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

Should you visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Te Anau?

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

Should I visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Te Anau? 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 world renowned, majestic, and dramatic national park. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking and museums. See Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park travel costs.

Te Anau

Te Anau is a stunning, pristine, and breathtaking town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. Many visitors also come to Te Anau because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the food and hiking. See Te Anau travel costs.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Te Anau: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Te Anau. Although Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Te Anau are both popular with visitors, Te Anau has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Te Anau is more popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and small town charm, while Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is known for its museums and attractions. Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is popular for its iconic peak, pristine lakes, rugged coastline, and timeless forests. Te Anau is popular for being the gateway to Fiordland National Park. It is also home to Te Anau Glowworm Caves.

How is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park different from Te Anau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. 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.

Te Anau offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The town is about the surrounding outdoor activities but you will find the Te Anau Vintage Machinery Museum and the Te Anau Trout Observatory in town.

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

Te Anau is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Te Anau has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town makes a great spot to refuel after all of your hiking and outdoor adventures. There are plenty of cafes and food trucks around town where you can enjoy local dishes and a friendly atmosphere.

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 Te Anau Better for Nightlife?

Te Anau is adequate for its evening party scene. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not known for nightlife.

Te Anau doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. This is a small town that's focused on outdoor activities, but it does receive a number of tourists, so you'll find a few bars around town where you can hang out.

People don't go to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for the nightlife.

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

If you're looking to go hiking, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Te Anau both have terrific trails.

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 visit Te Anau specifically for its hiking. The town serves as basecamp for Fiordland National Park so there are many amazing hikes and walks in the area. Many of the hikes begin at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and range in length and the required skill level.

Is the Shopping Better in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Te Anau?

Te Anau is adequate for its shopping areas. However, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Te Anau has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are shops where you can pick up any outdoor supplies and food items that you may need.

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

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Te Anau More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of terrific scenery and beauty in both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Te Anau.

Many visitors also come to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park because of it's amazing beauty. The national park is home to the world renowned Mount Fuji. This volcanic peak provides a striking backdrop for the region and has long been a spiritual retreat. Within the park you'll find pristine forest, dramatic lava caves, and timeless beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Te Anau as well. The town is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, world class national parks, and spectacular views.

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

Te Anau is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Te Anau is a very family-friendly destination. The town's proximity to the Milford Sound make it a nice base for families who enjoy spending time outdoors. Kayaking or exploring the Te Anau Glowworm Caves are favorite activities in the area. There's also the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary and many hikes nearby.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

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

Te Anau is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for romance.

Te Anau makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The stunning scenery in the area, combined with small town charm, make this is a top couple's destination and a wonderful honeymoon spot. Couples who appreciate nature and outdoor adventure will fall in love with this amazing area.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Te Anau Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Te Anau are excellent 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 Te Anau. For such a small town, there are a decent number of hostels and budget accommodation options in the area. The town makes a good base for exploring the region's stunning scenery.

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

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a national park with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park has some public transit options. 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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Te Anau. Public transit in the area is limited and most visitors have their own car or join one of the many tours in the area.

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

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a national park with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Te Anau is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

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

Te Anau is generally not very walkable. Exploring the area requires a vehicle and, while there are many hikes in the area, it's not easy to walk to many places. There are tours available for those that don't have a vehicle.

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

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

How long in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Te Anau?

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

Families should spend more time in Te Anau than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Te Anau, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Te Anau than Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Te Anau that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Te Anau?

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.

Even though Te Anau is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. This town 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 Te Anau?

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 Te Anau. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Te Anau has to offer.

Five days in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Te Anau?

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.

Te Anau is a fun place to experience. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Anyone can find something fun to do here. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park or Te Anau?

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.

Te Anau is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It offers something for everyone. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 comparing the travel costs between Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and Te Anau, we can see that Te Anau is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is in Asia and Te Anau is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Te Anau Expensive?.