A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park vs. Dunedin for Hiking, Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a majestic, dramatic, and iconic national park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include hiking and museums.

Dunedin

Dunedin is a hilly, cultural, and vibrant city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Dunedin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dunedin. Although Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Dunedin are popular destinations, Dunedin has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dunedin is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is more touristy than Dunedin and is popular for its iconic peak, pristine lakes, rugged coastline, and timeless forests. Dunedin is famous for its wildlife and proximity to the Otago Peninsula. It is also well known for .

How is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park different from Dunedin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dunedin and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Dunedin and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Due to its spiritual nature, there have been many shrines built at the base of Mount Fuji. You can visit the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha, which is one of the most significant. Hakone also has many art museums as well as the fascinating Hakone Open-Air Museum.

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.

Is the Food Better in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dunedin is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Dunedin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. If you're planning to climb Mount Fuji, you'll want to make reservations for meals at the mountain huts. Dinner is typically a curry rice and a take away breakfast is usually available that has simple ingredients.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin Better for Nightlife?

Dunedin is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife in Dunedin has something for everybody. 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin Better for Beaches?

Dunedin is a popular place for the beach. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a beach destination.

Dunedin is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin Better for Hiking?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

People visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There are hikes within each of the sections of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, but the most famous section is the area around the iconic Mount Fuji. The climbing season is between July and mid September and there are four main trails that lead to the summit. You can take a bus to the Fifth Station and pick up any of the trails at that point. There are also mountain huts where you may take a rest or spend the night. In the Hakone area, you'll find hot springs and several popular trails such as the Hakone Ropeway and the Mount Kamiyama and Mount Komagatake Trail. The Izu Peninsula is known for its dramatic coastline, rugged cliffs, and beautiful waterfalls. Finally, the Izu Islands are a string of islands that can be reached by ferry.

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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin?

Dunedin is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Dunedin. 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.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. As Japan's most visited national park, you'll find many trails and activities for families. There are a number of kid-friendly hiking trails, as well as nature courses and educational programs.

Dunedin is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin Better for Couples?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is well known for couples. Also, Dunedin is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The park is an iconic setting, and couples who enjoy nature will appreciate the forested setting with its waterfalls, lava caves, and stunning natural beauty. The park has beautiful sweeping views that will take your breath away.

Dunedin is a nice destination for couples. 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Dunedin are high quality places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Because it's a popular tourist destination, transportation to and from the park is relatively easy. There are also a number of amenities and resources available that will help backpackers enjoy their trip.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Dunedin. There are many hostels around town and plenty of activities that keep backpackers entertained.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin Better for Students?

Dunedin is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not popular with students.

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

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not popular with students.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Dunedin both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are train and bus systems within the park that connect the different sections. In the Mount Fuji area, buses leave from the Kawaguchiko and Fujisan Stations. Transportation may take longer than you expect, so it's best to plan accordingly.

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

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin a more walkable city?

Dunedin is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its walkability.

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

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is somewhat walkable. There are countless hiking trails throughout the park that give you access to the region's natural beauty.

For even more information, also check out Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Dunedin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dunedin or Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park?

How long in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Dunedin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park than in Dunedin. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, and 1-3 days is enough time in Dunedin.

Families should spend more time in Dunedin than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dunedin than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin?

In Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, you'll find museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This national park offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The cultural destination of Dunedin offers shopping and museums. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin?

In Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, 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. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dunedin. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dunedin has to offer.

Five days in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin?

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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.

Dunedin is a fun place to experience. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Dunedin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the small city of Dunedin. It offers something for everyone. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Dunedin, we can see that Dunedin is more expensive. And not only is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park 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 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Expensive? and Is Dunedin Expensive?.