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

Should you visit Dewa Sanzan or Wollongong?

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 Wollongong 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.

Wollongong

Wollongong is a vibrant, student-friendly, and trendy coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Dewa Sanzan and Wollongong: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dewa Sanzan or Wollongong?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Wollongong. Although Dewa Sanzan and Wollongong are both popular with visitors, Wollongong has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Wollongong is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Dewa Sanzan is known for its hiking. Wollongong is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is known for its surrounding nature and urban beaches. It is also home to Grand Pacific Drive. Dewa Sanzan is popular for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Dewa Sanzan different from Wollongong?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Wollongong 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 Wollongong specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are several museums like the Wollongong Science Centre and Wollongong Planetarium and the railway museum Trainworks. There's also the Illawarra Museum, which is housed in the former post and telegraph office.

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 Wollongong? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Wollongong has a huge number of terrific restaurants. In recent years a younger crowd of entrepreneurs and self-starters has moved into the city, and with them has come a growing food scene. You'll find local cafes, fine dining restaurants, and many great beachfront restaurants where you can dine.

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 Wollongong Better for Nightlife?

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

Wollongong has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene has seen a revitalization in recent years, and in addition to the standard bars and pubs, you'll find local venues that range from quirky to lively.

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 Wollongong Better for Beaches?

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

Wollongong is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are urban beaches, as well as more hidden coastal areas that attract locals and visitors alike. In the heart of the city you'll find North Wollongong Beach and Wollongong City Beach, both of which have picnic areas and are popular with locals.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Wollongong Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is great for hiking. Also, Wollongong 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Wollongong. The surrounding area has many great hikes that can be done as a day trip or even a half day trip. There are waterfalls, city views, and forest walks. Some of the most popular trails include Brokers Nose and Clover Hill Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Dewa Sanzan or Wollongong?

Wollongong is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Wollongong. The most popular shopping area is Wollongong Central Shopping Centre, which has international brands and all of the big fashion names.

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 Wollongong Better for Families?

Wollongong 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, Wollongong is very family-friendly. The beaches, nearby nature, and ubiquitous bike trails make this a fun coastal city to explore with kids. There are also interactive museums such as Discovery Space and plenty of playgrounds. Kid-friendly surf lessons as well as the Nan Tien Temple make this a fun and fascinating family destination.

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 Wollongong Better for Couples?

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

Wollongong makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The scenic natural areas, including the Grand Pacific Drive or the many bush walks, make this a wonderful couples retreat. There are water sports like surfing as well as horseback riding and even helicopter rides. In the evening, enjoy a nice meal and a sunset view.

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 Wollongong Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dewa Sanzan and Wollongong are both good destinations for backpackers.

Dewa Sanzan is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Wollongong. There are a couple of hostels as well as many outdoor areas to explore, so backpackers who want to escape the traditional backpacker scene will appreciate some time here.

Is Dewa Sanzan or Wollongong Better for Students?

Wollongong is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Wollongong. It's not too far from Sydney and has a smaller, more laid back coastal vibe that appeals to many students.

Dewa Sanzan is not popular with students.

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

Wollongong 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.

Wollongong has some very good public transit options. There's a free Gong shuttle bus that travels around the city center. It runs a loop from Wollongong Station to Wollongong University in both directions. There are also other bus services in 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 Wollongong a more walkable city?

Wollongong 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.

Wollongong is a very walkable coastal city. There are walking paths in the city center so it's possible to walk to many tourist destinations.

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 Wollongong Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wollongong or Dewa Sanzan?

How long in Dewa Sanzan or Wollongong?

It's fun to spend time in either Dewa Sanzan or Wollongong. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Wollongong due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Dewa Sanzan, and 2-4 days is enough time in Wollongong.

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

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

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

One day in Dewa Sanzan or Wollongong?

With museums around the remote 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 nightlife and food when visiting the student-friendly coastal city of Wollongong. 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 Wollongong?

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 food and shopping when visiting the trendy destination of Wollongong. 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 Wollongong?

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.

The vibrant coastal city of Wollongong offers shopping and museums. 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 Wollongong?

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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wollongong. 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 Luxury Tours to Japan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.

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

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

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

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

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wollongong this time of the year. Dewa Sanzan usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during summer. Dewa Sanzan gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Dewa Sanzan usually receives more rain than Wollongongin January. Dewa Sanzan gets 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Wollongong in the Autumn?

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

In October, Dewa Sanzan is generally cooler than Wollongongin April. Daily temperatures in Dewa Sanzan average around 13°C (56°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Dewa Sanzan often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin April. Dewa Sanzan gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun.

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Dewa Sanzan usually gets more rain in October than Wollongongin April. Dewa Sanzan gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Wollongong in the Winter?

Both Wollongong 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 Wollongong 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 Wollongong in the winter. The daily temperature in Dewa Sanzan averages around -1°C (30°F) in January, and Wollongong fluctuates around 10°C (50°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Wollongong. Dewa Sanzan usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during winter. Dewa Sanzan gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. In January, Dewa Sanzan usually receives more rain than Wollongongin July. Dewa Sanzan gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dewa Sanzan or Wollongong in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Dewa Sanzan is much colder than Wollongong. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dewa Sanzan in April average around 9°C (47°F), and Wollongong averages at about 17°C (63°F)in October.

In Wollongong, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Dewa Sanzan often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin October. Dewa Sanzan gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun.

Dewa Sanzan usually gets more rain in April than Wollongongin October. Dewa Sanzan gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Dewa Sanzan