A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Hiroshima vs. Dewa Sanzan for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hiroshima and Dewa Sanzan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a memorable, meaningful, and park-filled city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a traditional, religious, and sacred religious site. Other reasons to visit include hiking and museums.

Hiroshima and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hiroshima. Although Hiroshima and Dewa Sanzan are popular destinations, Hiroshima has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hiroshima is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Dewa Sanzan attracts visitors for its hiking. Hiroshima is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is known for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation. It is also well known for Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Dewa Sanzan is famous for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Hiroshima different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dewa Sanzan and Hiroshima. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan?

Hiroshima is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Hiroshima are world-renowned. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the world's first nuclear attack. The park also serves as a sight to promote long term peace. In the park you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the Flame of Peace. Other sights in Hiroshima include the Itsukushima shrine, the Hiroshima Castle, and Mitaki-dera Temple.

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 Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Hiroshima has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local dishes that you'll find in restaurants around town. Some of the best dining areas are around Hiroshima Station and in downtown Hiroshima. Make sure you try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the local oysters, and tsukemen.

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 Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Hiroshima is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Hiroshima. The city has many hidden pubs and traditional Japanese bars. The most vibrant nightlife scene is in the Chugoku-Shikoku district, particularly around Nagarekawa Street.

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 Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is a great religious site for hiking. However, Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

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.

Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan?

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

Hiroshima is well-known for its shopping. There are outlet malls as well as morning markets, that make for interesting shopping. Head to old Sanyodo Road to shop where the locals shop and for international brands head to Hondori Central Shopping District.

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 Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Hiroshima is very good for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Hiroshima is a family-friendly city. Tragedy often comes to mind when you think of this city, as it was the sight of the first atomic bomb detonation. Older kids will learn a lot from a visit, but it may be a bit overwhelming for younger kids. There are still many things to do with kids of all ages in the city though, such as feeding the koi fish at Shukeien Park or visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly city. 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 Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Both Hiroshima and Dewa Sanzan are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Hiroshima is a nice destination for couples. There is plenty of nature and green space in the city. Couples will enjoy visiting the Hiroshima Castle or wandering through the gardens such as Shukkeien or the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

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.

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

For backpackers, both Hiroshima and Dewa Sanzan are nice places to visit.

Hiroshima is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are many hostels around town and plenty of things to see an do.

Plenty of backpackers 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 Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima has some very good public transit options. There's a good tram and streetcar network around town as well as a ferry connecting the city to Miyajima Island. There are also buses around 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 Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima is a very walkable city. If you base yourself in downtown Hiroshima, you can explore many areas 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 Hiroshima Worth Visiting? and Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Hiroshima?

How long in Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hiroshima and Dewa Sanzan. In our opinion, Hiroshima has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Hiroshima than Dewa Sanzan. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the memorable city of Hiroshima. Most people visit for the museums. 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.

You'll find museums around the religious site of Dewa Sanzan. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the park-filled destination of Hiroshima. 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.

You'll find museums around the religious destination of Dewa Sanzan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this religious site has to offer. This religious site offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan?

The park-filled city of Hiroshima 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.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the remote religious site of Dewa Sanzan. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Hiroshima. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the museums. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, The Best Cultural Tours in Japan, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hiroshima and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Hiroshima is more expensive. And not only is Dewa Sanzan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Hiroshima would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima Expensive? and Is Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hiroshima and Dewa Sanzan. Many visitors come to Hiroshima in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking during these months.

In the summer, Hiroshima is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hiroshima in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 23°C (74°F).

Hiroshima usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during summer. Hiroshima gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hiroshima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hiroshima usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Hiroshima gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hiroshima as well as Dewa Sanzan. Most visitors come to Hiroshima for the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the hiking trails.

In October, Hiroshima is generally a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Hiroshima average around 17°C (63°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Hiroshima often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Hiroshima gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Hiroshima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hiroshima usually gets less rain in October than Dewa Sanzan. Hiroshima gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Hiroshima are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Hiroshima because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year.

It's quite cold in Dewa Sanzan in the winter. The weather in Hiroshima can be very cold. Hiroshima is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the winter. The daily temperature in Hiroshima averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

Hiroshima usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dewa Sanzan during winter. Hiroshima gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. In January, Hiroshima usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Hiroshima gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hiroshima or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Hiroshima during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Hiroshima is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hiroshima in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Hiroshima often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dewa Sanzan. Hiroshima gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hiroshima. Hiroshima usually gets more rain in April than Dewa Sanzan. Hiroshima gets 168 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Hiroshima