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

Should you visit Dewa Sanzan or Dunedin?

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 Dunedin can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a remote, traditional, and religious religious site. Other popular activities here include hiking and museums.

Dunedin

Dunedin is a vibrant, small, and hilly city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Dewa Sanzan and Dunedin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dewa Sanzan or Dunedin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dunedin. Although Dewa Sanzan and Dunedin are both popular with visitors, Dunedin has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dunedin is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Dewa Sanzan is known for its hiking. Dunedin is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is popular for its wildlife and proximity to the Otago Peninsula. It is also home to . Dewa Sanzan is popular for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Dewa Sanzan different from Dunedin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dunedin 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 Dunedin specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has cultural scene that is centered around both Scottish and Maori heritage. Top sights around town include the Larnach Castle, the Dunedin Railway Station, Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, and the Otago 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 Dewa Sanzan or Dunedin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Dunedin has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The culinary scene in town continues to grow and improve. There are local eateries that have charm and character and serve interesting and local dishes.

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 Dunedin Better for Nightlife?

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

Dunedin has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The town has eclectic bars and a diverse club scene that is fun to experience. It has a lively nightlife scene that is driven, in part, by the large student population.

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 Dunedin Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Dunedin to enjoy the beach. Many of the beaches are just a short drive from the city center. The surf is surprisingly good and the beaches are fun during the warmer summer months.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Dunedin Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is well known for its hiking experiences. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Dunedin. There are biking and hiking trails that travel around town and through the surrounding landscapes.

Is the Shopping Better in Dewa Sanzan or Dunedin?

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

Dunedin is well-known for its shopping. The shopping scene is diverse and eclectic with everything from vintage shops to fashion boutiques. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Edinburgh Way, Octagon Entertainment Precinct, Moray Place, and the Warehouse Precinct.

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 Dunedin Better for Families?

Dunedin 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, Dunedin is very family-friendly. It's one of the largest cities on the South Island, and there are many educational opportunities and unique experiences available to kids. You can visit the Otago Museum or the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, take a wildlife cruise, or visit the Larnach Castle. You can also take a ride on the Inlander or simply hang out at a playground.

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 Dunedin Better for Couples?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Dunedin 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.

Dunedin is a good religious site for couples to visit. You can wander through the castle or explore one of the city's markets. There are also romantic restaurants and many opportunities to see wildlife.

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

Dunedin 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 Dunedin. There are many hostels around town and plenty of activities that keep backpackers entertained.

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 Dunedin Better for Students?

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

Dunedin is very popular with students. This is a large student city that is welcoming to international students and a popular place to study.

Dewa Sanzan is not popular with students.

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

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

Dunedin has some public transit options. There a relatively decent bus system that travels through town.

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 Dunedin a more walkable city?

Dunedin 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.

Dunedin is a very walkable city. Parts of the town are easy to explore on foot.

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 Dunedin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dunedin or Dewa Sanzan?

How long in Dewa Sanzan or Dunedin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dewa Sanzan and Dunedin. In our opinion, Dunedin has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Dunedin than Dewa Sanzan. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Dewa Sanzan, and 1-3 days is enough time in Dunedin.

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

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

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

One day in Dewa Sanzan or Dunedin?

In Dewa Sanzan, you'll find museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This religious site offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Dewa Sanzan or Dunedin?

In Dewa Sanzan, you'll find museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dewa Sanzan has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Dunedin. This 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 Dunedin?

Dewa Sanzan is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The hilly city of Dunedin 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.

A week in Dewa Sanzan or Dunedin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dewa Sanzan. Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Dewa Sanzan. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dunedin. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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