and natural areas nearby with excellent hiking and bush walks. The Coffs Creek Walk is a walking and biking path that's in town and connects the city center to many of the top sights that are nearby. Out of town, there's the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk, the Gumgali Track, Sherwood Nature Reserve and Ulidarra National Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Dewa Sanzan or Coffs Harbour?

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

Coffs Harbour is well-known for its shopping. The city has many shopping centers and markets where you can enjoy leisurely shopping or pick up any essentials that you may have forgotten.

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 Coffs Harbour Better for Families?

Coffs Harbour is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Coffs Harbour is one of the most popular family destinations. There are great beaches where kids can swim or learn to surf. There are also water parks, including the famous Big Banana Fun Park, as well as amusement parks, nature reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries. Kids and adults alike will enjoy going dolphin or whale watching, or putting on a mask and going snorkeling.

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 Coffs Harbour Better for Couples?

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

Coffs Harbour makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a beautiful city and a popular honeymoon destination. Couples will enjoy the impressive beaches and fun activities. There are places to explore nature as well as restaurants and fun evening activities. There's also great scuba diving and snorkeling at the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

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 Coffs Harbour Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour. There are a number of hostels around town as well as great water activities and a lively atmosphere, making this a nice stop off for backpackers.

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 Coffs Harbour Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find reasonable public transit in both Dewa Sanzan and Coffs Harbour.

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 Coffs Harbour. This is a very car dependent area and public transit is very limit. While there are buses, the area is spread out and you need the freedom of having your own vehicle to explore.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Coffs Harbour a more walkable city?

Dewa Sanzan is a decent place to visit for its walkability. However, Coffs Harbour is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

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

Coffs Harbour is not a walkable religious site. Most visitors arrive with a car and you'll struggle to fully experience the area if you don't have your own form of transportation.

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

Should I spend more time in Coffs Harbour or Dewa Sanzan?

How long in Dewa Sanzan or Coffs Harbour?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Coffs Harbour have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour.

One day in Dewa Sanzan or Coffs Harbour?

Many travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the remote destination of Dewa Sanzan. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the relaxing vacation town of Coffs Harbour. 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 Coffs Harbour?

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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Coffs Harbour. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This vacation 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 Coffs Harbour?

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the traditional destination of Dewa Sanzan. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This religious site offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the nature-filled vacation town of Coffs Harbour. 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 Coffs Harbour?

You'll find museums around the religious site of Dewa Sanzan. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Coffs Harbour. 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 vacation town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dewa Sanzan and Coffs Harbour, we can see that Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Dewa Sanzan or Coffs Harbour?

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

Both Coffs Harbour and Dewa Sanzan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking. Also, many visitors come to Coffs Harbour in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dewa Sanzan is generally around the same temperature as Coffs Harbourin January. Daily temperatures in Dewa Sanzan average around 23°C (74°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Coffs Harbour. Dewa Sanzan usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during summer. Dewa Sanzan gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 237 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. In July, Dewa Sanzan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Coffs Harbourin January. Dewa Sanzan gets 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?

Both Coffs Harbour and Dewa Sanzan during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the autumn for the hiking trails. Also, most visitors come to Coffs Harbour for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Dewa Sanzan is cooler than Coffs Harbour in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dewa Sanzan averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 20°C (67°F)in April.

In Coffs Harbour, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Dewa Sanzan often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin April. Dewa Sanzan gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 203 hours of full sun.

Coffs Harbour gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. Dewa Sanzan usually gets less rain in October than Coffs Harbourin April. Dewa Sanzan gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dewa Sanzan and Coffs Harbour. Most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dewa Sanzan can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Dewa Sanzan is much colder than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dewa Sanzan in January average around -1°C (30°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. Dewa Sanzan usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during winter. Dewa Sanzan gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 219 hours of full sun in the winter.

Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Dewa Sanzan usually receives more rain than Coffs Harbourin July. Dewa Sanzan gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dewa Sanzan as well as Coffs Harbour. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Coffs Harbour this time of year.

In April, Dewa Sanzan is generally much colder than Coffs Harbourin October. Daily temperatures in Dewa Sanzan average around 9°C (47°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. In the spring, Dewa Sanzan often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin October. Dewa Sanzan gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 257 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Coffs Harbour. Dewa Sanzan usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Coffs Harbourin October. Dewa Sanzan gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Dewa Sanzan