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

Should you visit Dewa Sanzan or Gold Coast?

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 Gold Coast 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.

Gold Coast

Gold Coast is a high energy, fun-filled, and glamourous coastline. 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.

Dewa Sanzan and Gold Coast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dewa Sanzan or Gold Coast?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Gold Coast. Although Dewa Sanzan and Gold Coast are both popular with visitors, Gold Coast has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Gold Coast is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is known for its colorful theme parks, thrilling water sports, and nearby rainforests. It is also home to the long sandy beaches. Dewa Sanzan is popular for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Dewa Sanzan different from Gold Coast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The views from the observation deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa are a not-to-be-missed experience. You'll also find many amusement parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the area.

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 Gold Coast? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Gold Coast has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The coastline is filled with modern Australian restaurants that serve locally caught seafood and modern twists on traditional dishes. There are wine bars, fine dining restaurants, and more casual options. You'll also find plenty of international eateries as well.

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 Gold Coast Better for Nightlife?

Gold Coast is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Gold Coast is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The nightlife scene is filled with ritz and glam, but you'll also find wild beach parties and lively nightclubs. There are backpackers and students that keep the parties going until the morning hours.

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 Gold Coast Better for Resorts?

Gold Coast is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Gold Coast is a perfect choice. Resorts range from family-friendly to backpacker-focused with everything in between. There are many high rise resorts that have luxury pools and beachfront views.

Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Gold Coast Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast. There are many dive shops and snorkeling excursions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, there are excursions that will not disappoint. There are also many places that offer certification courses.

Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Gold Coast Better for Beaches?

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

With world-famous beaches, Gold Coast is a very popular vacation destination. This stretch of beachline is perfect for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. There are miles of coastline that are sandy and beautiful and some of the most popular beaches include the Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Gold Coast Better for Hiking?

You'll find great hiking in both Dewa Sanzan and Gold Coast.

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 Gold Coast. The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk connects the area's diverse and lush rainforests through the Numinbah Valley. It's a World Heritage Area with subtropical rainforest as well as warm temperate rainforest, and Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest.

Is the Shopping Better in Dewa Sanzan or Gold Coast?

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

Gold Coast is well-known for its shopping. There are large outlet malls, outdoor markets, and designer shopping centers. You'll find trendy fashion designers as well as the typical souvenir shops.

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 Gold Coast Better for Families?

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

Gold Coast is one of the most popular family destinations. It's filled with popular theme parks and other adrenaline-filled activities. There are surfing lessons, wildlife sanctuaries, ropes courses, and water sports. Kids of all ages will appreciate this fun-filled setting with its many family-friendly resorts and restaurants.

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 Gold Coast Better for Couples?

Gold Coast is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Gold Coast has plenty to offer. Couples that energy high energy activities, water sports, theme parks, and parties that last into the morning, will love a stay at this vibrant coast. There's no shortage of great restaurants, entertaining shows, and fun activities that you can experience.

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 Gold Coast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Gold Coast is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Gold Coast is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers flock to this vibrant coastline. There are hostels and budget-friendly places to stay, and there's a huge nightlife scene. The many activities and long sandy beaches make this a well established stop on Australia's backpacker circuit.

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 Gold Coast Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Gold Coast is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its public transit.

Gold Coast has some very good public transit options. There's a bus, train, and tram network that's operated by TransLink and runs along the coast.

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 Gold Coast a more walkable city?

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

Gold Coast is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of the area that can be explored 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 Gold Coast Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Gold Coast or Dewa Sanzan?

How long in Dewa Sanzan or Gold Coast?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast.

One day in Dewa Sanzan or Gold Coast?

With museums around the sacred religious site of Dewa Sanzan, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the fun-filled coastline of Gold Coast. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Gold Coast?

With museums around the destination of Dewa Sanzan, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this religious site.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Gold Coast. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This coastline 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 Gold Coast?

Dewa Sanzan, a popular religious site, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the high energy coastline of Gold Coast. 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 Gold Coast?

Dewa Sanzan is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Gold Coast. 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. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this coastline.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia.

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

When is the best time to visit Dewa Sanzan or Gold Coast?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dewa Sanzan and Gold Coast. Most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Gold Coast because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

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

Gold Coast 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 Gold Coastin January. Dewa Sanzan gets 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Gold Coast in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dewa Sanzan as well as Gold Coast. The autumn months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the hiking trails. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Gold Coast this time of year.

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

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

It's quite rainy in Gold Coast. Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Dewa Sanzan usually gets more rain in October than Gold Coastin April. Dewa Sanzan gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Gold Coast in the Winter?

Both Gold Coast and Dewa Sanzan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Gold Coast for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Dewa Sanzan in the winter. Dewa Sanzan is much colder than Gold Coast in the winter. The daily temperature in Dewa Sanzan averages around -1°C (30°F) in January, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Gold Coast. Dewa Sanzan usually receives less sunshine than Gold Coast during winter. Dewa Sanzan gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Gold Coast 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 Gold Coastin July. Dewa Sanzan gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Gold Coast in the Spring?

Both Gold Coast and Dewa Sanzan during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Gold Coast in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

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

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

Gold Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dewa Sanzan usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Gold Coastin October. Dewa Sanzan gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Gold Coast and Dewa Sanzan